Hops use as a sleeping aid
dates back thousands of years

Aged hops are sedatives, fresh hops provide bitters that stimulate digestion; these bitters are also found in the aged herb. In folk medicine, Hops teas are also used to relieve the pain of bladder infections and give prompt ease to an irritable bladder. Hops are a traditional cure for insomnia - a number of phytochemicals in hops are tonic, nervine and possess sedative and muscle-relaxing qualities. Other compounds depress the central nervous system, and the bitter principles improve the appetite.

Hops contains the most potent of all the plant estrogens, prenylnaringenin. For this reason, children of either sex who have not reached puberty should not be given hops. Pregnant women, women with estrogen-sensitive disorders, especially estrogen-dependent breast cancer, and men who have gynecomastia (enlargement of the breasts) or erectile dysfunction also should avoid this herb. This phytoestrogen can be detected in beer, but the levels in beer are low and should not pose any cause for concern, although the phytoestrogens in hops can cause fat to be deposited into the classic "beer-belly" pattern. Dieters seeking to reduce the waistline should avoid both beer and medicinal application of hops. It is wise to avoid using hops for at least two weeks before any type of surgery requiring general anesthesia, and to inform your doctor that you have been using hops before undergoing an operation. You should not take hops during the day if you will be driving or operating heavy machinery, or if you are depressed, as this herb may aggravate that condition. Do not take hops with medications for insomnia or anxiety except under a physician's supervision. ¹

Remedies using : Hops