Habitat
Type: hedges, scrub
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: lowlands

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 6 meters
Other: hairy vine

Leaf
Shape: palmate
Edge: toothed

Stem
Other: winds itself around support

Flower
Shape: female: cone-like, papery
Arrangement: male: branched clusters
When: July to September
Other: male and female flowers on separate plants
Colour:

Contact with plant may cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Hairs can irritate eyes. Rich in estrogenic substances which may interfere with hormonal therapy. In case of breast cancer consult with health practitioner before consuming.
Marked depression may be accentuated.
May be mistaken for White Bryony Bryonia cretica

February to May
February to April
all year
July to September
September and October

How to Consume
young: raw
young shoots: raw, tea
cooked
tea

Nutrition
Rutin

Used as ...
food
cones (dry): beverage, flavouring, preservative for beer

Action:
cone: anodyne, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypnotic, nervine, sedative, stomachic, tonic

May treat:
cone: boils, bruises, cancer, cramps, cough, cystitis, delirium, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, fever, inflammation, insomnia, jaundice, nerves, neuralgia, rheumatism, worms;
stuffed in pillows to release volatile oils for restful sleep

brown dye
fibre - similar to hemp, but weak

Collection
for medicinal use: when resinous grains have formed inside cone late August to early September when edges also turn brown

Drying
dry in shade carefully

Note
The active ingredient of hop is the resinous grains (lupulin) on the surface of the female cones, mostly at the base of the scales.
The cone-like female flowers are sometimes called fruit when mature, although they change little in appearance, but will develop the above substance.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• palmate: having lobes or leaflets like spread fingers

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anodyne: eases pain (milder than an analgesic)
• antiseptic: prevents putrefaction (applied to wounds)
• antispasmodic: prevents or eases spasms or cramps
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• febrifuge: reduces fever; use only for dangerously high temperature; a raised temperature is the body's way of burning up the pathogen
• hypnotic: induces sleep
• nervine: restores nerves to their natural state
• rutin: antioxidant; strengthens capillaries; may protect against cancer and heart disease
• sedative: calms the nervous system and reduces stress
• stomachic: treats stomach disorders
• tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement