Hop Oil
Proven health benefits of hop oil:
- Aids in weight loss.
- Boost’s sleep quality.
- Alleviates cough and congestion.
- Reduces anxiety and depression.
- Treatment for urinary tract infections.
- Relieves with menstrual cramps.
- Reduces hair fall and dandruff.
What is hop oil?
Hop plant (Humulus Lupulus) is a member of the cannabaceae family of flowering plants native to Germany. The hop plant is a perennial, vigorously climbing plant. Hop plants have separate male and female plants. For commercial production purposes, the female plant is used. The main producing countries are the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, China and Poland. Hop oil extracted from the dried flowers of the hop plant through a CO2 extraction process for use in bittering, flavouring beer thus impacting its characteristic aroma. Hop oil is a preferred choice in beer production due to its ease in use, can be used repeatedly and is time saving as compared to dry hopping producing similar effects. The different varieties of hop oils are; myrcene, humulene, caryophyllene and farnesene. Myrcene hop oil the most prevalent type most preferred for its citrus aroma in beer.1
What is hop oil useful for?
Traditionally hop oil has been used in beer production. Hops have proved to reduce anxiety, sleep disorders such as insomnia, and shift work disorder. Also, it’s beneficial for restlessness, tension, and the reduction of menstrual cramps.2 Hop oil has helped deal with cognitive problems such as depression and anxiety. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to handle menopausal symptoms such as dryness of the vagina.3 Hop oil is also beneficial for hair growth as it reduces hair fall and dandruff. Also, it prevents the formation of kidney stones and another urinary tract infection (UTI). It’s helped prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases and aiding in destroying cancerous cells.4
Health Benefits:
- Prevents and treats cardiovascular diseases due to xanthohumol, a property found in hop oils, is believed to be effective for good heart health.
- Lessens menopausal symptoms due to the oestrogen-like chemicals present in hops relieve hormonal changes that emerge during menopause.
- Beneficial against some types of cancer such as colon, ovarian, and breast cancer. xanthohumol present in hop oil can help kill cancerous cells.
- Effective in maintaining good cognitive health by protecting the brain from damage and brain disorders by dealing with stress and depression.
- Hops may improve the quality of sleep by promoting sleep hence reducing insomnia.
- Alleviates coughs and congestion by soothing irritated parts of the respiratory system.
- Reduces hair fall and dandruff due to the presence of essential oils and vitamins in the oil may help open tiny pores, boosting hair growth and lessening hair fall.
- Relieves menstrual pain due to the soothing properties present in hops easing menstrual pain and overcome menstrual irritation naturally.
- Aids in weight loss due to the flavonoids present in hop oil beneficial to some symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
- Prevents the formation of kidney stones by reducing the level of calcium hence prevent the formation of the stones.
- Effective in dealing with premature ejaculation used to enhance sexual prowess in men.
Nutrition
One hop cone contains:
- Cellulose - 40-50%
- Protein -15%
- Water -10%
- Alpha acids -2%
- Essential oils -1%
- Sulphur-1%
Toxicity:
When hops supplements are taken correctly, they are safe and have minimal adverse outcomes. Hop’s oil may also worsen depression in some cases. People who have hormone-sensitive conditions should avoid using hop oil. Hops may cause tiredness and sleepiness. Therefore, if you are scheduled for surgery, stop taking hop oil two weeks before.