Hops essential oil | Humulus lupulus

Traditional use: Common hop (Humulus lupulus) has quite a rich tradition in Europe, particularly as an aromatic addition to beverages. It is hard to imagine a decent beer without hops and its rich smell. We might describe it as a sweet, refreshing and herbal aroma with some bitter notes. Keep in mind, though, that this herb is not used exclusively in beer brewing. Hops might also be used as a spice and natural medicine resource. Some people use it to prepare an infusion that provides a lot of health benefits. It is also quite common to use essential oil obtained from hop cones. 

The oil is an optional, yet pretty important addition to the cosmetics since it contains a lot of flavonoids and other antioxidants that prevent premature aging of the skin. It helps to firm the skin giving it a healthy and younger look. What is more, hops oil strengthens the immune system because its active substances support the organism in the fight against infections and prevent the spread of inflammation. Do not forget about emotions! Traditionally, hops have been used in order to reduce emotional tension caused by everyday stress or anxiety. And if you have trouble sleeping, hops are a good pick either. It helps to calm down and induces a good night’s sleep. That is why experts of natural medicine prefer to use it in the therapy of sleep issues.

Occurrence: Common hop (Humulus lupulus) is a perennial plant belonging to the Cannabaceae family of herbs. Its creeping stem reaches up to 6 meters in the natural habitat. On it there are densely packed, hooked, small hair. The leaves are placed on long, hairy petioles. They have a lanceolate or palmate shape; they are made of 3 to 5 lobes and have serrated edges. Since hops is a dioecious herb, some plants develop male inflorescences and some female. The main difference is their structure. Male flowers grow in the corners of the leaves while female flowers have a distinctive shape – they look like cones. The light-brown fruits are quite small.

Common hop comes from Southern Europe and Southern America. Nowadays it is cultivated all over the world. Its most known types are from Asia. It is not hard to maintain hops – it doesn’t require a lot. It grows most effectively on a slightly humid soil and sunny or partially shady place. The essential oil offered in our show has been collected from hops cones collected in India.

Biochemistry: Hops essential oil is produced mainly from lupulin – a dark yellow powder that comes from female fruits – the so-called cones. It’s the lupulin that makes hops such an aromatic, bitter addition to beverages. Hops owes its unique smell and properties to the composition of many active substances, including monoterpenes (mostly myrcene), sesquiterpenes (beta-caryophyllene, humulene and fernezene). 

The oil available in our shop is produced with a method of steam distillation from dried hops cones. Thanks to that every drop is optimally condensed and has an aroma bouquet unique for this plant.

Fun fact: Depending on the moment when you add hops during beer brewing, this herb exhibits different properties. Hops added at the beginning of brewing adds bitterness but loses its aroma while cones added near the end provide great aroma but are much less bitter.