The hop (Humulus) is a small genus of flowering plants, native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The female flowers, commonly called hops, are used as flavoring and stabilizers during beer brewing. Male and female plants have distinctive flowers.

Hop has long history of medicinal use. For centuries, Chinese physicians used it for digestive, leprosy, tuberculosis, and dysentery. Likewise, ancient Greek and Roman physicians used hop also to treat digestive and various internal organ disorders.

Roman natural healer, Pliny, recommended tender hop branch cultivated in spring as "superb vegetable", and it is still eaten today.

Until about 1000 years ago, when it was used as an ingredient for beer, hop was not considered to be herb of any importance. Up to 9th century, many brewers used marjoram, yarrow, worm wood, and other herbs. But after 9th century, when Germans used hop for fragrance and bitter taste and freshness of the beer, it became major herb used for beer brewing.

Hop is well known in England, commonly found in the wild, was only used in folk remedy to promote appetite (using its bitter taste), but become part of great controversy when it was used to make ale, traditional British drink.

Traditionally, ale was not made using hop. However, around 1500s, British brewers added hop in ale to turn traditional sweet taste of ale into bitter tasting beer. This angered many British, some claimed hop to be "bad herb that puts people in danger", and was banned by Henry VIII. This ban was lifted in 1552 by Edward VI (Henry VIII''s son), but was opposed by many British who insisted upon traditional ale.

John Evelyn, British author from century later, who strongly opposed lifting of ''hop use ban'' and wrote the following:

"Hop made health drink ale into beer, and is used to preserv the freshness, but is will lead to diseases, agony and pain, and early death for people".

Hop''s medicinal value were first discovered by the farmers who cultivated it. They realized that while cultivating it, they were easily fatigued and in case of female experienced early menstruation, and were easily fatigued. Hence, hop was proven to have ''stabilize nerve'' and ''facilitate menstruation'' functions.

Since its use as nerve stabilizing herb, hop is used as a tea, and also to stuff pillows, since its soft scent can induce sleep.

17th century British herbalist, Nicholas Culpepper stated that "hop promotes liver and spleen functions, purifies blood, and in women, promotes menstruation".

North American Native Indians used hop to calm the mind and promote digestion, and 19th century eclectic scholars used it for digestion, and delirium tremens (a potentially fatal form of ethanol (alcohol) withdrawal characterized by sudden and severe mental changes, psychosis, or neurologic changes, including seizures).

Between 1831-1916, hop was recorded as "nerve stabilizing herb", and during the 19th century hop was a very popular herb. Many medicine marketers of the time praised hop''s medicinal value saying "take hop''s bitter taste 3 times daily and no need for doctor visit".

Today''s herbal scholars choose ''nerve stabilizing'' and ''digestive functions'' as its most important functions.

Indication:

Hop contains Humulon and Lupulon, chemicals that destroy harmful bacterias.

1. Prevents infections

Hop can destroy bacteria, and prevent infections. Accoring to one study, hop has the function to inhibit proliferation of tuberculosis.

2. Excellent in stabilizing nerves

For many years, scholars have used hop as nerve stabilizer without any scientific proof. However, in 1983, nerve stabilizing chemical was found in hop, and this chemical is more prominent in dried herb compared to fresh hop.

3. Promotes digestion

Hop acts on digestive tract''s smooth muscles to promote digestion. According to a French study it also has antispasmodic function.

Preparation:

1. To prevent infection and digestion, use fresh herb, but for insomnia and mental disorder, use aged, dried leaves is more effective.

2. For anxiety, tension and headache, use with mint, passion flower, valerian for better effect

3. Steep 2 teaspoonful in hot water for 5 minutes before drinking

Hop is mild, yet bitter in taste

Caution:

1. Not for use in patient''s with depression

2. Hop is considered to be generally safe by FDA, however, like any other herbs, consult health professional for prolonged or large dose uses.

3. Not for use in children under 2 years old, and for eldery use smaller doses to start than adjust dosage as needed