What are hops? It is a very useful plant used in brewing, medicine and landscaping. Not everyone knows how to use it. In this article we will talk about how hops are useful for the body, we will give some useful recipes for its use. We will also learn how to plant it at home or in the garden, what are the rules for care, collection and storage.
Hop plant: description
Many people know that this plant is used in brewing. But not everyone knows what hops look like.
There are three types of hops:
- Regular.
- Japanese.
- Heart-shaped.
Only one type is suitable for production - ordinary. Our article is dedicated to him.
- This is a climbing plant whose stems reach a length of 5-7 meters. They are all covered with hook-like spikes.
- Hop leaves are large, five-lobed, with strong petioles.
- He has two flowerstypes - female and male. The second are similar to panicles. Each flower has several stamens on long filaments. They are needed for the production and distribution of pollen. It is very light, spreads over a distance of up to three kilometers. The female flowers produce those beneficial buds that make hops so prized. Their scales are immature leaves. In the bosom of each there are 4-6 flowers, consisting of their pistil and sepal.
- What are hops? This is a long-lived plant that reaches the age of 20 years or more.
Hop is widespread. It is found in the Caucasus, Western Siberia, Eastern Siberia, as well as in the CIS countries located in the European part.
Planting and growing hops is possible in any area. This plant is not afraid of either frost or heat, tolerates drought and rain, is indifferent to dust and gas contamination of the environment. You can plant hops both in the garden and on the balcony in the apartment. How to grow a hop plant, we will tell further.
Benefits of hops
The rich chemical composition of common hop makes it an extremely useful plant for the body. It is used for the preparation of medicines, decoctions for various diseases. Hops are also used to make skin and hair-friendly drugs.
We propose to consider in detail the benefits of this plant:
- Phytoestrogen is a very valuable plant hormone found in hops. They use preparations from this plant for women, as they have an effect on stabilizing theirhormonal background. Hops are useful during menstrual irregularities (for normalization), with painful cycles, after childbirth, when hair loss and skin problems begin due to hormonal imbalance, with menopause - to normalize the condition.
- If you suffer from insomnia, it is hops that will help restore sound sleep, as they are endowed with calming properties.
- Hops are a natural sedative. It is used to relieve stress and anxiety, in the treatment of mental disorders.
- This plant is used to increase appetite, to normalize digestion, and for inflammatory processes in the digestive tract.
- What are hops? It is a natural antispasmodic. It is able to reduce any kind of pain, as it not only relieves the spasm itself, but also blocks the sensitivity of nerve endings.
- The plant is also useful for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Hop extract is found in many formulations designed to prevent and relieve heart attacks.
- The plant benefits the kidneys and the entire genitourinary system. Hops are used for urolithiasis, to prevent the formation of stones, as well as for pyelonephritis, cystitis, nephritis.
- Hop benefits the hair, awakens and stimulates the bulbs, strengthening them. The plant has a strengthening effect on the hair structure.
- In cosmetology, hops are used due to the presence of antioxidants and other components useful for the skin. Hops-based products accelerateregeneration of skin cells, help in the fight against mimic and age wrinkles.
Contraindications
Everyone needs to know that hops are not only very useful, but also poisonous plants. Even a small overdose can lead to the most undesirable consequences, such as headache, nausea, and an allergic reaction. There are a number of conditions in which the use of hops is completely contraindicated:
- Individual intolerance. The use of hops should not be started immediately. You need to do a test first. If there is intolerance to any substance contained in hops, it can manifest itself as a banal urticaria or anaphylactic shock.
- Impaired kidney function.
- Pregnancy. In no case should hops be used by ladies in an interesting position. The fact is that during pregnancy, the hormonal background is rebuilt, and hops normalize it, which can lead to both uterine bleeding and the death of the baby in utero.
- During breastfeeding, hops should also not be used, because toxic substances can enter the baby's body with milk. If you have postpartum hormonal problems, hair loss and more serious consequences, where the use of hops can really help, then refuse to breastfeed your baby for the duration of treatment.
Next, let's talk about how to grow a hop plant in your garden or on your balcony. In apartment conditions, many plant this plant as a decorative ornament,because hops are very beautiful.
Balcony conditions
If you want to grow hops on your loggia, you will need to purchase large pots (more than 15 liters). The roots of the plant are large, they need space. If there is not enough room for roots, then the hops will grow stunted, will not be as decorative as we would like.
How many stems, so many supports, for which the plant will cling to in the future. Some install figurines made of wood or aluminum wire. Wrapping around them, the plant creates real masterpieces.
Water potted hops once every two to three weeks, not more often.
Hop care in autumn on the balcony is simple. It is necessary to remove the cones, cut the plant, removing all dry shoots, and wrap the pots in a dense cloth, leave it on the balcony or put it in the pantry, after watering. Light should not fall into the pots, it will be necessary to water the earth once every one and a half months. As soon as the snow melts, you can open the pots, water. It will be possible not to remove them from the balcony at night, as the plant tolerates frosts well.
Soil quality and site selection
Under natural conditions, hops love shade. He chooses ravines for growth, hides behind tall plants and bushes. However, on the site you will need to choose a sunny place for it. The soil the plant loves is fertile, rich in humus. Here are some rules for planting a seedling:
- For planting, choose a site on the south side of the house. Between the plants you will need to put supports,ensure good drainage.
