Hops is a twining plant related to hemp; however it does not contain cannabinol. Hops probably is best known for its role as an ingredient in beer where it provides the beer with most of its bitter substances.
If you drink many beers, you will most often become sleepy, but sleep induced by beer is not optimal. For more than a thousand years, hops in the form of tea, tincture, or extract has been used as a remedy for falling asleep. This is caused by the calming and soporific effects of hops. To some extent, the plant also has spasmolytic effects and promotes digestion. Actually, hops is also good against stress and can thereby alleviate many of its accompanying symptoms.
Hops is particularly beneficial in combination with valerian, but also in combination with passion-flower when their fields of operation overlap.
Keywords
The plant can be used as a relaxing, soporific, and anti-spasmodic drug. Moreover, it is used for nervousness, restlessness, sleeping problems, nervous cough or asthma, loss of appetite, tension in the internal organs such as stomach cramps, irritable colon or bulges on the intestines accompanied by an irritable colon, and absent or painful menstruation.
Precautions
Never use herbal medicine if you suspect that you have symptoms that ought to be clarified by a doctor.
If you don't experience any improvement within a month of treatment - contact a naturopath or a phytotherapist.
Contraindications
Do not use during pregnancy. Should not be used by people who suffer from depression.
Side effects
None, as long as the recommended dosage is followed.
Dosage
1:2 extract: 3 ml. or a spoonful a day. To be taken with a little water.
Extracts are strong - you may choose to rinse with your favourite beverage.
Further fortification
Depends on the reasons for the problems:
In case of tiredness or to strengthen the mental area: Eleutheroccus senticosus or Senticosus Complex.
In case of severe sleeping problems: supplement with Humulus Complex.
If you have a case of low spirits: e.g. supplement with Hypericum Complex (available through the company Herbworx).
Further information
www.phytotherapies.org
