September 24, 2002

HOPS

Latin Name: Humulus lupulus

Alternate Names: Hop Bine, Ch-ku-tsao

Family: CANNABIDACEAE

Parts Used: Female inflorescence, called strobiles.

Properties: Anaphrodisiac, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Aperient, Bitter Tonic, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Phytoestrogenic, Emmenagogue, Galactagogue, Hypnotic, Muscle Relaxant, Nervine, Sedative, Soporific.

Internal Uses: Anorexia, Anxiety, Cough, Crohn's Disease, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Flatulence, Headache, Hysteria, Indigestion, Insomnia, Irritable Bowel, Leprosy, Pain, Restlessness, Stomachache, Stress, Tuberculosis

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

It helps coughs and diarrhea due to nerves. Hops helps a person sleep without causing a headache, and it also quiets excessive sexual desire, especially in men. Hops helps clear stagnation and toxins from the body. Humulone exhibits antibacterial properties.

Topical Uses: Boils, Cough, Cysts, Dandruff, Earaches, Headache, Rash, Toothache, Tumors, Wounds

Topical Applications: Hops can be made into a sachet and placed in ones pillowcase as a sleeping aid and nightmare preventive. Hops poultices are used to treat boils, cysts, rashes, wounds, headaches, earaches, toothaches, and tumors. When added to a salve it is used as a chest rub to quiet a cough (best mixed with Eucalyptus and Peppermint). Use as hair rinse for dandruff, in lotions for softening the skin, and as a bath herb for relaxation.

Culinary uses: The young shoots are blanched and eaten in the spring and also cooked like asparagus. It is used in making beer, where it acts as a preservative and also imparts a bitter flavor. However, some European beer makers were initially reluctant to use it, believing it to cause melancholy.

Energetics: Bitter, Cold, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Humulone, lupulinic acid, bitter principle (lupulin), essential oil, valerianic acid, flavonoids (quercitin, rutin), choline, phytoestrogens, tannin.

Contraindications: Avoid during pregnancy. Not for people suffering from depression. Fresh plant may cause contact dermatitis in some individuals. The tincture has a long shelf life, but the dried plant lasts for only six to eight months, so replace supplies as needed.

Comments: The word hops comes from hoppan, meaning 'to climb' in reference to Hops being a climbing vine. It can benefit a person that has a quarrelsome nature, always ready to pick a fight. The hormonal effects of Hops were noticed when female gatherers of the plants got their menstrual cycles early. Ancient Hebrews used Hops to deter the spread of the Bubonic Plague.

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), September 24, 2002

Answers

-- Cheryl in KS (klingonbunny@planetkc.com), September 24, 2002.