- PH Requirements: 6.5 to 8.
- You need to dig holes at a distance of a meter from each other. They should be 30-40 cm deep. First you need to pour sand into the planting pits, then compost and fertile soil.
- The rhizome is the underground part of the creeping stem. It needs to be deepened by 6-10 centimeters. The roots should look down, and the rhizome itself is laid out horizontally.
- Tamp the ground, water, sprinkle with mulch (hay or straw).
- The first shoots appear after 2 weeks, but they must be cut off in order for the plant to form strong new shoots. As soon as the stems reach a length of 40 cm, they need to be tied to a support.
- Hops grow fast, so they need fertilizers containing nitrogen. It is not necessary to feed the plant, but it is desirable. If you notice that the leaves of your hops have begun to shrink, you need to apply fertilizer.
- The plant is watered without waiting for the soil to dry out. Avoid stagnant water, water only under the root, not falling on the foliage.
The root system of hops can endure even the harshest winters. Pruning can not be done in the fall. The above-ground part will die off, and you can remove it in the spring. The rhizome will continue to develop underground. If you are afraid that the roots will freeze, cover the plantings with hay, and in winter throw snow.
Collecting and storing hops
Harvesting is easy. It is very important to create the right storage conditions. If this is not done, the plant will lose its beneficial properties. How to dry hopsat home? Consider the basic rules:
- You can only collect and use female inflorescences, that is, cones.
- Some people recommend waiting until they turn yellow, but in this case, the raw materials will not be so useful. Collection is made at the peak of flowering. You need to collect these light green cones. They have already gained useful substances at this time.
- Collection usually takes place in mid-August. To do this, choose a dry and sunny day. Collect raw materials after dinner, when the dew has already dried on the hops.
How to dry hops at home? It is necessary to spread fabric or paper in a dry, warm, well-ventilated area. In one layer, you need to place the cones on the canvas and leave them for a period of 7 to 10 days. Next, you need to pour the cones into fabric bags and store them in a dry, warm room. Shelf life is 2 - 3 years.
Let's look at how to use hops.
Fight insomnia
Everyone knows that it is better to use natural raw materials than synthetic preparations. If you have problems with sleep, then hops will help solve them. How to use? There are two ways:
- Choose from the collected cones yellow and yellowish. They are not suitable for making decoctions (you can specifically leave the cones on the plants to overripe). Fill your pillow with these buds, but mixed with down or other soft material, as sleeping on the buds alone is impossible. You will breathe in essential oils and beneficial substances, and in the morning you will wake up refreshed. You can also make sachet pillows and fill them with coneshops.
- Brew a teaspoon of cones in a glass of boiling water, cool, drink half an hour before lights out. This infusion will help you fall asleep quickly, you will not wake up at night.
Hair loss, dandruff
If the problem of hair loss is very acute, hops will help. Rinsing the hair with a decoction of this plant will strengthen the roots, prevent hair loss, accelerate their growth, and get rid of dandruff. This is such a useful plant. The use of hops for hair is as follows:
A tablespoon of cones is required per liter of boiling water, all this is placed in a thermos for 4 hours. Next, strain the infusion and use it for its intended purpose. They should rinse their hair after every wash. In three weeks, the condition of the hair will be much better.
Gastritis, colitis
For gastric diseases, you will need to drink 50 ml of hop infusion before each meal for two weeks. How to make an infusion?
- In 250 ml of boiling water, brew a tablespoon of raw materials.
- Let it brew for at least 3 hours, then strain.
It is not recommended to take longer than the specified period, as there is a threat of intoxication.
Cystitis
Hops will also help relieve inflammation and reduce pain in this disease. But it is worth remembering that the use of a plant-based drug is beneficial only in complex treatment with medications. It is impossible to refuse doctor's appointments, as this is fraught withcomplications.
- In a quarter liter of boiling water, brew a tablespoon of cones, cook in a water bath for 10 minutes. Then strain and cool, take the entire course of treatment, 50 ml 4 times a day.
- Take a teaspoon of hops, chamomile and bearberry, brew a glass of boiling water, keep covered for two hours. 50 ml should be drunk three times a day.
Liver, gallbladder
For the treatment and restoration of organs, take 30 ml of infusion three times a day. There is only one condition: within half an hour after taking the infusion, you can not even drink water. If you do not comply with the condition, you will not achieve a positive result.
- For 500 ml of boiling water you will need a tablespoon of hop cones.
- Brew in a thermos or in a jar, but wrap it tightly with a blanket.
- Infuse the remedy for 4 hours.
- Strain.
For skin
Troubled by acne, often boils, urticaria, allergic redness, redness after deep cleansing? Hops can do it all!
- Break a tablespoon of cones in half a glass of boiling water.
- You can wash your face with strong infusion or wipe your skin with it by soaking a cotton pad in it.
- To eliminate bags under the eyes and fight wrinkles, you can use washing or wipe the skin with ice cubes from this infusion.
Conclusion
What are hops? This is a gift of nature itself for our he alth. But it must be approached carefully, because excessive consumption of any remedy is fraught with unpleasant consequences. Follow the recommended proportions in the recipes anddosage.
