The power of hops: Ancient remedy for modern stress and sleep
You don't need to meditate with an app advertised on Instagram, nor pay a lot of money for a "grounding ritual." A simple drink before bedtime can bring you blissful peace, help you sleep through the night without trips to the refrigerator, and allow you to wake up feeling refreshed. Bonus: it will also calm your stomach.
No, this is not some new marketing elixir from Instagram. It's an age-old plant known to our grandmothers — common hop. Does it remind you of beer? Rightly so. But the true power of hops doesn't end in a mug, especially if you brew it correctly. By the way, did you know that hops are dioecious, meaning they have male and female flowers? If not, you've just gained some new knowledge. It’s from the female flowers that a health-promoting drink is brewed, which can save you from trouble.
The drink soothes the mind, stomach, and hormones
Common hop, or Humulus lupulus, is a plant with character. Although its cones look like miniature Christmas baubles, they possess more power than many pharmacy supplements. They have antispasmodic properties, aid digestion, regulate muscle tension in the intestines, and in the evening, they lull you to sleep like an audiobook. Additionally, they have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. A hop drink also supports the intestines and stomach, so you don't have to worry about your digestive system feeling like a battlefield.
If you're struggling with insomnia, premenstrual tension, menopause, or just having a day when everything and everyone annoys you, a brew of hops does the job. It soothes, calms, regulates hormones, and it might even make your pants stop pleading for mercy in the morning. Drink this beverage at night, and the next day, enjoy a flat stomach. All benefits, right?
This drink has many uses
I'm not talking about the special alcoholic beverage that's a hit at every barbecue, nor about the brew that's great for sleep. I'm referring to another application. When applied to the skin, it improves hair condition, and when used in a bath, it soothes muscle and joint pains. And if someone tells you that hops are a "man's thing," feel free to laugh — they have been used for centuries in women's rituals, weddings, and herbal bouquets. Besides, their estrogenic effect speaks for itself.
You can drink the brew, bathe in it, or simply add it to your pillow — really, people used to do that, like my great-grandmother who swore by it. But ideally, make a hop drink and sip it in the evening. Just pour 200 ml of hot water over a gram of cones. After 5-10 minutes of brewing, the drink works its magic. And it does it well.
The brew is meant to relax and deeply calm you, so it's better not to combine it with wine, a cocktail, or vodka. Yes, beer is out too. You might turn on a crime movie for relaxation, but you'll likely fall into Morpheus' arms before you find out who the murderer was. Ideally, you should drink this brew no more than 30 minutes before your planned bedtime.
Be cautious with this drink if you're taking sedatives, as they can intensify each other's effects, or antihistamines. The product is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there are currently no studies confirming whether any compounds pass into breast milk.
