Hop

Hop Overview 

Hops were first used as a vegetable.  As early as the eighth century hops were cultivated by the French and German monks for medicinal purposes.  Pliny in his natural history mentions the hop as being used as a salad.  Today the hop is used extensively to make beer.  This is its most important commercial use. However over the years the hop has been used for many different kinds of purposes:

• Medicinal and herbal preparations
• Fiber for cloth
• A dye
• Making pillows
  

The plant is found in much of Europe beginning from Britain all the way to West Asia.  It is usually found in hedgerows, sunny grounds and woodlands. Hop is a perennial climber that grows up to 6m. It is a hardy plant that flowers in July. The plant is noted to attract wildlife and prefers light, sandy soil. It can grow in semi shade or does not require any shade at all. 

The leaves and the roots of the plant are edible.  The fleshy rhizomes are sometimes eaten and the essential oils produced by the flowers are used as a flavoring agent in beverages, candy, baked goods and puddings.

Medical Use of Hop 

Medicinally, hops have been used mainly for their soothing, sedative and calming effect on both the mind as well as the body. Hops have a long history of medicinal use. This is why many herbalists prescribe hops for treating cases of nervousness, anxiety and sleeplessness.  Hops are also often used in combination with other sedative herbs to make tea. Hops have a sleep enhancing effect. 

The bitter flavor of the herb induces the secretion of bile and other juices that help the body to digest food properly.  The plant also helps increase gastric and other secretions.  Hops have analgesic, anti-depressant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral and aphrodisiac properties.  Therefore hops have been effective in fighting breast cancer, uterine cancer and cancer of the prostate.  Hops are also effective against a number of other conditions like diabetes, dysentery, dyspepsia, hot flashes, irritable bowel syndrome, muscle spasm, leprosy, leukemia, mood disturbances, nervous disorders, obesity, restlessness, silicosis and skin disorders.

Benefits of Hop

In folk medicine, hops have been used to treat a wide range of complaints like boils, bruises, calculus, cramps, cough, cystitis, fits, hysteria, debility, delirium, diarrhea, insomnia, rheumatism and worms.  A decoction made from the flowers of the plant is a remedy for the swelling and hardness in the uterus.

The flowers of the hop plant have been used to make pillows. When the head rests on these pillows the volatile oils in the flower are released.  The fruit of the plant is applied externally as a poultice to painful swellings and ulcers.

People taking sedatives which are known for interacting poorly with alcohol should avoid taking alcoholic extracts of hops. Use instead a hops infusion. Hops exerts a estrogenic like activity in the body and may interfere with pre existing hormonal treatment. As such it is recommended that hop is contraindicated in breast cancer until further research suggests otherwise.

Hop Cautions 

Certain allergies have been reported. They mainly appear as a rash (contact dermatitis). Harvesters often report difficulty in breathing when they are exposed to the plant for too long.  People who have severe allergic reactions to peanuts, banana and chestnut should avoid using hop. Dust from hop may contain harmful bacteria.  Dry cough, difficulty in breathing and bronchitis are some other reported side effects.