Relief Menopause Symptoms with Hops Tea
Hops - Humulus Lupulus
Origin: Bulgaria
Used part: Flower
Description:
Hops, humulus lupulus in Latin, is best known for being used to give flavor to beer. This herb is native to Europe and today it is produced in temperate climates in many countries around the world. This is a perennial climbing herb that grows in fields called hopfield or hop yards or gardens. It is a quick growing and spreading twining vine that reaches great lengths. Its leaves are dark green and shaped like a heart with finely toothed edges.
The best and most useful part of the hops plant is the cone-shaped flower. These small flowers contain the nutrients and bitter oils greatly appreciated both in traditional medicine and for commercial purposes. Hops bloom in late summer and by early autumn the flower cones ripen and are picked. As soon as harvesting is done, the flowers are immediatly sent for drying to preserve their medicinal components and flavoring properties.
Health benefits:
Hops is a plant rich in nutrients, making each cup you drink a healthy and nutritious beverage. It contains vitamins A, B-complex, and B3; minerals such as calcium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium and zinc. Hops also contains volatile oils, valerianic acid, tannins, flavonoids, estrogenic substances, resin, lupulone and humulene.
Taking hops tea may help improve your digestion. Its bitter properties help stimulate stomach juices and boost your metabolic rate. This could help you when you suffer from indigestion or heartburn. Its calming features also soothe digestive problems due to nerves and stress. Hops tea may even help improve your appetite, relieving burping, soothing peptic ulcers and helping your stomach to remain calm as you enjoy your meals. This herbal tea may also treat intestinal issues such as constipation, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome, calming spasmodic action in the colon. It may get rid of the harmful elements and parasites that could be causing flatulence or even diarrhea.
Hops tea is ideal for women who are going through menopause. This female tonic may help calm nerves and mind, while at the same time relieving symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and insomnia. This herbal infusion contains the natural estrogen you may need at this time. Blend this herb with black cohosh for fighting these symptoms. For nursing mothers, this tea is said to help boost the supply of breast milk. However, it is not advisable to take this tea while breastfeeding unless recommended by your doctor. Monitor your baby's reactions carefully.
Good Herbal Remedy:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Anti-spasmodic in case of menstrual cramps
Directions:
- Put 2 tablespoons of herb to a liter of water
- Turn off when the water reaches boil
- Cover and leave the solution muffled for about 10 minutes
- Strain and drink
How to Drink:
Take 2 to 3 cups a day.
Applied topically, hops tea may be good for your skin, keeping it healthy and clean. It may be used for its antiseptic action to clear and heal sores, wounds and other skin injuries. Soak a towel in warm hops tea and apply to the inflammed area for a calming and healing action that could even help relieve pain associated with arthritis. After a long day, soak your feet in a foot bath infused with hops to clear away any possible harmful agents while helping to rest our tired feet and improving the skin.
Contraindications:
If you suffer from depression, then speak to your doctor about drinking this tea so that s/he may recommend the proper dosage for your particular situation and medication. Large amounts of this tea are best avoided in this situation. If you are pregnant then it is best to avoid hops tea altogether, as it causes uterine contractions that stimulate menstruation. Breastfeeding women should avoid this herbal tea as it is not recommended for children under the age of 2. In fact, children over 2 and adults over the age of 65 should stick to weaker forms of this tea. If you suffer from excessive acidity in the stomach, then it is best not to drink this tea as it may be used to stimulate digestive fluids and make you feel worse.
People taking medication to control sugar levels in the blood should not drink this tea, as it may enhance the effects of the medication and your sugar levels could drop to dangerous levels. This herbal tea is best not taken by men, as its sedative effect and impact on estrogenic production may prove to cause a drop in male libido. Unless you are searching for a solution to relieve sexual excitability, then you should not drink this tea.