Common hops (Latin Humulus lupulus) is a common climber that grows wild throughout our country, but it is most often found in forests and wet thickets, especially above water. It is also quite common in gardens and parks, and is also grown on plantations established for the fermentation (beer production) and herbal industries. And it is the production of beer that is most famous for. However, this does not mean that this plant cannot help you stay healthy, quite the contrary.
Do you want to harvest the hops yourself? Why not! Hops are a plant that climbs around trees and shrubs from which hangs its shoots up to several meters in length. This sinuous thin, angular stem with hooked adherent hairs grows from highly branched, fleshy roots known as carp.
It blooms from July to September with greenish dioecious flowers
wind-pollinated: male - gathered in pendulous panicles set in the leaf axils, female - without perianth, similar to tiny cones with a characteristic resinous aroma. Only female specimens are relevant for herbal medicine, i.e. those that produce light green first, and then yellowing and browning cones.
Harvest the hops on clear days, in August, at the beginning of their ripening, i.e. when they turn yellow-green. After collecting the hop cones, do not leave them in the basket or plastic bag - start drying immediately. The best conditions are spread cones in a thin layer, in the shade, in dry and airy places. Store them in tightly closed vessels, preferably glass ones, e.g. a jar.
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On the surface of each cone, there are glandular hairs filled with a yellow or reddish-yellow substance, which crumble as the cones dry and take the form of a sticky powder called lupulin. Lupulin is also a valuable herbal raw material. Lupulin itself is often available in the form of a dietary supplement.
The hop cones contain mainly
- essential oil,
- resins,
- flavonoids,
- purine compounds,
- tannins,
- choline,
- waxes.
Hops (both cones and lupulin) work:
1.cooling,
2.stimulates the activity of the stomach, facilitating digestion and assimilation of food,
3.shows antibacterial properties,
4. reduces sex drive.
The use of hops in the evening time, in addition to its calming effect, will also have a good sleep-promoting effect.
When drinking tea or hop extract, remember that there are known cases of hypersensitivity to this herb and that touching fresh plants may cause an allergic reaction. For children up to 12 years of age Hop cones should not be given to pregnant women either - mainly due to the lack of information on the use of hop cones in this group of people. People who take sedative medications should also not use hop cones.
. Infusion of hop cones.
Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tablespoon of dried cones, leave it covered for 15 minutes and drink a glass of infusion 2-3 times a day 30-40 minutes before eating to improve digestion and as a tonic, relaxant and mildly sedative.
Hop cones can also be used in cosmetics in the case of seborrhea, hair loss and dandruff. To do this, prepare a hair rinse: pour 2 tablespoons of hop cones and 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers with a liter of water and simmer for 15 minutes, covered, over low heat. Drain the broth, about a half
a liter is left to wet the hair, and the rest is poured into a pot with clean water, which is then rinsed. After wetting the hair with the first liquid, massage the scalp thoroughly with your fingers and wait about 5 minutes, then rinse the hair with water with the addition of decoction.
Naturotherapy-Zuzanna Rzepecka
He believes that only this direction is the most effective and optimal for a quick recovery. It helps both in recovery and its maintenance (health prophylaxis). He trains individuals and companies, acts as a speaker, conducts social media, consults and advises, writes articles and books.
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