All about the herb hops, and how hops can help improve your health!HOPS (Humulus Lupulus) If you see a hop plant twining through a country hedge, you will notice that it is a very vigorous plant. Hop is easily grown from seed but it is best to buy female plants. Their flowers are decorative and have the medicianal and flavoring properties, but they produce seed only if grown with the male plant. The large dark leaves will quickly cover an old shed or climb a tall tree,and there will be a great display of cones to harvest. In Australia hops are mostly grown in Tasmania, and grown on tall structures where the plants can climb readily. Female flowers are carried in bunches of soft 'cones', while male plants have tiny open sprays. It is best grown in Humus rich and moist, or moisture retaining but well drained. Cuttings taken in autumn can be planted out in spring in rich ,well drained soil, in sun or light shade. Hops grow best in a cool to mild climate. 
The female flowers,or cones are picked when they are yellowish green in colour in autumn. Once dried, the cones have an aromatic, bitter taste.
They are mainly used in brewing, but are also made into infusions, powders and extracts for medical use. In balneotherapy (therapeutic use of baths) they are employed for their calming properties. At the Herbal Teapot we use a small measure of hops in our Sleepytime herbal infusion, because it can help to relax, and help people who have trouble sleeping to "switch off". Hops can calm the nervous system and are wonderful for reducing problems related to stress. A nervous system that is out of kilter can affect the healthy functioning of the digestive system. Hops will help to impede this link, while stimulating digestion and liver function. The stress-bursting effects reach our muscles, too; the plant's antispasmodic properties relieve muscle tension. Regular cups of hop tea are both diuretic and detoxifying; while the estrogenic effects of hops make them great for relieving symptoms of the menopause. Hops can act as a mild depressant. Caution: Two of the bitters found in hops may cause side effects. Avoid if suffering from depression. Hops can cause contractions of the uterus, and is therefore not recomended during pregnancy and for breast feeding mothers only small amounts of any hops preparation. Do not take hops if you are taking sedative medications. Some people have an adverse reactrion to hops, which may take the form of respiratory allergy or contact dermatitis. Avoid excess alcohol when taking hops. Diana Roughan, Herbalist, HHG(Dip)MH
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