Article written in collaboration with Alexandra Berry.

We know hops as one of the cornerstones of beer. Possessing both bittering and aromatic properties, they give beer its distinctive aroma and diverse nuances. Originally used in beer for its preservative qualities, they were also used for a long time as a medicinal plant.

Today, 98% of the world’s hops are used in brewing. As one of the basic ingredients of beer, along with water, malt, and yeast, hops give beer its bitterness and its herbaceous, fruity, spicy, or floral aromas. In addition to enhancing flavor, they help fight microorganisms that can infect the brew. This is, in fact, the origin of India Pale Ales, beers heavily hopped by English breweries to survive the long voyage to the Indian colonies.

Finally, the quality of the foam can also vary depending on the hops and the quantity used in the brews.

However, hops have been used for their medicinal properties since antiquity, whether by the Greeks and Romans to treat intestinal disorders, by the Cherokee Indians to relieve pain and kidney problems, or in traditional Chinese medicine where it helps relieve insomnia, intestinal cramps, and digestive issues. Finally, in India, Ayurvedic medicine promotes hops to relieve anxiety, stress, migraines, and indigestion.

Benefits for us

Thanks to their chemical composition and the beneficial properties of their essential oils, hops are therefore full of benefits for both body and mind. Each of these oils is composed of chemical elements naturally predisposed to fight infections, parasites, and microbes.

Primarily known for its anti-anxiety properties, hops are recommended as an herbal tea to relax and promote restful sleep. It aids digestion and contains vitamins E, B6, and C, which strengthen the immune system.

Hops are sometimes recommended to combat the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, sleep and fatigue problems, or even depression.

Hop extract is often used in creams and lotions to protect and nourish the skin. Packed with antioxidants, it helps fight impurities and purify the skin. Essential oils are also good anti-inflammatories and can help treat skin conditions. It is also used to combat hair loss!

Essential oils

Each of its essential oils will contribute to shaping a plant that is not only full of aromas, but also a shield against infections.

Humulene (or alpha-caryophyllene)

This component is the most well-known to brewers because it is the most abundant in hops and the most prominent in beer due to its herbaceous and bitter aromas. It is also antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anorexigenic (appetite suppressant). Humulene can also work with other terpenes and cannabinoids to reduce cancer cells and their spread.

Myrcene

Also found in cannabis, myrcene not only provides an earthy and spicy clove flavor, it is also an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic* and antitumor* agent.

Limonene

Limonene is also abundant in citrus fruits, hence its name, and in certain plants (rosemary and peppermint). Some plants use it to repel insects and parasites because it is a natural insecticide. It also serves as an anti-anxiety and antidepressant, and according to some studies, it may increase concentration and attention span.

Pinene

Found in very large quantities in conifers – as its name suggests – it is therefore responsible for the resinous aromas found in beer. In addition to being an expectorant and bronchodilator (it helps with breathing, present in “Vaporub” for example), it is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, and anticancer properties.

Linalool

This terpene, with its floral lavender scent, is often used in household products for its wonderfully fresh aroma. It also possesses numerous therapeutic properties:

• Sedative, relaxing and sleep-inducing: you will often find dried lavender in hotel rooms and spas.
• Immune system booster and anti-inflammatory
• Anti-anxiety medication
• Helps restore cognitive functions (it is used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s)
• Skin regenerator for topical application (for scars, for example)

Beta-Cariophyllene

A natural insect repellent thanks to its powerful peppery aroma, it is present in many plants and spices such as black pepper and cloves. In hops, it imparts woody notes to beer. Beta-caryophyllene is an excellent analgesic and therefore helps to combat local pain (often used for toothaches).

It can also help alleviate chronic pain because it interacts with receptors in the endocannabinoid system to alter the perception and regulation of pain and inflammation. CBD strains with a high concentration of beta-caryophyllene are sometimes used to combat arthritis and neuropathic pain. It may also help with kidney failure caused by chemotherapy.

Finally, it helps fight depression and anxiety and is an excellent antioxidant.

This shows that, in addition to contributing to the flavor of one of the world’s most popular beverages, hops offer a wealth of benefits. Their use in brewing is therefore clearly significant, and we can only encourage the widespread adoption of hoppy drinks, whether beer, hop teas, flavored waters, or oils!

However, be careful to limit your alcohol consumption. As we saw in the previous article, oils make up only a very small part of hops, so you would have to consume them in very large quantities, or in very concentrated amounts, to reap their benefits… Drinking liters of beer won’t get you very far in fighting an illness or anxiety… although, in the case of anxiety, that’s debatable…?

Sources:

https://blog.homebrewing.org/what-are-hop-oils-explained/

https://www.barthhaas.com/en/barthhaas-blog/blog/what-is-hop-oil

https://beerandbrewing.com/hops-oils–aroma-uncharted-waters/

https://extractionmagazine.com/category/special/hop-oil-health-benefits/embed/#?secret=9phulrZNJ3