Enjoy the uses of Hops
Humulus lupulus
by Netta Zeberoff

The use of hops in brewing was known since Roman times. The use was resisted until the 17th century, Henry V111 petitioned against the use of Hops and called it a "wicked weed that would spoil the taste of the drink and endanger the people". Drinks that were brewed with herbs as costmary and ground ivy were known as ale, whereas drinks that were brewed with Hops were given the German name of "bier". Pliny observed the tendency of Hops to intertwine around willows and other trees, he called the plant "willow wolf", then it gained its Latin name lupulus.

Hops have been used as a medicine for an extremely long time. Modern research shows that Hop extracts relax smooth muscle, especially that of the digestive tract, therefore it is useful in combination with other herbs in the treatment of disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and nervous stomach. The pollen from the strobiles can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive people. The hormonal properties of Hops can affect female hop pickers. Women that pick Hops can suffer a disruption and even a complete absence of menstrauation due to the absorption of the oestrogenic principles in Hops (through their hands), and men can have an anaphrodisiac reaction. It may be the hormonal properties of hops that account for the alleged skin sofening properties.

The young leaves were blanched (to remove bitterness) and added into soup as a young spring green.The shoots used to be served and eaten like asparagus is today. The stems were woven into baskets and trays, and they also make a durable cloth and paper. The dried leaved were boiled and used as a brown dye.

Relaxing, Sleep Pillow
4 cups Hop flowers
2 cups Bergamont
15 drops Lavender oil
2 cups Rose petals
5 ml Passion flower tincture
Mix the herbs, oils and tincture together in a bowl. Put into a cotton bag and use it as a pillow to help one relax and sleep. The Hops may be used by themselves, however they do have a strong hoppy odour. By adding alcohol to the hops, the voltile oils are more easily released.

Hops Beer
3oz. Hops flowers
3 gallons water
4# raw cane sugar
1oz fresh Ginger root
1/4 cup brewers yeast
1 small slice of rye bread

Bring the Hops and Ginger to a boil. Simmer together for 30 minutes. Add the sugar, and continue to simmer an additional 30 minutes. Let the mixture cool to lukewarm, then add a small piece rye toast that had 1/4 of a cup of brewers yeast rubbed into it. Let stand until it starts to bubble, and work. This is the fermenting process which will take 2-3 days. Strain through a fine cheesecloth, and let it settle for a couple of hours, then gently siphon off into individual bottles and seal. Allow at least 5 days before drinking.