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Hops Extract (Humulus Lupulus)
Hop Extract is a pure resin extract of hops containing hop oils, beta acids and alpha acids. Hops Extract Derived from the carefully dried pinecone-like fruit of the hop plant, grown in Europe, Asia and North America. Hops were at one time used as a sedative. In cosmetic formulation hops extract is used as an anti-inflammatory, natural preservative, which also has a mild firming and softening action.
In 1976, ca 100,000,000 kg of hops were grown, solely for the brewing industry (Bradford, 1979). Bitter substance obtained from glandular hairs of strobilus used by brewers for giving aroma and flavor to beer. Originally used for their preservative value, the hops were only later noted to impart a flavor to beer. There is one german patent for adding hops to sausages as a "natural" preservative. Substance prevents gram-negative bacteria from growing in the beer or wort. Amount of essential oil varies from 0.2–0.5%. Oil of Hops also used in perfumes, cereal beverages, mineral waters, and tobacco. Stems are source of fiber like soybean stalks, cotton stalks, flax shives and similar agricultural residues and have, been suggested for pulp or biomass production. Fiber has relatively high lignin and low pentosan content, with a cellulose content lower than any of them. Sometimes used for filler material in corrugated paper or board products, but unsuited for corrugated paper because of low pulp yield and high chemical requirement or for production of high-grade pulp for speciality paper. Young bleached tops used as a vegetable, especially in Belgium. Romans ate the young shoots like asparagus. Alcoholic extracts of hops in various dosage forms have been used clinically in treating numerous forms of leprosy, pulmonary tuberculosis, and acute bacterial dysentery, with varying degrees of success in China. Hops extracts are said to have various biological activities (antimicrobial activities due to the bitter acids, especially lupulone and humulone), strong spasmolytic effects on isolated smooth muscle preparations; Hops steeped in sherry make an excellent stomachic cordial. Leaves and flower heads have been used to produce a fine brown dye.
Dried strobili used medicinally to remedy swellings and hardness of the uterus. A cataplasm of the leaf is said to remedy cold tumors. The dried fruit, used for poultices and formentations, is said to remedy painful tumors. The pomade, made from the lupulin, is said to remedy cancerous ulcerations. Hops is a folk remedy for boils, bruises, calculus, cancer, cramps, cough, cystitis, debility, delirium, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fever, fits, hysteria, inflammation, insomnia, jaundice, nerves, neuralgia, rheumatism, and worms. Delaware Indians heated a small bag of leaves to apply to earache or toothache. More interesting was the Delaware use of hops as a sedative, drinking hop tea several times a day to alleviate nervousness. Chinese healers use hops to treat tuberculosis and as an antibiotic. Test-tube studies show that the bitter acids in hops inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and fungi, including the common bacteria Staphylococcis aureus (responsible for staph infections) and Bacillus subtilis; but do not inhibit Escherichia coli, a bacterium that causes digestive upsets. This antibacterial action may account for the preservative effect of hops in brewed beer. A 1999 study also showed that some compounds isolated from hops were effective in test-tube studies in reducing the proliferation of certain types of human breast and ovarian cancer cells. As of 2002, hops extract is being studied as a possible cancer chemopreventive.
Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
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