Hop
Useful properties, application and cultivation of hops
Botanical characteristics of hops
Hops are perennials with a creeping and long rhizome. The stem of the plant is curly, on its ribs there are sharp thorns in the form of hooks. On the stalks of hops, which can be up to 7 meters in length, the leaves are arranged in opposite position on long petioles. During flowering, unisexual flowers appear, which are located in the axils of the leaves. The fruit of the hop is a brown nut with a seed inside. The plant blooms from mid-summer to late summer. Fruits ripen in late August - early September.
Hops are found throughout Russia, the Caucasus and Asia. Hops prefer moist, fertile soil in the forest, between bushes and in ravines.
Growing hops
Hops grow best in partial shade and in areas that are protected from northerly winds. The soil for growing hops should be moist and fertile, preferably loamy. In autumn, for planting, pits are made, into which manure and earth are poured in equal proportions. And in the spring, you can plant cuttings or hop seedlings in prepared pits. Cuttings must be cut from old plants that are at least three years old. Hop seedlings should be one meter apart.
Hops can be propagated in several ways: by seeds, root suckers and by dividing rhizomes.
Only those hop varieties that grow for one year are propagated by seeds. In this case, the seeds are simply sown in the spring in the prepared soil.
The division of rhizomes is also carried out in the spring - at the time of the appearance of the first shoots. Division is done with a shovel, but you do not need to dig out the bush.
Cuttings of rhizomes are cut into pieces of 15 cm long. Each cutting should have 2-3 pairs of buds. Already cut cuttings of rhizomes must be planted at an angle. If it is not possible to immediately plant the cuttings, then they are covered with moss or wet sand until the day they are planted in the soil.
Hop care is simple. He needs constant weeding, watering and loosening. And in the first years after planting, it is necessary to apply fertilizers to the soil, because this contributes to the rapid growth and development of the plant. As the hop grows, it is necessary to look after the hop roots as they can creep outside the planting area.
Useful properties of hops
Hops contain resins, bitterness, essential oils and flavonoids, which are responsible for the soothing effect of hops on the human body. The herb has anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant and antihelminthic properties. Hops are a plant that not only improves appetite, but also normalizes the digestive process. Hops have analgesic and soothing properties. In addition, it is used as a good laxative and hypnotic. Oddly enough, but hops is a means that reduces sexual arousal. In addition, the plant does an excellent job of dealing with depression.
The use of hops
Hops have long been used in traditional medicine, and their main property is soothing and pain relieving. It is recommended to use hops for gastritis, diseases of the bladder and kidneys, fatigue and neurosis. A decoction is prepared from hop flowers, which is used for cancer of the stomach, lungs and edema. And the infusion of hops helps in the treatment of colds, dropsy, malaria and visual impairment.
The infusion is also used externally - in the form of compresses, which are applied to bruises, bald spots, wrinkles on the face and wounds on the skin. An ointment is prepared from hop cones, which is used for rheumatism, abscesses and neuralgia. A decoction of cones is used externally in the form of baths for insomnia. A pillow filled with hop cones can also help with insomnia. Bumps also help in the treatment of many other, very different diseases.
Hop oil. To prepare hop oil, take a half-liter glass jar and fill it with hop cones (which have been ground beforehand), then fill them to the top with olive oil. Leave the mixture to infuse, and when the mixture settles, add oil. Place the container with the composition in a dark place for a week. Remember to shake the contents of the jar every day. After straining the finished oil, leave it to stand for 3 days. The oil is ready for use. Most often it is used for rubbing the female breast (for the development of the mammary glands).
A decoction of cones for insomnia. To prepare it, take 1 teaspoon with the top of the hop cones and fill them with 100 ml of boiling water, after which we put the mixture in a warm place for 15 minutes. Take a ready-made broth twice a day for a calming effect or at night 1 hour before bedtime, 200 ml.
Hop cones tincture. Take 1 tablespoon of hop cones and place them in a glass jar with a glass of vodka or alcohol. Leave the jar to brew for 10 days. After insisting, filter the contents of the jar. This tincture is taken 15 drops (10 drops can be used) three times a day.
The decoction of hop cones is used to give the hair a shine and splendor by rinsing it after washing.
Contraindications to the use of hops
Hops are safe for absolutely everyone, but if you use them in acceptable doses. Excessive doses of hops will lead to poisoning, symptoms of which are vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
