Hops

Although we typically view hops as an ingredient in beer, in reality, it’s a medicinal plant used in herbal medicine. The perennial vines of Humulus lupulus climb on anything they reach so planting them next to a fence provides perfect support for the plants as they grow. The vines become tough over the season but retain their sticky quality as do their leaves. When they’re ready to flower, the vines project out grape-like clusters of flowers also known as strobiles that are fluffy and feel paper-like, reflective of Air’s elemental influence. And when they’re ready to harvest, we can either turn them into beer or in my case, medicinal tincture for later use. Hops dry easily as well and can be stored in an airtight container for use in tea blends.

Energetically, hops are considered hot and dry and contain bitters, resins, volatile oils, tannins, and lupulin. Hops are used medicinally to ease digestion, relax the nerves, and as a sedative or anodyne hops ease pain and insomnia. Because of its tannins and bitter quality, hops tones the liver and increases bile and the flow of urine. Headaches and nervous tension can be relieved with a nice cup of tea that includes hops or hops tincture and the tincture can be taken in the evening before bedtime to relieve insomnia.

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Not a fan of beer, I like using hops in medicinal tinctures and tea blends. Oregon is a craft beer Mecca and apparently, our craft brewers create some outstanding beer. At some point, my harvest will be greater than I can contend with and at that point, my husband will add beer-making to his wine and vinaigrettes he’s been doing. And since our apple trees are doing so well this year, he may add some apple cider vinegar to the mix as well. Until then, occasionally I catch him with a wistful look in his eye.

Although seeds can be purchased, which I have done, hops are typically purchased as small starts or in one-gallon containers. I initially tried to start the plants from seeds, but I had no luck, so I ordered three starts from a seed company and then added more from there. It took me several years before I became brave enough to dig up some rhizomes from my original starts, but I did that this year and planted them on another fenceline near the medicinal herb garden. I also planted some hops that I purchased in one-gallon pots and those are making strobiles this season. The smaller plants probably won’t make any hop strobiles until next year.

But for now, the harvest is on and I’m gathering hops every few days. I dry them along with other herbs I harvest on multi-level drying screens and when they’re dry I either add them to tea blends I’m making or to jars for storage. And I keep some in a smaller jar in the kitchen to add to tea blends should something unexpected arise, either a stomach upset or some nervous tension.

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So, the next time you’re looking through a seed catalog or at your local garden shop, check to see if they have any hops to purchase. Whether you use them to make beer or you don’t consider drying them for use in tea blends. You’ll be happy you did!

Until next time…

Herbal blessings to all!