Hops - humulus lupulus, japonicus

Tuesday, May 20th, 2008

A hedgerow climber, also widely cultivated, found growing on rich, moist land. There are two kinds of hops commonly used in herb gardens: both are vigorous vines and must be trained to climb. Both are hardy perennials. Leaves are vine-form and the flowers are clusters of peculiar form, green-yellow, fragrant. The fruit, papery green, cone-formed, covered with loose scales are called strobiles (bitters). They possess a yellow, resinous dust, lupulin, which gives the herb most of its medicinal virtues. The bitters are an important flavor ingredient in some beers. The shoots of hope, blanched and eaten young taste like asparagus.

The whole herb is useful for its tonic properties. It is also pain reducing and hypnotic. It has been used to increase breast milk and to sooth therefore irritable infants. It is one of the best medicinal plants known. It will restore poor appetite, and its log-term use helps to prevent anemia. It helps to remove intestinal worms and has been used for toothache and neuralgias.

For external use in aches and skin rashes in the form of poultices made from crushed hops. If possible, cut 5 to 6 hops small and eat them row with addition of a little honey or make a tea from a heaped tablespoonful of hops in one cup of cold water, simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Steep and drink half a cup morning and night.

everythyng herbal at herb-garden world