By the Seed SistAs
Our earliest memories of hops aren’t tied to the plant itself, but rather to the experience of being in those spaces where hops were ever-present. As kids of the 70s and 80s, it was normal for us to be in pubs and workingman’s clubs growing up, sometimes to even fall asleep under tables with coats as pillows. 
There’s a certain smell that is reminiscent of childhood—an earthy, bittersweet aroma with a hint of spice; something faintly floral mixed with cigarette smoke and that hoppy, happy breath of our parents and their mates, both familiar and comforting.
The first sip of beer, pilfered from dad’s pint, was a shocker. Expecting it to taste how it smelled—warm, inviting, maybe a bit fruity – instead, it was bitter, harsh and dry. Yuk! Didn’t stop us going in for more though!
It wasn’t until years later that we truly discovered what hops looked like though. When pubs got makeovers and were tarted up with brewery décor, many were draped in the hop strobiles (flowers), papery green cones hanging from drying racks, with their delicate layers curling out like tiny fingers. If you hold a dried strobile in your palm, you can feel the fragility, and as you crush it between your fingers, you will get a release of pungent, almost peppery scents super familiar if you have any relationship with pubs!
History of Hops Herb
There are countless stories of this climbing wayside weed, the Hops, spanning medieval monasteries, raucous Bavarian beer halls and herbalists dispensaries. These pungent smelling pollen rich green flowers known as strobiles, famed for giving beer the characteristic bitterness and aroma, have a history as rich as the golden lagers they flavour. Beyond the pint-glass, hops have threaded their way through folklore, medicine, and even the first recorded drug laws, all while quietly offering relief from a host of menopausal symptoms, digestive complaints and sleep issues.
A Plant of Monks and Medicine
The hop plant (Humulus lupulus) is a climbing perennial with a penchant for twining around anything in his path. Native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia, hops were first cultivated in the early Middle Ages. Though their modern identity is tied to beer, monks in mediaeval monasteries were among the earliest to explore their medicinal properties. Long before they hopped into the brewing process, these little green cones were steeped in teas and tinctures, valued for their sedative qualities and ability to calm the nerves.
It was not until the 9th century that monks in Bavaria began adding hops to beer as a preservative and flavour enhancer. The tradition stuck and hops quickly became the backbone of beer brewing in Central Europe. But these little flowers didn’t just shape the taste of beer; they also played a pivotal role in shaping society’s earliest drug regulations.
Brewing Laws and the Birth of Beer Purity
In 1516, the Duke of Bavaria, Wilhelm IV, decreed the Reinheitsgebot, or Beer Purity Law. This famous regulation allowed only barley, water, and hops in the production of beer. Though initially motivated by concerns over public health (and the desire to control grain supplies), the law effectively stamped out the use of other brewing ingredients—such as psychotropic herbs like Henbane and Mugwort—that had been a common feature of folk brews. But this is another story….check out our book Poison Prescriptions for more on this.
By choosing hops, the Reinheitsgebot positioned the plant not only as a key ingredient in beer, but also as a symbol of “pure” and regulated intoxication. This marked one of the earliest examples of a government using plant-based substances to control the behaviour and health of its populace. Hops are a sedative, anti-testosteronic and can act as depressive on certain types of people – wonderful way to illicit control!
Hops in Medieval Medicine
The famous German abbess and herbalist, Hildegard of Bingen included Hops in her comprehensive medicinal guide Physica. Hildegard extolled hops for their “bitter principle,” which she wrote about being fabulous for preserving foods, calming inflammation, and acting as a natural sedative. Her observations were some of the earliest recorded links between hops and their preservative qualities, hinting at the future role they would play in beer brewing.
Digestive and Sedative Powers: Hops in Herbal Traditions
Medieval and Renaissance herbalists identified hops as a key remedy for digestive issues and nervous disorders. The plant’s bitterness is central to the medicinal use—bitter herbs to stimulate the digestive system by encouraging bile production, aiding in the breakdown of fats and relieving symptoms like indigestion and bloating.
The herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, in his 1652 Complete Herbal, praised hops for their ability to “open obstructions of the liver and spleen”, and recommended hop teas and tinctures for relieving melancholy and nervous tension. He also mentioned the popular practice of filling pillows with dried hops to combat insomnia, a remedy that we still employ today. The mild sedative effects of hops made them a trusted ally in calming anxious minds and promoting restful sleep.
