The word "hops" probably makes most think of a beer ingredient, but hops have beneficial health uses as well.
Description
The hop plant is a perennial climbing vine, and is grown commercially throughout Northern Europe and the United States. Growing up to twenty feet long, the vine has small, three to five-lobed, serrated leaves. Male and female flowers are a yellow-green color, each growing on separate plants. The male flower resembles a hanging panicle, and the female flower, also called strobile or catkin, is what is harvested.
Growing
Plants can be started from underground stem cuttings. Place cuttings in a port for one yar before planting in the ground. Or larger, more developed rhizomes can be mail ordered. Plant three to five plants or cuttings per clump, spacing about six inches apart, in full sun. Place poles, vertical wires, trellising or other structure to support the vines. Hop vines are easy to grow, and the 'Cascade' type seems to be especially vigorous. Best zones for growing hops are US zones 3-7, and will withstand low temperatures down to -35F, or -37C.
Pests
Hops may get aphids or spider mites. Try spraying off with water first; if that doesn't work well enough, use some insecticidal soap spray.
Harvesting
Female strobiles or catkins are collected usually in the autumn when they become a yellow-brown color. The hop catkins should be immediately dried in a dehydrator or oven at 125-150 degrees F. Since they lose their effectiveness rapidly when stored, the hops should be frozen immediately after drying. Is is also suggested that the hops either be placed in tightly closed jars or double plastic bags, either one with as much air taken out as possible.
Uses
Beer
In beer making, hops are used for bittering, flavor and aroma, and detailed literature is available on extracting the herb for brewing to get the desired flavor. Many varieties are used for this purpose, each with its own bitterness/aroma/oil factor numbers. Hops have been used in beer making since the eleventh century.
Medicinal
Many commercially-bought herbal tea preparations with "relax" or "sleep" on the label usually have hops as one of their main ingredients. Hop tea can be used to relax, and is also used for insomnia and restlessness. This tea is also good for digestion, and is taken one hour before meals for this purpose. To make tea, steep one teaspoon hops in one-half to one cup of hot water. Hop pillows or "dream" pillows are another way of using the herb to help insomnia. research has show the herb to relax smooth muscle and may help menstrual pain.
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