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 Herbal
Glossary | Medicinal Glossary
| Herbal PreparationsHops
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedStrobiles (female flowers, leafy cone-like catkins)
Description of Plant(s) and CultureThe hop vine is a perennial fast-growing, twining, climbing plant. Many angular, rough, prickly, stems grow up to 20 feet long from a branched rootstock. The leaves are rough, opposite, cordate, serrate, and 3 to Partial shade to full sun. Requires deep, rich soil. Can be invasive. Where FoundWild in many places in the world but mostly cultivated in the United States. Found wild in woods from Nova Scotia to Manitoba and Montana, south to North Carolina and Arizona. Commercially grown in California.
Wild common hop is native to China, Japan, and many other islands.
Medicinal PropertiesAnodyne (relieves pain), anthelmintic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, soporific, tonic, anaphrodisiac, stomachic
Biochemical InformationAsparagine, choline, humulene, inositol, lupulin, lupulinic acid, lupulon, manganese, essential oil, valerianic acid, tannins, estrogenic substances, bitter principle, flavonoids, PABA, picric acids, resin, and Legends, Myths and StoriesThe word hops is taken from the Anglo-Saxon hoppen meaning "to climb" because the twining perennial plant attached itself to neighboring objects and grows to a great height. The botanical name Humulus is derived from humus or moist earth, the type of soil the plant thrives in best. The active principle is lupulin, a glandular powder. The volatile oil is responsible for the peculiar fragrant odor. The resemblance of its conelike catkins to a grapevine may have first drawn attention to the hop as a plant suitable for making beverages. The ancients used hops in beer; records of the Jews' captivity in Babylon refer to a strong drink make from hops that was said to prevent leprosy. To the ancient Romans the hop was a garden plant: Pliny says the young shoots of hops were eaten as a salad in the spring. Apparently, the hop grew wild among willows and, with its aggressive weedlike growth, had an effect on the willows comparable to a wolf among sheep, so the Romans called it lupus salictarius. Linnaeus used this tradition when he gave the plant its scientific name, Humulus lupulus. Originally, used in ale as a preservative. Hops give beer its pleasantly bitter taste, improve its ability to keep well, and give it certain sedative qualities. Pillows stuffed with hops are traditional cure for insomnia: King George III and Abraham Lincoln used such pillows in the search for much-needed rest. The female flower, which resembles a globe artichoke, is the part used by brewers. The drowsy feeling after drinking beer is due to the hops content. Hops contain a high amount of estrogen and, as a result, too much beer can lead to loss of libido in men. Hops steeped in Sherry wine makes an excellent stomachic cordial. In Sweden a coarse yarn and paper are made from Hop stalks. The leaves and flowers are used to make a fine brown dye.
UsesHops will produce sleep when nothing else will. It has been used to decrease the desire for alcohol. Relieves delirium tremens. Hops has a calming effect on the nervous system. Hop tea is recommended for nervous diarrhea, neuralgia, and restlessness. Helps stimulate appetite, dispel flatulence, boils, headache, toothache, earaches, pain, nervous tension and stress, jaundice, kills worms, mucus colitis, gonorrhea, ulcers, poor circulation, blood purifier, inflamed rheumatic joints, muscles cramps, neuritis, neuralgia, shock, and relieve intestinal cramps. Combined with valerian (for antispasmodic properties) for coughs. A cold tea, taken A hop pillow is a popular method of overcoming insomnia. Young tips and leaves can be used as a green vegetable.
Formulas or DosagesHop is a delicate herb and should be used fresh or freshly tinctured. Infusion: use 1 tbsp. in Tea: 2 or 3 cups should be taken hot. (for restful sleep) Tincture: 10-30 drops.
Nutrient Contentvitamin B6
How SoldBeer Capsules: take 1, up to 3 times daily Dried herb: mix 1 tsp. in WarningExcessive doses or prolonged use can have detrimental effects and should be avoided. Handling plant often causes dermatitis. Dislodged hairs may irritate eyes. Hops is a mild depressant and should be avoided in depression. Do not exceed recommended doses.
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