Hops Herb and Women’s Health
There is a long tradition of prescribing hops to address women’s health issues. Early herbalists noted their effectiveness in regulating menstrual cycles and alleviating symptoms associated with menopause. The connection lies in hops’ phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic the body’s estrogen. While the link between hops and estrogenic activity wasn’t fully understood until modern times, early healers intuitively used hops for conditions linked to hormonal imbalances, such as mood swings and irregular cycles. Researchers have now uncovered the information about the phytoestrogens, plant-based compounds that mimic the action of estrogen in the body. This discovery catapulted hops into the spotlight as a natural treatment for symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
Phytoestrogens, specifically 8-prenylnaringenin found in hops, are considered some of the most potent of their kind. In supplement form or as an ingredient in menopause-relief teas, hop extracts have been found to help restore hormonal balance and offer relief to those experiencing the fluctuations of perimenopause and menopause. This is a striking example of how a plant once celebrated for its role in brewing is now finding new purpose in a wholly different context. As with any plant, the application’s success will be determined by the patient’s own constitution.
N.B. In herbalism we think of the digestive system as the Earth or grounding to a person, so this would need to be functioning well before any hormonal shifting treatments were attempted.
Midwifery and Hops
One of the more intriguing aspects of hops’ use in women’s health is the herb’s historical connection to midwifery and the folk herbalism of the 17th and 18th Centuries.
Hops are anti-inflammatory, calming, and antimicrobial, thus super useful for sitz baths—where a person sits in a shallow bath covering just the pelvic area—employed to relieve discomfort, aid healing, and promote relaxation. Hops were added to these baths, helping to reduce swelling, soothe soreness, and support the recovery process after childbirth. Hops were especially useful in managing perineal pain, promoting tissue healing, and calming any nervous tension for new mothers. While other herbs like lavender, chamomile, and calendula were also commonly used, hops offered specific benefits through their bitter resins and essential oils, making them a valuable tool in traditional postpartum care.
Hops in Early Pharmaceutical Preparations
As herbalism gave way to more formalised medical practices in the 18th and 19th centuries, hops found their way into early pharmaceutical preparations.
Apothecaries crafted tonics and bitters containing hops to treat digestive issues, anxiety, and restlessness. One notable example is the “Hop Tincture,” a popular 19th-century remedy prescribed for cases of nervous exhaustion, hysteria, and insomnia. The tincture, made by steeping hop cones in alcohol, was often combined with other calming herbs, like valerian and lemon balm.
Even as pharmaceutical science evolved, hops retained a place in both folk and conventional medicine. Their continued use as a natural sedative and digestive aid speaks to their effectiveness, as well as to the enduring legacy of traditional herbal practices.
Famous Cousin!
Hops and cannabis are closely related because they belong to the same botanical family, Cannabaceae. Though they serve different roles in human culture—hops (Humulus lupulus) as the flavouring agent in beer, and cannabis (Cannabis sativa) for the plants’ psychoactive, medicinal, and industrial uses—these two plants share important similarities in their genetics, biochemistry, and growth characteristics.
Shared Botany and Genetic Links
Both hops and cannabis are flowering plants with similar physical traits. They are dioecious, meaning male and female flowers grow on separate plants. This trait is key in both species: for beer production, only female hop cones are used, while in cannabis, female plants are valued for their resinous buds.
On a genetic level, hops and cannabis have a surprisingly close relationship. Research shows that their genomes have high levels of similarity, reflecting their shared evolutionary ancestry. In fact, the plants diverged from a common ancestor around 27 million years ago. Scientists studying one species often draw on knowledge from the other, especially in the context of breeding and cultivation techniques.
Similar Compounds: Terpenes and Beyond
One of the most interesting connections between hops and cannabis lies in their chemistry, particularly the production of terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for the scents, flavours, and some of the therapeutic effects in both plants. The distinctive smell of hops—citrus, pine, spice, floral—comes from these terpenes, which are also abundant in cannabis. Limonene, myrcene, and humulene are some of the terpenes found in both plants, contributing to their shared earthy, woody, and citrusy aromas.
Interestingly, humulene, which is named after hops (Humulus lupulus), is a terpene that appears in significant amounts in certain cannabis strains. This terpene is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which is why both hops and cannabis have been explored for their medicinal potential.
The Green Revolution in Your Glass and Medicine Cabinet
Next time you sip a frothy beer, consider that the humble hop is more than just a brewing ingredient. With wide ranging medicinal properties, history of regulation, and role in folklore this wonderous plant can both define a culture and adapt to its evolving needs. From monastic brews to modern menopause relief, hops are a testament to the enduring power of the plant world—a power that goes far beyond what’s in your pint glass.
These blog articles are herbal education resources, produced by the Seed Sistas. Gain insights and join us in the evolution of healthcare, please do leave a comment or question. Wellbeing empowerment for all…
