Medicinal uses of hops

Hops has always been an important part of medicinal history, especially since the middle ages.
The sedating effects of hops were proven in 2002, but in folk medicine, it had been used for a much longer time.

Many of these positive uses were scientifically proven through tests, a few of those are:

• As a preservative (Albertus Magnus): This was the original usage of hops when brewing beer
• In gynaecology: Through calming and relaxing effects at childbirth or menstrual cramps.
• Against symptoms of a cold, toothpain & for wound healing: These uses were already known by the indian tribes of north america.
• For a comforting and soothing effect: Particulary useful in combination with valerian. 

Hops is also used in alot of sedatives and sleeping aids.

It is known since around 1995, that the compound Xanthohumol, which only appears naturally in the hops-plant, can be quiet useful in cancer research.
Scientists were able to notice that some certain cancer-cells get slowed down, or even completely stop uncontrolled cell division.


Hop-tea:
Pour hot water over the dried or freshly harvested hop cones.  The bitterness of hops can be reduced by adding a hazelnut leaf into the water, or by using hop varieties with low/no bitter substances such as 'Teamaker'.


Hop-pillow:

Put dried hop cones inside a small bag/pouch and put it under your pillow when you go to sleep. The essential oils in hops have a calming and sleep-inducing effect.

Hop-ointment:


Recommended varieties:

This recipe can be used to create a hop-ointment with, for example, anti-inflammatory properties:

Ingredients:

• 60 g of hop-oil extract
• 20 g of  rosehip oil
• 10 g of hop-tincture
• 10 g of beeswax
• 5 drops of sea buckthorn oil
• 10 drops of fine lavender
• alcohol for disinfecting
• small glass containers to fill the ointment in

Production:

• disinfect your working place and the glass containers
• heat & mix the hop-oil extract and the beeswax in a water bath
• slowly  stir in the rosehip oil
• let the hop-tincture drip into the mix while stirring
• mix in the sea buckthorn oil and the fine lavender
• fill it into the glass containers

Alternative:

This is a traditional, simpler recipe for a hop-ointment. It is commonly used for skincare, to soothe muscle tension or to treat irritated skin:

Ingredients (for around 100ml):

• 1 tbsp dried hop cones
• 100 ml vegetable oil (like olive-oil, almond-oil or jojoba-oil)
• 10 g beeswax (or 8 g for a softer consistency)
• optional: 5-10 drops of essential oil (like lavender or chamomile, for fragrance and additional effect)

Production:
 

• making hop-oil extract
  • rougly chop the hop cones and place them in a heat-resistant glass
  • add oil until the chopped hop cones are submerged
  • leave to steep in a water bath for 1 - 2 hours at around 60 °C  (do not boil!)
  • let it cool down and strain through a fine cloth or a coffee filter

 

• making a ointment-base:
  • pour the strained hop oil into a clean glass or small bowl
  • add the beeswax
  • heat in a waterbath until the wax is completely melted

 

• refining and bottling: 
  • remove from heat and let it cool down slightly (to about 40 °C)
  • optional: add a few drops of essential oil
  • fill into clean and disinfected ointment jars
  • let it cool down until the ointment becomes firm

Application shelf-life:
approximately 6 months (when stored cool, dark and clean)

Usage:
Apply a thin layer to the skin and massage it in.

Special tip:
Optionally, you can also add calendula, chamomile or St. John's wort (1 tbsp each) to the oil infusion - this enhances the skin-nourishing effect.