Other Names: Ömerotu, Mayaotu, Haşişet-ül-dinar, Humulus lupulus, Houblon grimpant
Botanical Information: From the Hemp family; It is a perennial climbing plant that partially dies in a certain season. It can grow up to 7.5 m. Its reddish-green, thin and hard body stretches by hugging whatever it finds; but at the end of summer it dies along with its leaves. The next year, new shoots grow from the same root. Its leaves, which resemble those of a vine, are long-stemmed, 3-5-pieced, large, arranged opposite each other, with toothed edges, normal green color and heart-shaped. The yellowish-green female flower buds, which resemble cones and bloom at the end of summer, become larger and turn into papery bracts when they mature. The male flowers of the plant bloom on separate plants. The hop plant is propagated by seed, by dividing its roots, or by removing its young shoots in the spring and planting them separately.
Places of Cultivation: The plant, which is thought to be native to the Eastern Mediterranean countries, is widely cultivated in Europe for the beer industry. In our country, it is produced in Bilecik and Bursa regions for the same purpose, and also, although rare, examples of hops growing naturally in Northern Anatolia are seen.
Collection – Storage: The cocoons collected in September and October are dried in airy and dry places and then put away. Since hop flakes contain more resin, sometimes only these flakes are separated from the leaves, sieved and used.
Known Composition: Hops plant contains essential oil, bitter substances (humilon, lupulon), resin, tannin and wax. Its female flowers form a substance called strobili lupuli. This substance has been used in beer making for at least 1200 years.
Benefits:
It is a mild sedative.
It is diuretic.
How to Use: Pour 1 glass of boiling water over 1 teaspoon, let it brew for 10-15 minutes and prepare tea. Drink a glass of this tea a day.
WARNING: Long-term use:
It has an anaphrodisiac effect in men.
It may cause menstrual irregularities in women.
