A hardy, twining, herbaceous climber, it has clinging hairy stems and 3-7 lobed palmate leaves. Male and female flowers are borne on different plants the male ones are in small inconspicuous clusters, the female in cone like, pale-green inflorescences, which are the hops used in beer making.
History and traditions
The hop plant was described by Pliny, who named it “lupus salictarius”, or “willow wolf”, for its habit of twining round willow stems and strangling them “as a wolf does a lamb”. The Romans ate the young shoots as vegetables, as did country folk in Britain into the 20th century. Its major importance was that it changed the character of beer, acting as an efficient preservative (it has bacteriostatic properties) and giving it a bitter flavor. It was first used for this in Flanders in the 14th century, but there was great opposition to it in Britain, where it was thought to “spoil” the traditional ales, so it was not in general use there before the 17th century. Even then John Evelyn wrote, “Hops transmuted our wholesome ale into beer. This one ingredient … preserves the drink indeed, but repays the pleasure in tormenting diseases and a shorter life” (Pomona, 1670). But it did become established as a medicinal plant and Culpeper’s view was that a “decoction of the tops cleanses the blood, cures the venereal disease, and all kinds of scabs, itch, and other breakings out of the body; as also tatters, ringworms, spreading sores, the morphed, and all discoloring’s of the skin”.
Related species
Aureus has golden-green foliage and it makes an attractive and vigorous ornamental climber for the herb garden.
Growth
Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soil and a sunny position or partial shade, but is a vigorous plant that grows under most conditions. Propagated by softwood cuttings in spring.
Parts used
Female flowers (strobilus) dried; oil distilled from flowers; fresh young shoots.
Uses
Medicinal
Has sedative and antibacterial properties and is taken internally in infusions or tinctures for insomnia, nervous tension and anxiety; applied externally for skin complaints.
Culinary
Young shoots can be cooked and eaten like asparagus.
Aromatic
Dried flowers are added to sleep pillows, distilled oil used in perfumes. Active principles are thought to help prevent ageing of skin and brittleness of hair. Flowers or essential oil are included in rejuvenating baths and hair treatments.
General
Flowers (hops) used to flavor beers and ales, distilled oil and extracts used in the food industry.
