For a plant that's been around for a long time, there are remarkably few older references to it. I have searched all of my usual herbals and haven't found mention of this herb under any name for it that I am familiar with in many of them. As with yesterday's post, I believe that I haven't yet found the name it was known by to our respected Herbalists. If you have more information than I do, please pass it along in the comments section below. Thanks!

Gerard does mention it, calling it by the original Latin name of Lupus. He states that:

The juyce is of more force, and doth not onely remove obstructions out of the intrals, but it is also thought to avoid choler and flegme bv the stoole. It is written, that the same dropped into the eares, taketh away the stench and corruption thereof.

And also:

The decoction of Hops drunke openeth the stoppings of the liver, the spleene, and kidnies, and purgeth the bloud from all corrupt humors, causing the same to come forth with the urine.

Modern reference to its medicinal benefits were much easier to find. Hops are a member of the Cannabaceae family (yes, they're first cousins to Cannabis). It's not really a surprise that the main medicinal use of hops is for treating insomnia, anxiety and nervous tension. It's often paired with Valerian for these purposes. The bitter principles in it mean that it's used today as a stomachic and tonic, just as it was in Gerard's time.

This site goes into a bit of detail and this one has a great list of everything that hops have been reported to do and a list of pharmaceutical drugs that hops might interfere with.

Hops make a relaxing, though bitter, cuppa in the evening. Each variety of hops has its own flavor and level of bitter principles so if you don't like your first cup try another hops variety. There is a variety with lower amounts of the bitter principles called "Teamaker" that was developed specifically for making tea. You could also try adding complementary herbs to flavor your brew.

To make your tea, place the hops in a strainer and cover with boiling water. Let steep for 3-10 minutes. The longer it steeps, the more bitter it will be. Remove the strainer and sweeten if desired. Enjoy!

The strobile is not the only form of hops that can be helpful. The essential oil can be used in a number of different applications. Not surprisingly, diffusing it in your bedroom shortly before you retire may help ease insomnia. This site has some good information about the ways that the oil can be used.

I've always been told that the best way to use hops to help you sleep is with a dream pillow. Here's a video with clear directions on making one. The Gentle suggests making them as gifts but my friends tend to make them for themselves and they do so throughout the year. I will confess to not liking the smell of hops so I made one only once.

I have enjoyed researching this herb even though I have found it somewhat frustrating. I'll keep looking. The really nice thing about learning is that it doesn't stop. I'll find a reference somewhere that will lead me back to here and fill in some of the gaps I couldn't fill today. If you can point me toward some information I missed, I would be grateful. Please remember to like and share. Thanks for stopping by!