Almost everyone has heard of hops.  Its a key ingredient in beer and ale and premium beers brag that they contain more of it than other beers.  Not many people realize that the primary reason beer makes you sleepy is the hops.  Hops is a close relative of nettle, which I covered in a previous post.
    Hops have been used for many centuries as a sleep aid.  It is also used to stimulate the appetite, to reduce stress, to relieve gas and bloating, and to relieve cramps and muscle spasms.    Because of its bitter properties, it is useful as a digestive aid.  Hops is a folk remedy for boils, bruises, cancer, cramps, cough,  delirium, diarrhea, dyspepsia, fever, fits, hysteria, inflammation, insomnia, jaundice, nerves, neuralgia, rheumatism, and worms.
    Externally, hops mixed with cammomile is used as an aid for swelling and inflamation.