Medicinal plant
Hops
Humulus lupulus
A bitter sedative for sleeplessness.
A traditional sedative/hypnotic used for sleeplessness, and a nervine used when tension or a busy mind makes it hard to settle. Female flower cones (strobiles) are the part used.
Properties
Nervine — Supports, nourishes, or calms the nervous system
Sedative — Calms nervous activity and encourages rest or sleep
Bitter — Stimulates appetite and digestive secretions
Energetics
Cooling Drying Relaxing
Hops is sedating. Avoid combining it with alcohol or other sedatives.
Growing and using it
Life cycle
Herbaceous perennial climbing bine.
What to buy
A female common hops (Humulus lupulus) rhizome or potted female plant. A named cone-producing cultivar such as Cascade is practical if a straight-species plant is not available.
Best way to start
Rhizome or nursery plant.
Seed starting
Not recommended for cone production because seedlings are variable and may be male.