Hops, benefits and harms of the plant, recipes for using cones and leaves

Today, many people have an established opinion that a plant such as hops is used exclusively for the production of one of the most common alcoholic beverages, beer.

This opinion is absolutely wrong. The leaves and fruits of the plant are components of many medicinal medicines sold in pharmacies. It is actively used in folk medicine: infusions are prepared from it, decoctions and poultices are made.

Let's take a closer look use of hops, its benefits and harms, indications and contraindications for use.

Content:

• Description of the plant
• What beneficial substances are contained in the plant?
• Use of hop leaves and cones
• Hop cones during menopause
• Hops: benefits and harm for men
• Hop pillow: benefits and contraindications
• How to prepare hop tincture with vodka
• Contraindications for use

Hops: plant description

Homeland not determined. It is believed that he came to us from the Caucasus, or from the southern Slavs. The Finns consider themselves to be the discoverers of this plant, but the British cite the exact time of its appearance as the beginning of the 16th century.

In fact, it was known to the ancient Romans. In the ninth century, a certain doctor Mese first mentioned the choleretic and blood purifying properties.

There are two types of hops: wild and Japanese. Last used for decorative purposes for decorating country and personal plots, walls of mansions, designing fences.But wild plants are actively used in traditional and alternative medicine.

Hops and beneficial substances contained in them

Its composition is in no way inferior to various vitamin complexes.

This plant contains a lot of acids and substances that are useful for the body:

• The cones contain essential oils in sufficient quantities (up to 3%). Myrcene is abundant in hop essential oils (up to 50%), which gives the plant itself a fragrant, “hoppy” quality. aroma.
• Along with essential oils (3%), the composition also contains tannins that prevent the plant from rotting and the hop cones from hardening when dry.
• Contains wax and gum, as well as hop resins, a complex complex of various substances (a mixture of resin acids, neutral resins and phenols).
• Almost 30% is occupied by bitter substances. However, this figure is not constant and may vary depending on the climate, region of growth and timing of fruit harvest.
• The fruits also contain nicotinic, valeric and ascorbic acids, choline, theanine, yellow coloring matter and flavonoids.

Together, these substances provide a powerful healing effect that helps cope with any ailment.

Hop leaves and cones: application

In pharmacology and folk medicine, female infructescences and leaves of the plant are used.

It must be remembered that the cones are harvested at the moment of their ripening. A faded plant is no longer suitable for harvesting.

Usually the buds are dried in the fresh air, avoiding open contact with the sun's rays, as this can dry them out. Dried buds are packaged in cotton bags and can be stored for up to two years.

So, the cones are used in pharmacology as a powerful antibiotic due to the resins contained in the plant.Essential oils also make their “mite”: due to them, hop cones have an antifungal and antimicrobial effect on the body.

Preparations containing cones are prescribed to people with stomach problems. Thanks to the activation of the secretory gland, gastric juice is released, and, consequently, appetite increases and digestion improves.

The cones also help with problems with the liver and kidneys, as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system, inflammation of the respiratory tract, and headaches. Preparations containing hop fruits perfectly regulate the metabolism of lipids and fluids in the body.

The sedative and hypnotic effects of pine cones on the body are also known. Moreover, the longer the raw materials are stored, the stronger this effect.

The leaves have also found their use in pharmacology and even in everyday life.
The leaves contain a lot of ascorbic acid, so they are added to various salads. This is done to prevent vitamin deficiency and improve appetite.

The leaves are used to treat breast cancer and skin cancer.

Decoctions and infusions of the leaves are used as a mild sedative. Such infusions help relieve strong sexual arousal.

In cosmetology, a decoction of cones is used as a hair rinse. The fruits of the plant are the basis of some scalp and hair care products.

Let's watch a video about the use of hops in folk medicine:

Hop cones in gynecology, use for menopause

Infertility is also used in gynecology for menstrual irregularities and is used to stop lactation. Cones are also useful during menopause. More about this.

Special decoctions and infusions are prepared from them that reduce the frequency and strength of hot flashes during menopause. Decoctions activate metabolic processes and produce the female hormone estrogen.

Most often, during menopause they make very tasty and healthy herbal tea. To do this, mix mantle, rosehip, hops and lemon balm in a ratio of 3:1:1:1.

Then take 2 tbsp. mixture and add 0.5 liters of water. Place in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, and then leave for an hour. Take 4 times a day, 1 tbsp.

During menopause, a decoction for baths and douches is also useful. It is prepared from 60 g of inflorescences and a liter of boiling water. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat.

For hot flashes, migraines and headaches, make a water infusion. Take a quarter liter of boiling water 2 tsp. inflorescences, pour boiling water over the inflorescences into a glass container and leave to infuse in a dark, cool place for 4 hours. The infusion is taken 1 tbsp. for the night.

Hops: benefits and harm for men

Hops for men has sexual benefits. Decoctions help improve erectile function by activating testosterone production.

In addition, the plant has a calming effect and is recommended for men suffering from premature ejaculation.

Hops are also useful for men in cases of severe stress and neurosis, baldness, problems with the urinary and circulatory systems, and inflammatory processes.

We should not forget that in addition to its benefits, the plant has contraindications for its use:

• preschool age;
• problems with excess weight;
• hypotension;
• increased stomach acidity;
• sensitivity to the components of the drug.

Hop pillow: benefits and contraindications

The benefits of “intoxicated” pillows have long been known.Queen Victoria of England always fell asleep with a canvas bag next to her, where the dried plant was hidden.

As mentioned above, hops are an excellent sleeping pill. It is indicated for neuroses, insomnia, headaches, irritability and hyperexcitability. Also, pillows stuffed with pine cones are useful for hypertensive patients.

The course of “hop” treatment should not exceed three weeks. and the frequency of the course is no more than three times a year.

But everything has its drawbacks, and pillows are no exception. Such pillows are undesirable for people suffering from asthma and allergies to herbs.

How to make a pillow:

Vodka hop tincture: an effective recipe

An infusion of vodka or alcohol is effective for sleep disorders, problems with the genitourinary and cardiovascular systems. The infusion is also used to rinse the mouth for preventive purposes and in the treatment of teeth and gums.

To prepare the tincture, you need to take 25 g of dried cones and pour them with a glass of vodka or 100 g of medical alcohol. You need to infuse the solution for 21 days in a cool, dark place. After this period, the infusion should be decanted and consumed 10-15 drops 3 times a day.

Undesirable consequences and contraindications

For all its advantages, hops also have disadvantages. The plant is considered toxic, and therefore it should be used strictly as prescribed by a doctor and self-medication should be avoided.

Also, the drugs are contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, and people with allergies.

An overdose of drugs that contain hops can lead to unpleasant consequences:

• nausea;
• vomit;
• apathy;
• drowsiness;
• state of chronic fatigue.

Before manipulating leaves or cones, you should study in detail the information provided on the Internet, and also be sure to consult with a specialist.