Hops - Humulus lupulus (Cannabinaceae)

Description: Perennial climbing plant with hairy stems and long spreading and twining stems often growing up to 30 ft and twisting around themselves like a rope. Leaves are green and heart-shaped and in summer bears green and yellow male and female flowers on separate plants. The female flowers turn into large cones in autumn. Uses: Use the female cones gathered when they are still green and dried until brown. Young shoots up to 8 in long in spring. Used as a flavoring and antiseptic preservative in beer. Female cones are sometimes used to treat insomnia and nervous tension. Poultices help heal boils and swellings. Infusion: Used to prepare more delicate parts of plants. 3 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 1.5 ounce of fresh herbs; pour the freshly boiled water over herbs in a pot, cover the pot and let the herbs steep for at least 10 minutes. Strain and serve. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 24 hours. Decoction: used to prepare barks, roots and berries 4 cups of water to 1 ounce dry herb or 2 ounces fresh herb; finely chop herbs in a pan and cover with the water (which should be cold). Bring this mixture to a boil, cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid off and press as much of the remaining liquid out of the herbs as possible. Refrigerate unused portions, lasts up to 2 weeks. Tincture: A tincture is a good solution for long term treatment as will store for up to two years. 8 ounces of dried herb, 1.5 cups of alcohol (grain alcohol like Everclear), and 4 cups of water; Chop your herbs up finely and put them in a glass jar with a good tight fitting lid. Pour the liquid over the herbs and tighten the lid. Keep the jar in a warm, dark place for 2 weeks. Shake the jar every two days. After the two weeks, strain the liquid off through cheesecloth into a clean colored glass jar and store away from heat and direct sunlight.

Medicinal uses: antibacterial, insomnia, nervous tension