Hops are the female flowers of the plant “Hop”. These herbs are used as a flavoring agent in beer and are the choice of every brewer to get the best taste and flavor in his beer. Hops were discovered in the early 11th century and were first used as a flavoring agent in beer, but later it was used in herbal medicines. Cultivated in many parts of the world, Hop plant has many different species, which are used differently. It has a strong aroma and a sour taste. But you need to not drink beer to get the benefits of this amazing herb! There are other ways to use the goodness of hops for your health and beauty.
Skin Benefits Of Hops
As a herb, it has been used to treat various skin related diseases. Some of the skin benefits of hops are:
1. Keeps Skin Young
Hop is a good source of antioxidants, which means that it helps the body fight against free radicals, giving the skin a radiant and youthful glow.
2. Treats Skin Inflammation
It may be the main ingredient in beer but also used in various cosmetic products for skin treatments. The oils and minerals in the plant provide an anti-inflammatory effect on the skin and are used to decrease the surface blood vessels.
3. Treats Leprosy
As it contains anti-inflammatory properties, hop is used to treat leprosy. Although it is not clear how hop helps in the treatment of this disease, it is clear that its herbal properties make it a valuable source of treatment.
Hair Benefits Of Hops
You must have heard or even used beer to wash your hair. Yes, beer is good for your hair because it contains hops!
4. Reduces Hair Fall And Dandruff
Beer gives a natural shine and helps to reduce dandruff. Beer is also used to rinse the hair because it contains antioxidants and mainly hops, which help to reduce hair fall. The hop extract can also be directly used to wash your hair. First, rinse the hair with a mild shampoo, then use hop extract on the scalp. It is quite helpful in the treatment of scalp and dandruff. The essential vitamins and oils present in the hops help to open the tiny pores of the scalp and reduce the hair loss. The oils in this herb help to cure the dead skin on the scalp and remove dandruff, which blocks the pores of the scalp. It is easily available in the market, but can also be used directly from beer, which has high contents of it.
Other Health Benefits Of Hops
Hops are also used to treat insomnia. As they are related to the “cannabis” family, they are used as a drug for relaxing muscles and treating people suffering from anxiety.
6. Relaxes And Soothes Muscles
It helps in relaxing the aching muscles and body pain. Easily available, it is used in many painkillers.
7. Treats Different Ulcers
Another property of this wonder weed is that it is used in the treatment of various types of ulcers. It has been proved that the dosage of hops mixed with other essential herbs helps in the treatment of various ulcer causing bacteria.
8. Improves Digestive System
Improving the digestive system, hops fasten the metabolism of the body. People suffering from various digestive disorders can go for this herbal medicine.
9. Provides Relief From Toothaches
The anti-inflammatory property of hops provides relief from a toothache and other oral diseases.
These are just a small part of the healing properties of hops. It can be used in several different ways to cure many diseases. The benefits of hops are not just limited to its beer making. It is also used as an active ingredient in flavoring yeast, which is further used in different medicines and baking products.
10. Relieves Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the biggest problems most people face today. And if it is your problem too, then you better start using hops essential oil right away! The sedative quality is what makes hops essential oil useful in combating anxiety and mood swings. It helps calm the mind and body.
11. Boosts the Immune System
Amazingly, hops are also a powerful immune system booster! They have antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antibiotic properties.
Brew up a batch of hop tea when you’re feeling a sickness coming on, or take a few drops of hop tincture to shorten the duration of a cold or flu.
Hops essential oil is an analgesic that has many sedative qualities. It enjoyed great popularity among earlier generations as a sure-shot remedy for chronic pain. So don’t worry if chronic pain is bothering you. Just start using hops essential oil and enjoy the results!
13. Treats Insomnia
As mentioned above, hops essential oil exhibits sedative and soothing qualities. It is a perfect treatment for sleeplessness or insomnia. You can diffuse some essential oil before going to bed and enjoy a peaceful and deep slumber. When you wake up, you’ll be ready to take on the world!
14. Treats Menstrual Cramps
Hops essential oil’s soothing properties and sedative effect help ease menstrual cramps and pain. The sedative quality helps loosen the muscles and reduces pain. It can help you naturally overcome the discomfort during menstruation!
15. Improves Sexual Performance
Hops essential oil helps men enhance their sexual prowess. Hops essential oil helps extend your performance. It can help you effectively counter the problem of premature ejaculation. As hops essential oil has a soothing effect on the body, it helps desensitize certain vital elements that lead to premature sexual stimulation.
16. Alleviates Cough And Congestion
Usually, inflammation and irritation are responsible for most of the common respiratory disorders. Using aromatherapy with hops essential oil helps reduce inflammation and soothe the irritated parts of your respiratory tract. Thus, it effectively reduces coughing and congestion too.
17. Treats Headache
One of the most popular uses of hops essential oil is to ease tension and the symptoms of a headache. The soothing and sedative effects help loosen the muscles of your shoulders and the neck while helping relax the mind and providing relief from mental conditions like paranoia and dementia. The soothing effect allows you to end your headache woes and helps you start your day with renewed energy!
18. Enhances Psychological Health
Hops are a powerhouse of a compound called xanthohumol. It functions to protect the cells of your brain from the oxidative damages and stress. Oxidative stress can damage your vital organs, affecting their functioning – which eventually leads to the onset of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s. You can maintain your psychological health via hops. It will prevent your brain from falling prey to oxidative stress improving your cognition at the same time.
19. For the Treatment of Cancer
Antioxidants are essential to combat factors like free radicals and cancerous cells to keep cancer at bay. Hops are a storehouse of antioxidants and said to be effective to treat various kinds of cancer such as ovarian and colon cancer. However, more studies are underway to support the claim and to find out more convenient ways to incorporate it into the diet of cancer patients.
Nutritional Value Of Hops
As an herbal medicine, it contains various essential oils, vitamins, and minerals, which make it suitable for different uses. Some of the essential oils derived from hops are:
These oils have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory characteristics, which make them perfect for relaxing the body. Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C have antioxidant properties, which makes the immune system more active and less prone to diseases. Some chemicals naturally found in the body are also found in this herb, which helps in balancing the functions of the body.
Though its main function remains in the beer industry, hops is slowly gaining ground as a medicinal herb. It is time we look into this wonder drug and all that it has to offer. That mug of beer can always wait!