Description
Botanical: Humulus lupulus
Other common names: Hop Bine, Strobile
Hops have an extremely calming effect on the body. Use of Hops is an old-fashioned (and effective) way to relieve insomnia and anxiety when nervous tension takes its toll. Hops can also stimulate gastric juices to soothe the digestive tract and ease cramps and pain. Hops' phytohormones may be helpful for menopausal symptoms related to reduced estrogen, and its rich silicon content may help improve bone health.
Country of Origin: United States
Beneficial Uses:
Hops are used as an effective sedative and considered remarkable in cases of insomnia. Ageing the strobiles for two years allows two of the herb's chemical compounds, humulone and lupulone, to create a substance that is chemically similar to chlordiazepoxide, substances that are included in both Libriumand Valium.
Used as a nervine and tonic, Hops has a calming effect on the entire body. It is said to have a soothing effect on the nervous system that is helpful in managing restlessness, anxiety, stress, nervous diarrhea, hyperactivity, fits, delirium tremens and, of course, insomnia.
Hops are considered to have anodyne qualities and have been used both internally and externally for centuries to alleviate aches, pains, cramps and spasms. As an herbal pain reliever, Hops are often used to relieve stomach cramps, earache, neuralgia and toothache.
Very important and ongoing research has proven the hormonal properties that Hops were thought to possess historically. Hops are believed to have estrogenic activity, and laboratory studies have indicated that some chemicals in it bind to estrogen receptors, helping to manage symptoms of menopause and other problems related to lack of estrogen production in women.
Hops possess antiseptic qualities that can counteract bacteria. As such, the herb has been used to kill intestinal parasites (worms) and manage gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. When used externally, Hops are included in poultices that are effective against inflammation, boils, tumors, old chronic ulcers, herpes, eczema, wounds, leg ulcers and painful swellings.
As a tonic for the liver, Hops are thought to increase the flow of bile, and the herb was used historically for liver afflictions, such as jaundice.
Hops are used as a diuretic and believed to relieve water retention and excess uric acid.
Contraindications:
Pregnant women should not take Hops, nor should people who suffer from depression, since the herb is thought to be a mild depressant on the higher nerve centers. Do not exceed recommended doses, and Hops should not be taken for more than a few days in succession. Since there appears to be photo estrogenic activity in Hops, it is recommended that the herb not be taken in combination with medicines such as oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy; and children who have not reached puberty should not take Hops.
Women with estrogen-sensitive disorders, especially estrogen dependent breast cancer should avoid this herb. Use of Hops increases the potency of anesthetics, anxiety drugs, anticonvulsive and insomnia medications and should not be taken without first consulting a physician. Do not use Hops if you drink alcohol or use medicines containing alcohol.
