Discover the secret soothing power of hops before bedtime
You don't need to meditate with a hyped-up Instagram app or pay £55 for a "grounding ritual." Just one simple drink before bedtime is enough to feel blissful peace, sleep through the night without trips to the fridge, and wake up refreshed. Bonus: your stomach will settle too.
No, this isn't a new marketing elixir from Instagram. It's as old as the hills—a herb known by 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 a dioecious plant, meaning it has male and female flowers? If you didn't, congratulations on gaining new knowledge. It's from the female flowers that you brew a health-promoting beverage that comes to the rescue.
The drink calms the mind, stomach, and hormones
Common hop, or Humulus lupulus, is a climber with character. And although its cones look like miniature Christmas ornaments, they have more power than many pharmacy supplements. They act as antispasmodics, help with digestion, regulate muscle tension in the intestines, and in the evening—lull you to sleep like an audiobook narrated by Krystyna Czubówna. They also 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 turning into a battleground.
If you're dealing with insomnia, premenstrual tension, menopause, or just a day when everyone and everything is annoying you, a hop infusion does the trick. It soothes, calms, regulates hormones, and… can also make your trousers not scream 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
And I'm not talking about the special alcoholic drink that's a hit at every barbecue, nor the infusion for good sleep. I mean something entirely different. Applied to the skin, it improves hair condition; in a bath, it soothes muscle and joint pain. And if someone ever tells you that hops are a "man's thing," you can laugh it off—it’s been used for centuries in women's rituals, weddings, and herbal bouquets. Moreover, its estrogenic action speaks for itself.
You can drink the infusion, bathe in it, or simply add it to your pillow (really—people used to do this, like my great-grandmother who swore by it). But it's best to brew a hop drink and enjoy it in the evening. Simply pour 2 teaspoons of hop cones with 200 millilitres of hot water. After 5-10 minutes of brewing, the drink does its magic. And does it well.
The infusion is meant to relax and fully calm you, so it's better not to mix it with wine, a cocktail, or vodka. Yes, even beer is out. You can relax with a crime film, but you’ll likely fall into Morpheus' arms before you find out who the murderer was. Ideally, you should drink this infusion up to 30 minutes before your planned bedtime.
Be cautious with this drink if you're taking sedatives (as they may amplify each other's effects) and antihistamines. The product is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there are currently no studies confirming whether compounds are transferred into breast milk.
