HerbTalk November 2002 Hops

http://www.HerbalHomeRemedies.com

'Hops transmuted our wholesome ale into beer...This one ingredient... preserves the drink indeed, but repays the pleasure in tormenting diseases and a shorter life.' John Evelyn, 1670

INSIDE: - Herbfacts: Hops - Healing Benefits - How to Use Hops - Hops Sleep Pillow Recipe

I. HERBFACTS: HOPS

Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a perennial climbing vine of the hemp family. The species name lupulus comes from the Latin word for wolf (lupus), as Pliny explains: "it strangles [trees] by its light, climbing embraces, as the wolf does a sheep". The common name Hops is derived from the old Anglo-Saxon version "hoppan" which means "climb". Native to Britain, Hops are cultivated in Europe, in the Americas and in Australia.

The plant has angular stems that twine around trees, growing up to 20 feet long. The long stem is tough and flexible, and was once used to make rope, cloth, paper and baskets. The dark green leaves are heart- shaped and coarsely toothed. Both the male and the female plants have yellow-green flowers. The male flowers are arranged in loose, hanging bunches. The female flowers are densely clustered with papery green cones. After flowering, these cones form small, soft fruits called strobiles. When the strobiles fully develop in July and August, they are covered with yellow resinous granules. This powder contains 10% of the medicine Lupulin. The strobiles and the Lupulin (separated out by shaking and sifting) are used medicinally.

Pliny mentioned Hops as a garden plant, its young shoots eaten like asparagus, as people still do in the English countryside. Beer brewers in Europe have been using Hops strobiles since at least the 11th century, though it was never included in traditional English ale. Henry VIII thought they induced melancholy and barred their use, calling Hops: 'a wicked weed that would spoil the taste of the drink and endanger the people'. Later, Edward VI granted privileges to Hop growers. The people gathering hops for beer production sometimes become abnormally sleepy while working. This "Hop-picker fatigue" occurs from release of volatile oils, and is perhaps how the sedative properties of the plant were discovered.

II. HEALING BENEFITS

Hops' volatile oil contains bitter acids that break down to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, a well-documented sedative. Tea made from Hops is beneficial for mood swings, stress and anxiety. Hops is a nervine, which means it calms the nerves, soothing excitability and reducing sensitivity to pain. Studies have shown Hops to be a hypnotic, promoting sleep without disturbing alertness.

The active component humulone strengthens and stimulates the stomach. Studies demonstrate it to be a powerful bitter, acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and to assist digestion. Hops tea brings relief to diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia and flatulence. Its soothing effect on the smooth muscles of the stomach reduces intestinal spasms and cramps.

Recent studies have shown humulone to be powerfully antiseptic and antibacterial. Hops works against several bacteria, including Staph, and some fungi (unfortunately, it does not act against the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections, or against the bacterium E. coli). Hops' diuretic action increases the flow of urine, further detoxifying the body to prevent infection.

Human studies in the past seven years show that Hops' bitter acids, humulone and lupulone, act against cancer. They work preventatively by scavenging cancer-causing free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Several studies demonstrate that humulone inhibits the growth of leukemia cells.

Hops strobiles contain tannins, flavonoid glycosides, polyphenols, anthocyanins, phytoestrogens and mucilage. Lupulin, the yellow powder mentioned above, contains a bitter acid complex consisting of humulone, lumulone, lupulone and valeronic acid. Lupulin's aromatic odor is due to a volatile oil, consisting primarily of the sesquiterpene humulene.

III. HOW TO USE HOPS

Make an Infusion (Hops tea): add 2 tsp. fresh or freshly-dried hops to 2 cups boiling water and let steep for ten minutes. For insomnia, take one cup of warm infusion before going to bed. A cup of cold infusion, also called "Hop Bitters", can be taken an hour before meals as an appetizer and to promote digestion. For other uses, take up to three cups daily.

Make a Compress: Soak a clean cotton pad in warm infusion, wring out the excess, and apply to ulcers, skin eruptions and wounds, bruises and boils. Hops is an astringent, contracting tissue to reduce secretions of mucous and fluid. A lukewarm infusion can treat swelling, inflammation and muscle pain.

Brewery workers who handle the growing plant report rare cases of contact dermatitis, fatigue, disrupted menstrual cycles and irritated eyes. These side effects are not reported when the herb is taken internally. Hops is a mild sedative and hallucinatory and should be avoided in depression. Avoid prolonged use or exceeding the stated dose. Hops lose their effectiveness rapidly as the resins oxidize, so they must be stored carefully. When buying hops, look for freshly dried fruits: they have a distinctly green color.

IV. HOPS SLEEP PILLOW RECIPE

Hops was used traditionally in dream pillows to induce sleep, for insomnia and nervousness. Cut a 5" x 5" piece of cotton or silk fabric into two pieces. Sew the two pieces together with the inside of the fabric on the outside, leaving one side open. Turn the pillow inside-out. Fill a muslin bag with freshly dried Hops that you have sprinkled with 12 ounce everclear. You can also add Chamomile, Yarrow and Lavender. Tie off the bag with a string, keeping in a flat shape. Place the bag inside your pillow and finish it by adding velcro to the open side of the pillow. Insert this pillow into your pillowcase. Every few months, replace the herbs and wash the cloth.

I hope you have enjoyed this issue of HerbTalk. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think may benefit from it. Be sure to include the copyright notice below: Copyright 2002 Thalia Cambouroglou. All rights reserved.