Chemical Constituents: The aromatic odor of the Hop strobiles is due to a
volatile oil, of which they yield about 0.3 to 1.0 per cent. It appears to
consist chiefly of the Humulene. Petroleum spirit extracts 7 to 14 per
cent of a powerfully antiseptic soft resin, and ether extracts a hard resin. The
petroleum spirit extract contains the two crystalline bitter principles (a)
Lupamaric acid (Humulone), (b) Lupamaric acid (Lupulinic acid).
Lupulin, which consists of the glandular powder present on the seeds and
surface of the scales. The drug occurs in a granular, brownish-yellow powder,
with the strong odor and bitter aromatic taste characteristic of Hops.
Other constituents are the two Lupamaric acids, choline and resin.
The female flower, which resembles a globe artichoke, is the part used by
brewers. The drowsy feeling after drinking beer is due to the hops content.
Hops contain a high amount of estrogen and, as a result, too much beer can
lead to loss of libido in men.
General Uses
Hops will produce sleep when nothing
else will. It has been used to decrease the desire for alcohol. Relieves
delirium tremens.
Fresh Hops possess a bitter aromatic taste and a strong characteristic odour.
Hop juice cleanses the blood, and for calculus trouble nothing better can be
found than the bitter principle of the Hop. A decoction of the root has been
esteemed as of equal benefit with Sarsaparilla.
Hops has a calming effect on the nervous system. Hop tea is
recommended for nervous diarrhea, neuralgia, and restlessness. Helps stimulate
appetite, dispel flatulence, boils, headache, toothache, earaches, pain, nervous
tension and stress, jaundice, kills worms, mucus colitis, gonorrhea, ulcers,
poor circulation, blood purifier, inflamed rheumatic joints, muscles cramps,
neuritis, neuralgia, shock, and relieve intestinal cramps. Combined with
valerian (for antispasmodic properties) for coughs. A cold tea, taken 1
hour before meals, is particularly good for digestion. Hops also have
diuretic properties and can be taken for various problems with water retention
and excess uric acid. Externally, a poultice can be used for inflammations,
boils, ringworms, tumors, painful swellings, and old ulcers.
A hop pillow is a popular method of overcoming insomnia.
Young tips and leaves can be used as a green vegetable.
Precautions:
Excessive doses or prolonged use can have detrimental effects and should be
avoided.Handling plant often causes dermatitis. Dislodged hairs may irritate
eyes.
Hops is a mild depressant and should be avoided in depression.
As an external remedy, an infusion of Hops is much in demand in combination
with chamomile flowers or poppy heads as a fomentation for swelling of a painful
nature, inflammation, neuralgic and rheumatic pains, bruises, boils and
gatherings. It removes pain and allays inflammation in a very short time. The
drug Lupulin is an aromatic bitter and is reputed to be midly sedative, inducing
sleep without causing headache.
It is occasionally administered as a hypnotic, either in pills with alcohol,
or enclosed in a cachet.
Note: This information is a summary of data from books and articles by
various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health
care professionals.
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Modified 05/20/2004
