Hops

Best known as a nerve remedy, for insomnia, nervous tension, neuralgia, and also for sexual neurosis in both sexes. It supports the female oestrogens, and is useful for amenorrhoea (heavy periods). ‘A mild sedative, well known in the form of the hop pillow where the heavy aromatic odour has been shown to relax by direct action at the olfactory centres … it is the volatile aromatic component that appears to be the most active.’ It has also been used for heart disease, stomach and liver complaints, including bacterial dysentery.In China it is used for pulmonary tuberculosis and cystitis. Current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia as a specific for restlessness with nervous headaches and/or indigestion.