Hops: useful properties and contraindications

Hops are not only one of the components of beer, but also a healing plant. Hops is a small climbing perennial plant from the hemp family. In horticulture, it is often used to decorate arbors, fences and slopes due to its ability to curl and braid. It has cone-shaped female inflorescences and branched, leafless male panicles containing a high concentration of useful elements.

 

 Useful properties of hops

 

 It is recommended to collect flowering hops in clear weather a few days before full ripening. In this case, the bracts still cover the cone. During this period, the hops have a greenish-yellow color. Dry the hops in the open air, making sure that the sun's rays do not fall on it. The shelf life of dried hops is one year. It is important to remember this, because otherwise, instead of benefit, it can only harm the body.

 

- Hops promotes a rapid metabolism in the body, normalizes the functioning of the intestines, kidneys and liver.

 – Has a calming effect, recommended for neurosis and insomnia.

 - Due to the high content of phytohormones, hops perfectly stimulates almost all biological processes in the body. 

- Struggling with hypertrichosis - haughty facial hair growth.

- Phytoestrogens, which are part of hops, are able to increase the breast. For this, decoctions and homemade creams are used.

- Improves metabolism in the body.

- It has a strong analgesic effect. Included in many painkillers.

- Treats infertility if you take decoctions and teas from hops for more than six months or a year.

- Strengthens the muscles and the musculoskeletal system of a person, therefore it is advised to people suffering from paralysis and rheumatism.  

 

 Hops contain:

 hop resins, bitter substances, ascorbic acid, valeric acid, hops acid, nicotinic acid, lupulin, carotene, glycoside, choline, thiamine, yellow dyes, tannins, flavonoids, gum, essential oil, wax, vitamin B, vitamin PP.

 

Hop application

 

 Hops - a plant in which "nothing is wasted." All parts of this amazing plant are used for different purposes. Inflorescences and leaves - more for health purposes and cooking, roots and stem - for industry.

No one knows exactly when and how hops appeared in human life. One of the oldest memories of hops is the story of how the ancient Jews in Babylon got rid of the invasion of leprosy, thanks to a beer drink containing hops.

It is eaten raw.

- Young shoots replace asparagus in spring.

- Hop essential oil and ground powder are part of many medicines, one of the most famous is Valocordin heart drops.

- An ointment made from hop extracts is used for wounds, ulcers, baldness, rheumatism and sprains. Hop inflorescences are indispensable in the treatment of urology.

- It is very good to take baths with hops, they relax, relieve swelling and help with atherosclerosis.

 - Hops strengthens hair well, prevents hair loss, eliminates oiliness, and eliminates dandruff.

- Treats acne and rashes on the face.

- Hop stalks can be used to make paper and yarn.

Hop tea has a powerful hypnotic, analgesic and sedative effect.

- Dry hop cones are placed in a pillowcase. They release essential oils and promote deep and restful sleep. Especially recommended for people with a busy work schedule. — — It is an excellent dye for wool and silk. Almost no paint and varnish production can do without hops.

- Indispensable for the preparation of beer and various alcoholic beverages.

- Also used in bread baking and confectionery.

- A decoction of hops has anti-inflammatory, antihelminthic, anticonvulsant properties.

- Included in various fees and teas.

- In many beauty salons, the “beer bath” service, beer massages are available today. It is curative and has the effect of rejuvenation precisely due to the content of hops.

- Used in the treatment of urinary organs, as well as syphilis.

- Hops have a pleasant aroma, and therefore, are actively used in perfumery.

“Despite the fact that hops are most widely used in brewing, many other industries also cannot do without this miraculous plant and its magical properties, thanks to which we can strengthen our body and protect ourselves from many diseases.

 

Contraindications

 

There are not many contraindications, but they are and are of exceptional importance for people who are going to start a course of hop treatment. Hops contain toxic elements, therefore, when used in food or in preparations taken orally, the dose should be strictly controlled. Preparations containing hops are most often potent. Therefore, an overdose can cause allergies, poisoning of the body, headaches and disorders of the central nervous system of the body. Signs of hop poisoning sometimes occur even when the plant is harvested. This can cause general malaise, headaches, apathy, drowsiness and irritation of the skin. Not recommended for pregnant women and people who have individual intolerance. It is important to remember that hops are a poisonous and potent plant, so you can not self-medicate. Be sure to consult a doctor before taking it and clearly determine the rate of drugs or decoctions that is acceptable for each individual organism.