This may have inspired the plant's botanical name, which means little wolf plant. Historically, hops have been used in various cultures to treat a host of ailments ranging from poor digestion and intestinal disturbances to kidney and bladder stones, constipation, premature ejaculation, insomnia, restlessness and anxiety. Not all of those medicinal applications have been substantiated, but there is evidence for using hops to ease symptoms of digestive problems, anxiety and insomnia. Bitter things stimulate the digestive system via a complex chain of events that begins at the taste buds. A hop tea, which will be quite bitter, can stimulate appetite and aid digestion.
Hops can be particularly useful when indigestion is caused in part by anxiety.
One of the active constituents in hops is a volatile alcohol that is believed to be partly responsible for the plant's sedative properties. Because the plant can relax the central nervous system, hops are often used for anxiety and insomnia. Thus, a more straightforward delivery system is the cup of tea. To brew tea with fresh hops, pour a cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of hops and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink a cup before bed to induce sleep.