hop

Latin name: Humulus lupulus

genus: Mulberry family / hemp family

Common names: Beer hops, wild hops, hops

Plant description

Wire-haired creeper, female and male specimens reach a height of 5 meters. For both beer brewing and medicinal use, only the female plants are important and are cultivated. The so-called hop cones form from the inflorescences.
Heyday: Summer.
Occurrence: Widespread in our cultures, but can also be found wild in moist bushes and on banks.

Plant parts used medicinally

The female flowers (hop cones), but also the hop glands or lupulin glands which are located on the cone cover leaves and the front leaves of the individual inflorescences. The female inflorescences are harvested in late summer shortly before they are mature so that the glandular scales do not fall off during harvest. It is then dried again.

ingredients

The bitter substances humulone and lupulone, essential oil, resins, minerals, flavonoids.

Medicinal effect and application

The tanning and bitter substances have an appetizing effect. Applied to nervous stomach discomfort. Hops have a calming effect nervousness, Difficulty falling asleep and mild depression, Restlessness and Anxiety.

preparation

Hop blossom tea: Pour ¼ l of boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoons of hops, let it steep for 15 minutes, then strain. A cup twice a day as calming tea or half an hour before going to bed as a sleeping tea.

Combination with other medicinal plants

A mixture of hop blossoms and valerian root has proven itself to treat nervousness and sleep disorders. Mix the two plants in a ratio of 1 part hops and 3 parts valerian root. 1 teaspoon of this mixture is poured over with a large cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 5 minutes, strain and drink well and warm half an hour before going to bed.
In the case of nervous stomach problems, mix 1 part hops and 1 part caraway seeds and prepare the tea as described above.

Application in homeopathy

Here, too, the hops are known as Humulus lupulus, used as a good sedative or for nervous stomach problems.

Side effects

There are no known side effects.