Hops Herbal Remedies
Hops, a major flavoring component of beer, is used for insomnia, restlessness and excitability, and excess sexual excitement in men. Lactating mothers sometimes use hops to increase the flow of breast milk. Hops pillows have long been used as an aid to sleep. It has a beneficial effect on the stomach due to its bitter principle and is used with good result for nervous digestion. Hops can be useful as a strong infusion, or the fresh plant tincture added to hot water, for heart palpitations or abnormal awareness of the heart accompanied by mild to moderate anxiety. The dried plant loses its sedative properties within a few months if not stored in a cool place out of the light, and even then the shelf-life of most products is at most 6 months. Hops has a taste of ACRID, BITTER and a temperature of COOL.
Hops Proper Dose
| Type | Dossage |
| Hops Infusion | 1 cup as needed |
| Hops Tincture | 1 to 3 droppersful 2-3 x daily |
Hops Reference Information
| Latin Name | Humulus lupulus |
| Other Names | |
| Part Used | Female Flowers |
| Herb Forms | Tincture, capsule (as an extract or powder), buk herb. |
| Affects | Cardiovascular system, Digestive system, Liver, Nervous system |
| Cautions | Avoid use of this herb in cases of depression. Most people should avoid the herb before bedtime because it is a strong diuretic. |
| Botanical Info | A fast-growing perennial deciduous vine that forms small male and female cones on stalks from the area just above the upper leaves. |
Supporting Research
Blumenthal, Mark et al. 1998. The Complete Commission E Monographs. Austin: American Botanical Council.
Newall, C. et al.. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press.
Leung, A. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
McGuffin, M. et al. 1997. Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Felter, H.W. and J.U. Lloyd. 1983. (1898). King's Dispensatory. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Weiss, R. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers.
Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs. Essex: C.W. Daniel Co. Ltd.
Harper-Shove, F. 1952. Prescriber and Clinical Repertory of Medicinal Herbs. Rustington, England: Health Science Press.
Sherman, J. 1979. The Complete Botanical Prescriber. Corvallis: Corvallis Naturopathic Clinic.