Herbs Guide

Hops

Family Name: Cannabidaceae

Botanical Name(s): Humulus lupulus

Popular Name(s): Humulus, Common Hop, Hops

Parts Used: Fruits

Habitat: A climbing plant native to Europe, Asia and North America.

Description: The plant is a twining climber with bristly stems and coarsely toothed leaves. Tiny green male flowers are produced in branched clusters and larger female flowers appear in hops "strobili" beneath soft, pale green, aromatic bracts.

Uses: It is used internally for nervous tension, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, nervous digestion (including irritable bowel syndrome) and premature ejaculation. Hops helps to promote sleep and decrease the desire for alcohol. Used externally for skin infections, eczema, herpes and leg ulcers.