Latin name: Humulus lupulus
Common name(s): Beer Flower, Flores de Cerveza, Hops
Hops are used in the brewing of some beers and have a distinct flavor as well as aroma. It can be put inside a pillow to produce a non drug induced sleep and it has also been known to calm the nerves and also to prevent nightmares. Hops have been used to treat jaundice and it has been known to increase bile secretion.
Hops will help to tone up the gallbladder and liver. Hops serves to calm and relieve muscle spasms as well as reduce fevers too. Hops have successfully been used to decrease the desire for alcohol. You can use hops as a poultice to soothe boils, inflammations, relieve pain from facial neuralgias, rheumatism, toothache and sciatica. Hops works to clean the liver of toxins and it also works to increase the tone of stomach muscles.
Hops is an antibacterial, anodyne, anti-spasmodic, aromatic, bitter, calmative, cholagogue, diuretic, febrifuge, nervine, parasiticide, sedative, soporific, stomachic and tonic. The parts of Hops that are used in herbal healing are the female flowers, leaves, oil and shoots. Hops are an aromatic bitter herb that relieves pain and insomnia according to ‘Herbs & Things’ by Jeanne Rose.
Hops are a twining, herbaceous climbing plant that has bristly stems. The leaves are lobed and are coarsely toothed. It blooms male and female flowers. The male flowers are produced in branched clusters and they are tiny flowers which are green in color. The female flowers are produced in strobili under soft aromatic bracts that are pale green in color. The flowers bloom in the summer.
Hops are used to relieve anxiety, tension, irritability, nervous intestinal disorders and priapism. Hops are also used to treat premature ejaculation. It is used to treat skin conditions such as eczema, herpes, leg ulcers and other skin infections. You can combine hops with valerian to make a good sedative to treat insomnia.
Hops are used as the main flavoring ingredient in beer. The extract of oil is used in the flavoring of foods and soft drinks. It is used in perfumes as well. Dried hops are put into pillows to sleep on to help induced sleep.
Hops can be used to treat any of the following:
Alcoholism, anxiety, appetite stimulant, bedwetting, bronchitis, coughs, cramps, delirium tremens, depression, digestion, dizziness, earaches, fevers, gas, gonorrhea, headaches, heart conditions, hoarseness, hyperactivity, hysteria, indigestion, insomnia, jaundice, leg cramps, liver congestion, menstruation, morning sickness, colitis, nervousness, neuralgia, pain, restless, rheumatism, ringworm, sexual desires, shock, sleeplessness, stomach disorders, toothache, ulcers, urinary tract infections, water retention and worms.