by Allison Prater |
Hops are commonly known as a staple ingredient in one of summer’s favorite beverages: ice cold beer. The French and Germans used hops in their brews since the ninth century, when they discovered its value as a preservative. Beer brewed with hops could be kept in storage longer before selling. At first, the addition of this herb was not well received as it has a bitter flavor. Its medicinal qualities, such as aiding in digestion and relaxing effects, soon made it a favorite among brewers. Today, it is considered the primary herb for the brewing of beer.
Hops have a long history as a medicinal and culinary herb. Traditionally, this long, vine perennial was used as a nerve tonic and sleep aid. This sedative quality of the herb may contribute to beer’s ability to make the drinker drowsy. It has similar qualities of valerian root, and can be used in much the same way; valerian is stronger as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, compared to hops.
Today, hops are still widely used as a sedative for insomnia, stress and tension. The fruit of the plant looks like a small green pine cone, which is much softer and most effective when freshly dried. Tucked inside the leaf bracket are the tiny fruit and a golden pollen-like substance rich in lupulin, the active constituent of hops. Because hops is so rich in volatile oils, they are one of the traditional herbs used in sleep or dream pillows. The volatile oils are released by the pressure of sleeping on the pillow and affect the brain directly through the olfactory center. Abraham Lincoln is reported to have used such a pillow. See further instructions for your own do-it-yourself dream pillow at the end of this article.
Studies show that hops also have antiseptic properties and, when applied externally as a hot poultice, are said to reduce inflammations of skin.
It is less known that hops have estrogenic properties. Hops are excellent for regulating and balancing hormonal production, especially due to stress, in women. For example, it is often used for stimulating milk production in new mothers.
Hops estrogenic effect is a fairly recent rediscovery. When hops were first cultivated in large amounts for the brewing industry, female hops pickers noticed their menstrual cycles arrived prematurely and that the young girls picking the hops started their cycles earlier. At the same time, male pickers were noticing a lessoning of their sexual desire. Hops began to develop a reputation as a sexual stimulant for women and a sexual depressant for men. This observation led to the discovery that hops contain high concentrations of plant hormones that have estrogen like effects on the female system. For women, the effects of using hops to regulate and balance hormonal action, is quite remarkable. The hormonal effects lessen as the plant dries; it is best used fresh or in a tincture. Opinions divide as to whether the hormone suppressing factors of hops effect men that consume them in beer.
Hops are easy to grow in your own back yard. A perennial vine that grows prolifically, hops bears fruit in its third year of life. Pliny, the ancient Greek naturalist, grew hops in his garden and enjoyed the fresh young shoots and leaves of the plant as an early spring vegetable. Whether for eating, drinking or sleeping, hops are an excellent addition to your natural healing cabinet.
Make your own dream pillow:
Fold a piece of 8” X 8” fabric in
half and sew two sides together,
leaving one side open for stuffing.
Soft fabrics such as cotton or velvet are
recommended. Traditionally, the pillow
covering was embroidered with moons and stars.
Stuff the pillow with a dried mixture of:
- 4 parts mugwort
- (an herb that encourages dreaming)
- 1 part lavender
- 1 part hops
- 1 part chamomile
- 1 part roses
Sew the pillow shut and place it next to your head at night. Fluff it before you sleep to release the sleep inducing odors.
References:
- Kowalchik, Claire, and William H. Hylton, Rodales Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs, Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pennsylvania, 1987
- Gladstar, Rosemary, Herbal Healing for Women, Fireside Books, New York, 1993
- Balch, CNC Phyllis A, and James F. Balch, MD, “Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing,” Third Edition, Penguin Putnam, New York, 2000
