Medicinal Benefits of Hops as Related to Your Muscles

Most of us know Hops as it is related to beer. But there is more to hops than just giving beer its taste, and going along with pizza and sporting events.

I was originally introduced to the benefits of Hops from a friend who told me about an old wives tale of adding beer to Epsom salts and hot bath water to help decrease muscle pain.  This was long before I started practicing massage or even receiving massage.  One night after a hard day of work and coming home with sore muscles I decided to try this remedy. To my amazement, I ended up falling asleep in the tub and waking feeling like a wet noodle. I dried off and went right to bed. I felt great the next morning and now use this remedy anytime I need fast relief and cannot get a massage. Sometimes I’ll even use it after a massage just to ensure better results for myself.

Though there is not much conclusive research about the medicinal benefits nor exactly what aspects of the plant’s chemical make-up help reduce muscle pain and support joint functioning, recently the International Society for Horticultural Science did publish a study that does support its medicinal uses.

Hops is named after its fruit. It is related to the cannabis family and is native to the Northern hemisphere.

What I can gather, Hops has a high source of Vit B3 (Niacin), Vit C, Manganese, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Valerianic Acid.  The aroma of Hops can enter the limbic system.  It would be the combined work of Hops’ Valerianic Acid and its ability to affect the limbic system, that a person can become drowsy. The hops can also cross the blood brain barrier which is another route to the limbic system. The Vit B3 affecting the peripheral circulation can help bring new blood and oxygen to the muscles. While Vit C can help decrease inflammation and help with muscle repair. The Minerals can all help with regaining electrolyte balance and help ease muscle soreness. When combined with Epsom salts, which also contains Magnesium and hot water, we achieve a synergistic affect and more benefits occur.

I have not yet tried buying dried hops and boiling them to add to hot bath water and Epsom salts but I think it would have the same effect as using beer. I have been told you can put the hobs in cheese cloth and add that to the bath water allowing it to brew in the tub. I use what I consider cheap beer, but you can use whatever is handy.

Now you have some idea of other uses of your beer.

As always, make sure to consult your doctor before using any plant or substance that can affect your health. And also remember that if a medicine you already take achieves the same result, taking a plant on top of that will increase any positive or negative effects. Therefore, only use one and if possible go the natural route especially if you have the support of a Naturopathic Doctor.