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| DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied. |
Image| CAUTION NOTE: TOXIC consequences as especially noted in hops pickers are fever, sleeplessness, excitability, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, feeling of heaviness, no appetite. NEVER use in cases where depression is indicated as hops would further depress the highest nervous functions. Also - the plants can cause contact dermatitis in susceptible persons. |
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9 Feb 2006 The following is from an email I received from a brewer who knows his hops and appears here with his permission. Thank you, Mr. De Piro. |
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"Hops that have turned at all brown are well past their prime. They should be harvested in late August/early September while still green and moist. When rubbed between the palms they should be sticky and pungent, the exact fragrance dependent upon variety, but many smell citrusy or pine-like. They should not smell in the least bit cheesy. The best way for the home grower to preserve hops is to dry them immediately upon harvest and store in mylar bags under an inert atmosphere in a freezer. Oxygen and heat are very damaging to them. The dry hops will still be green, and will still smell much like freshly-picked hops. I have always been appalled at the poor condition of hops found in health food stores; they are invariably stored in the open air at room temperature, and are brown, brittle and cheesy. They are often ridiculously expensive, too. People should know that fresh hops can be obtained at homebrew shops for about $8 per pound. Breweries pay far less. George de Piro Brewmaster, C.H. Evans Brewing Company at the Albany Pump Station 19 Quackenbush Square Albany, NY, USA 12207 (518)447-9000 www.EvansAle.com Brewers of Kick-Ass Brown: Twice declared the Best American Brown Ale in the USA at the Great American Beer Festival (2000 & 2002)!" |
MEDICINAL:
Relaxant nerve remedy used as a sleep inducer, sedative, to relax smooth muscle function, to relax central nervous activity.Antiseptic and anti-inflammatory and has been used for infections of the upper digestive tract.Locally antiseptic when used as a poultice.Has been used for nervous dyspesia, nervous colitis, palpitations, nervous and irritable coughs, nervous digestive problems, classic hysteria, amenorrhea with nervous association, in males for premature ejaculation and sexual neuroses.Has also been used for asthma and to treat tuberculosis and chronic bronchitis.Has been used to relieve headaches and toothaches (flowers heated and applied to face as poultice.)Has been used to lower fevers and promote urination (strongly diuretic)Has also been used to expel worms, stimulate milk flow, for leprosy, dysentary, skin ulcers, and frostbite.Possesses estrogenic and antiandrogenic activity (super action of female estrogens but depress male hormones). A male anaphrodisiac.
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