Discover the secret sleep elixir: Harnessing hop power
You don't need a hyped-up Instagram app to meditate or spend many dollars on a "grounding ritual." A simple drink before bedtime can bring you blissful peace, helping you sleep through the night without late-night kitchen raids, and wake up refreshed. As a bonus, it can help settle your stomach too.
This isn't a new marketing elixir—it’s as old as the hills. It’s a herb our grandmothers knew well: the common hop. Does it remind you of beer? It should. But the true power of hops extends beyond your mug, especially when you brew it correctly. By the way, did you know hops are a dioecious plant, meaning there are distinct male and female flowers? If not, congratulations on learning something new. Female flowers are used to brew this health-promoting beverage that comes to the rescue.
The drink calms the mind, stomach, and hormones
The common hop, or Humulus lupulus, is a climber with character. While its cones may resemble miniature Christmas ornaments, they pack more power than many pharmacy supplements. They act as antispasmodics, aid digestion, regulate muscle tension in the intestines, and in the evening, they lull you to sleep like an audiobook. They also have antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. A hop drink supports the intestines and stomach, so you don’t have to worry about digestive discomfort.
If you’re dealing with insomnia, premenstrual tension, menopause, or just a day when everyone and everything is annoying you, a hop infusion offers relief. It soothes, calms, regulates hormones, and can help ensure your pants fit comfortably in the morning. Drink this beverage at night, and the next day enjoy a flat stomach. All benefits, right?
This drink has many uses
And I’m not talking about the special alcoholic drink that's a hit at every barbecue, nor the infusion for good sleep. I mean something entirely different. Applied to the skin, it improves hair condition; in a bath, it soothes muscle and joint pain. And if someone ever tells you that hops are a "man's thing," you can laugh it off—it's been used for centuries in women's rituals, weddings, and herbal bouquets. Its estrogenic action speaks for itself.
You can drink the infusion, bathe in it, or simply add it to your pillow (really—people used to do this, like my great-grandmother who was a firm believer). But it's best to brew a hop drink and enjoy it in the evening. Simply pour 1 gram of hop cones with 7 ounces of hot water. After 5-10 minutes of brewing, the drink works its magic. And it does so well.
The infusion is meant to relax and fully calm you, so it's better not to mix it with wine, cocktails, or vodka. Even beer is out. You might relax with a crime movie, but you’ll likely fall into Morpheus' arms before discovering the murderer. Ideally, drink this infusion up to 30 minutes before your intended bedtime.
Be cautious with this drink if you're taking sedatives, as they may amplify each other’s effects, or antihistamines. The product is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there are currently no studies confirming whether its compounds are transferred into breast milk.
