Humulus Lupulus

1.      History and use

Already used by the Romans in ancient times, hops were introduced as a medicinal plant in herbal medicine only around the 10th century. These are Arab doctors who recognize him, the first, its soothing properties soporific. In Europe, some herbalists have used melancholy and insomnia in Europe, and hop cones were placed in the pillow, or below, to promote sleep, particularly in nervous children. Hops in contemporary herbal medicine concerns, in general, sleep disorders, problems related to menopause and the treatment of certain cancers (cancers of the breast and cervix).

2.      Description of the plant

Hops are herbaceous, climbing and perennial plants, 5 to 6 m high (10 m in some cases) with a quadrangular, downy and relatively rough stalk, generally curling in a clockwise direction. Its leaves, palmate (3 to 5 lobes) are opposite, inserted on spindly and elongated stems. It is a dioecious plant, whose inflorescence is cone.

The flowers of the female feet are kittens, evolving in ovoid cones. wrapped in a resin (lupulin), fragrant and floury. The male a inflorescence is a cluster inserted in the axils of the leaves.The pollination is done by wind (anemogamous) and the fruits are achenes. Spontaneous and wild plant, hops are grown well on rich soils, in wet and shady areas (river borders, hedges, ditches).

3.      Curative action

Internal use

• Treatment of sleep disorders (sedative properties).
• Treatment of minor digestive spasms, eructation and digestive cramps.
• Aperitif action: improvement of the appetite.
• Menopausal disorders: reduction of hot flashes and nervousness. Febrifugal effect: regulatory role.

Usual therapeutic indications

• Improves sleep (antioxidant and Improves inflammatory), reduces the development of breast cancer (action of phytooestrogens).
• A sedative effect (treatment of vegetative dystonia), treats disorders of menopause (role of phytoestrogens).
• Corrects sexual disorders of anti-neurological origins (premature ejaculation, absence of libido).
• Reduces joint pains (arthritis, rheumatism), reinforces the renal function (diuretic).
• Hops helps soothe certain digestive disorders (dyspepsia, epigastric discomfort, burns), as well as hyperemotivity in children.

4.      Uses

For an infusion, soak 10 g of dry hop cones in 500 ml of very hot water. The infusion is to drink morning, noon and evening, after meals, to fight against sleep disorders are enough for the treatment of insomnia.

The dry extract in capsules is to be swallowed (with a glass of water) at the time of the meals, three times a day, at the rate of 200 mg per catch.

The total dry hop powder is in micronized form and is taken with a glass of water at a rate of 1 g per serving (morning, noon and evening).

For the decoction of hop cones, consume one cup morning, noon and night, after meals.