HOPS
Humulus lupulus
FEATURES: The hop plant is a long-lived dioecious perennial propagated commercially from rhizome
sections, or ‘root cuttings’. The hop is one of the few crop plant species in which male and female
flowers are borne on different plants. Introduced and cultivated in the United States for its cones and
strobiles, which are used medicinally and in the manufacture of beer, ale, and porter.
Lupulin grains are preferred to the hops itself and are procured by beating or rubbing the strobiles and
then sifting out the grains, which form about one-seventh part of the hops. Lupulin is a globose, kidney-
shaped grain, golden yellow and somewhat transparent. This substance is the bitter principle of hops and
is used in aqueous solutions, also called lupulin.
The stem is rough, very long, and will twist around any adjacent support. Leaves in pairs, stalked,
serrated, cordate. Three- or five-lobed flowers or strobiles consisting of membranous scales are
yellowish green, round, reticulate, veined, nearly ½ inch long. Odor is peculiar and somewhat agreeable.
Taste: slightly astringent and exceedingly bitter.
MEDICINAL PARTS: The strobiles or cones.
SOLVENTS: Boiling water, dilute alcohol.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Tonic, diuretic, nervine, anodyne, hypnotic, anthelmintic, sedative, febrifuge.
USES: This old-time plant is an excellent agent for many conditions. The fluid extract of 10 drops is often
used in cough syrups where there is nervousness, and in heart palpitation.
The decoction of the hops cleanses the blood, making it useful in venereal diseases and all kinds of
skin abnormalities, such as itch, ringworm, spreading sores, tetters, and discolorations. It will tone the
liver, assist a sluggish gallbladder, and increase the flow of urine. Principally used for sedative or
hypnotic action, producing sleep, removing restlessness, and alleviating pain, especially so if combined
with chamomile flowers. Use both internally and externally.
The lupulin tincture is used in delirium tremens, nervous exhaustion, anxiety, worms; does not disorder
the stomach or cause constipation. Also useful in after-pains and to mitigate the pain attending gonorrhea.
A pillow made of the dried hops, sprinkled with alcohol to bring out the active principle, is used for
insomnia and generally induces sleep.
DOSE: 1 teaspoonful of the flowers, cut small or granulated, to 1 cupful of boiling water. Drink cold 1
cupful during the day, a large mouthful at a time. Of the tincture, 5–20 minims.
EXTERNALLY: An ointment made by boiling 2 parts of stramonium (jimsonweed) and 1 part of hops, in
lard, is an excellent application in skin irritation and itching skin.
HOMEOPATHIC CLINICAL: Seeded spikes for trituration. Tincture of cupuline for dyspepsia, dysuria,
gonorrhea.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Hmel is the Russian name for hops, which is an expression for people that are
slightly drunk. This plant grows wild in many parts of the Russian territory and is cultivated for industrial
breweries. Folk medicine: The medical properties have long been appreciated as diuretic, sedative, and
calming. Used for inflammation of the bladder, tuberculosis, and as a hair tonic. The root decoction for
jaundice and dandruff. Dose: 1–20 minims, or decoction of 2 tablespoonfuls to 1 pint of water, a mouthful