Surprising Uses For Hops You Didn't Even Know Existed

Did you know that hops have a variety of other uses other than making beer? Believe it or not, hops can be used in several different ways to improve your life. Melvin Brewing will discuss six surprising uses for hops that you may not have known about in this blog post. From improving your sleep quality to reducing anxiety, hops can do it all!

Beer

This one is known by people who tend to buy beer, but it must be covered. Brewers have used hops for centuries to add flavor and bitterness to their beers. The female flowers of the hop plant are what are used in brewing. Hops can be used fresh or dried and typically come in pellet form. There are over 100 different varieties of hops that can be used to produce different flavors in beer. Melvin Brewing uses a variety of hops in their beers, including Amarillo, Columbus, Centennial, Simcoe, and Chinook.

Herbal Tea

Hops can also be found in some herbal teas. They are often combined with other relaxing herbs such as chamomile, lemon balm, and Passionflower. This makes for a great tea to drink before bedtime as it can aid in sleep quality. It can also help relieve anxiety and stress. Hops contain sedative properties that help relieve anxiety and stress, making them the perfect ingredient for an evening cup of tea.

Insect Repellent

The oils in hops can be used as insect repellent. This is a great natural option for those who want to avoid using chemicals on their skin. They are especially effective at keeping bugs away from your skin. Simply crush up a few hops of flowers and rub them on your skin to keep the bugs away. Hops can be used in lotions, sprays, or added to candles to keep bugs away.

Skin Care

Hops are also good for your skin! They can be used to treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It can reduce redness and irritation. The anti-inflammatory properties of hops can help to soothe and heal the skin. Hops can also be used as a natural moisturizer, which is great for dry skin.

Hair Care

Hops can also be beneficial for your hair. They help strengthen hair, promote growth, and reduce frizziness. Hops contain polyphenols which are known to protect hair against damage. They also have silica which can help to add shine and volume to hair.

Holistic Health

Hops are being studied for their potential use in treating cancer and other diseases. This is due to the presence of xanthohumol in hops. Xanthohumol is a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Hops are also a good vitamin B and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc. They are also being studied for their role in gut health and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

As A Natural Preservative For Food

Hops can also be used as a natural preservative for food. This is due to the presence of bitter acids in hops. These acids help to preserve food and prevent spoilage. Hops can be added to pickles, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods to help extend their shelf life.

While hops are most commonly used in beer with Melvin Brewing, there are many other ways that they can be beneficial to us. Hops can be used as a natural sleep aid, help relieve anxiety and stress, keep bugs away, treat skin conditions, strengthen hair, promote growth, reduce frizziness, and even potentially treat cancer and other diseases. Holistic health practitioners have long been using hops for their various benefits, and more research is being done on their potential use in treating various illnesses. If you want to try using hops for any of these purposes, consult with a holistic health practitioner or do your research to find the best way to use them.