Humulus lupulus (common hop or hop) is a species of flowering plant in theCannabaceae family, native to Europe, western Asia and North America.
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Uses
In addition to beer, hops are also used in herbal teas and in soft drinks. These soft drinks include Julmust (a carbonated beverage similar to soda that is popular in Sweden during December), Malta (a Latin American soft drink) and kvass.
It is a primary ingredient in beer brewing but can also be used as a supplement to induce calmness or help combat insomnia. It is particularly useful for insomnia which is accompanied by indigestion because it reportedly has a stomach-soothing quality.
Benefits
Hops are also used in herbal medicine in a way similar to valerian, as a treatment for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. A pillow filled with hops is a popular folk remedy for sleeplessness, and animal research has shown a sedative effect. The relaxing effect of hops may be due, in part, to the specific degradation product from alpha acids, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, as demonstrated from nighttime consumption of non-alcoholic beer. 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol is structurally similar to tert-amyl alcohol which was historically used as an anesthetic. Hops tend to be unstable when exposed to light or air and lose their potency after a few months’ storage.
Hops are of interest for hormone replacement therapy and are under basic research for potential relief of menstruation-related problems.
In preliminary veterinary research, hops compounds are under study for potential activity against pasture-associated laminitis in horses.
Cautions
Dermatitis sometimes results from harvesting hops. Although few cases require medical treatment, an estimated 3% of the workers suffer some type of skin lesions on the face, hands, and legs. Hops are toxic to dogs
Interactions
None are recorded.
Other names
hop, common hop
References
Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humulus_lupulus
LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/441921-natural-sleep-aids-while-taking-prednisone/