Tuesday 17 May 2011

Number 21 - Hops

Humulus lupulus contains a hop flower cluster which are usually used to brew beers and ales with many surprising health effects.

Benefits from taking hops include soothing the spasms of irritable bowel syndrome. They can also be included in creating a pillow to help with insomnia. The herb creates 'brewers droop' in men; decreasing libido in men but increasing it in women. Hops also control hot flushes in women and premature ejaculation in men.

There are possibilities of dermatitis when harvesting the plant. Do not take hops when suffering from depression, or on any birth control as it affects the menstrual cycle.

Hops can be taken as a tincture or made into a pillow. The herb is not as effective when taken in beer.

Hops tincture. (Source: Terra Firma Botanicals)

9 comments:

  1. yeah i don't mind the libido suppressing effect of hops at all, I think it is a good thing tbh

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  2. Helps with insomnia? Might just try this out, herbal remedies ftw.

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  3. I drink a lot of beer but I still have a normal libido... take that mother nature!!!

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  4. Sounds like a great herb. I specifically like how it soothes IBS, I may have to get some for that purpose.

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  5. I'll recomend this to some of my friends. One has trouble sleeping and the other had some bowel problems a while back. Thanks.

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