Packaging 50 g (or 500 g & 1 kg) containing the aerial parts of the plant.

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Other Names: Wild Climber & Beer Herb

Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a climbing plant widely distributed in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It is extensively used as an ingredient in beer production. The useful part of the plant is its female flowers.

Pliny mentioned it in the 1st century BC as a plant that grows among Epilobium and then kills them, like a wolf among sheep. Hence, it took its name from Latin, meaning "little wolf," which is why it is called "λυκίσκος" in Greek. The use of hops in beer is known from ancient times, though it seems to have been forgotten for a while and was used again in the Middle Ages. In modern brewing, hops were first used from 1200 onwards.

In modern herbal medicine, hops are primarily used by specialists to address disorders of the nervous and digestive systems (including anorexia). Research conducted in recent years suggests that the consumption of hops affects the central nervous system—not merely a muscle relaxant (though it has that property as well), as some researchers initially claimed. As a result, hops are considered effective in combating anxiety, tension, nervousness, depression, and insomnia. Essentially, hops are believed to have strong sedative and hypnotic properties. While the presence of valeric acid in the flowers was initially thought to be responsible for these properties, the recent discovery of the compound 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol has changed the understanding. This specific substance closely resembles the known hypnotic methylpentynol and shows identical results in clinical studies.

Regarding the effect of hops on digestive disorders, this is primarily due to its antispasmodic action. In experiments conducted on animals (guinea pig duodenum and rat uterus), the antispasmodic action of hops appears to compete with that of atropine. This is a muscle-relaxing action—explaining its effectiveness against intestinal spasms (irritable bowel syndrome, stomach neurosis, Crohn's disease). Hops are also particularly rich in bitter substances (5-30%). Two of these (humulone and lupulone) are thought to stimulate appetite, thus addressing anorexia to some extent.

Hops are one of the most significant herbs and possess some very interesting properties. They are believed to be the herb that combats premature ejaculation, as the phytoestrogen flavonoids they contain have aphrodisiac properties (incorrectly referred to as an aphrodisiac in some writings). Hops also have antibiotic properties, as some of the substances they contain (isohumulone and humulinic acid) promote the fight against bacteria in the human body.

Hops contain a plethora of active ingredients such as essential oils (over 150 aromatic substances), tannins, flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin mono- and diglycosides, xanthohumol, and chalcones), resin (which contains valeric acid among others), bitter substances (acylphloroglucosides, humulones, lupulones), plant glycosides (astragalin, quercitrin, rutin), and various amino acids.

Origin:

Greece, Imathia region (cultivated)

Storage:

Store in a dark and cool place (5°C – 15°C)

Preparation:

1 teaspoon of crushed hops (or a small pinch of whole) is placed in a container, to which 1 cup of water is added. The contents are boiled for 5–10 minutes, and after some time, the liquid is strained and consumed (3 times a day). If combining hops with valerian (for insomnia), prepare a brew (1 teaspoon of each herb) one hour before going to sleep.