Naming |
| Botanical Name: |
Humulus lupulus;
|
| Common Names: |
Hops; Common Hops, European Hops
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| Key Name: |
Hops
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| Parts Used: |
Flowers (cones), leaves, stems
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| Sister Plants: |
Humulus japonicus, Cannabis sativa, Humulus yunnanensis
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| Comments: |
Perennial climbing vine valued for hops; attracts pollinators; thrives in temperate climates
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Characteristics |
| Identifying Character: |
Perennial climbing vine (15-25 ft), twining stems, rough textured, lobed leaves, green-yellow flower cones (hops), blooming July-September
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| Stem: |
Twining, rough, green to brown, up to 7 m
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| Leaves: |
Palmately lobed, 3-6 inches, dark green, rough-textured
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| Flowers: |
Green-yellow flower cones (hops), 1-2 inches, in clusters, blooming July-September
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| Fruit: |
Small, dry, nut-like achenes within cones', 'Bitter (cones), mild (leaves)',
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| Taste: |
Bitter (cones), mild (leaves)
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| Odour: |
Aromatic, resinous scent from cones
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| Root: |
Fibrous, shallow root system
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| Image URL: |
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Distribution |
| Distribution: |
Native to Europe, Western Asia, North America; widely cultivated globally
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| Cultivation: |
Full sun, well-drained soil, trellis support; plant cuttings or rhizomes in spring; space 3-6 ft apart
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| Harvest: |
Flower cones: Late summer (August-September); Leaves: Summer
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Medical |
| Therapeutic Action: |
Sedative, anodyne, diuretic, anti-inflammatory
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| Medical Uses: |
Flower cones for insomnia, anxiety, digestion; leaves for minor pain relief
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| Constituents: |
Humulene, lupulin, flavonoids, essential oils
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| Solvents: |
Water, alcohol (tincture), oil
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| Dosage: |
Infusion: 1 tsp dried cones in hot water, 1 time daily; Tincture: 1-2 mL
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| Administration: |
Internal: Infusion, tincture; External: Poultice
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| Formulas: |
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| Contra Indications: |
May cause drowsiness; avoid with sedatives or pregnancy; consult healthcare provider
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| Preparation: |
Infusion: Steep 1 tsp dried cones in hot water 10 min
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| Chinese: |
No documented use in Traditional Chinese Medicine
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| Veterinary: |
Used for calming effects in livestock
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| Homeopathic: |
Used homeopathically for nervous conditions
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Pollination and Pollinators |
| Apis: |
Yes
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| Pollinator: |
honeybees, native bees, late-season pollinators
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| Pollen: |
Yes
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| Pollen Notes: |
Pollen attracts bees, some self-pollination
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| Nectar: |
Yes
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| Nectar Notes: |
Nectar-rich, attracts honeybees, native bees, late-season pollinators
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Other |
| Non-Medical Uses: |
Brewing ingredient, natural preservative, fiber
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| Culinary Uses: |
Flower cones in beer, teas; young shoots edible
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| History: |
Used since 8th century in brewing; medicinal use in Europe since Middle Ages
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| Reference: |
2,
'https://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Humulus+lupulus',
1,
'herbalist1',
'Herbal Community',
|
| URL: |
https://usbm.ca/ency
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| Share: |
Public
|