It is the hop that is largely responsible for the taste of one of our favourite alcoholic drinks. However, did you know that the history of brewing with hops in England is not so old and that hops themselves are mighty useful plants outside of the brew house?
Closely related to Cannabis, hops have had there own particular history in this country as a forbidden plant. According to the herbalist Julian Barker, the cultivation of hops was forbidden in England until the reign of Henry IV, partly from fear of its psychoactive properties, partly from the fear that it was a foreign invader. Henry VIII forbade hops as an additive to ale (traditionally a drink brewed from barley without hops) as it was classed as a 'wicked weed' which 'spoiled the taste of the drink' and would 'endanger the people!
The Romans used it as a food plant, eating the young shoots like asparagus and although in later centuries it was widely used on the continent for brewing, it was not widely cultivated in England until the end of the seventeenth century. It is, however, a native plant. It was used to clarify ale, but early writers on herbs, such as Gerard in 1597 and the seventeenth century diarist John Evelyn, were not enthusiastic about its properties, the latter suspected it of causing 'tormenting diseases and a shorter life' - perhaps this was more to do with too much drink, rather than with the hops themselves
Interestingly hops were always thought to engender melancholy, which fits in with modern herbal usage, as hops, although useful for anxiety, are never given in depressive states.
Medicinally, as in the brewing industry, it is the cone like female flowers or strobiles that are usually used, although other parts of the plant have some history of traditional use.
Its bitter taste (helps stimulate gastric secretions) and spasmolytic properties, make it a great herb to used for digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with the happy coincidence that that often these problems have a root in anxiety, so in these cases its sedative action is also helpful. Other digestive problems many also benefit from hops, Crohns disease, intestinal cramps, loss of appetite and anorexia for example, possibly given the well-known close relationship between stressed and anxious states and poor digestive health.
It is often added to insomnia mixes by herbalists for its gently sedative action and is also helpful for some kinds of neuralgia. The dried flowers are sometimes added with other soothing herbs, such as dried lavender, to herb pillows as the aroma from the plants are thought to aid restful sleep, although hops can cause allergic dermatitis in some people.
A phyto-oestrogenic herb, it can influence the menstrual cycle and they can be useful for some menopausal symptoms, where sleeplessness and anxiety is a problem. It is also included in some formulations for 'restless legs'.
Hops are also thought to be at the root of 'brewer's droop -as it is thought to be an anaphrodisiac in men, so be aware chaps. This is strange, as it is classified magically as masculine and a herb of Mars. Perhaps it's women having a joke!? :)
Sources
Barker, J. (2001), The medicinal flora of Britain and Northwestern Europe. Kent, Winter Press
Mrs Grieve (1931) A Modern Herbal (available on line at www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/mgmh.htm).
This information is meant for educational purposes only and not intended as a guide to self-treatment. You should always seek professional advice. Remember that herbs can interact with other drugs and may be contra-indicated if you have certain medical conditions, are pregnant or lactating. Take care when using wild plants or herbs, that you have the correct species from a reliable and uncontaminated source.
Catherine Schofield BSc MNIMH Herbalist Cheshire Herbs and Herbal Medicine