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BACKGROUND:Hops have long been used to make beer, but they also have a long, though less well known, history of medicinal use. Hops are harvested from a climbing vine that only grows at certain latitudes: not too far south because the plant requires long hours of daylight to blossom, but not too far north as it cannot survive harsh winters. They have been cultivated in northern Europe since the ninth century, and Germany remains the largest producer. The part harvested is called a strobile, which is a cone-like flower structure which contains numerous overlapping scales. Only female strobiles are harvested for either beer or herbal remedies.

Hops are used in beer production to add flavour and to act as a preservative. Such uses have been known for many centuries, with other medicinal uses proposed in only the last century or two. Hops have been used medicinally for many different purposes, most commonly to treat mild anxiety and to promote sleep. Apart from the usual teas and capsules, pillows filled with hops are available with claims that the aroma is sufficient to help people sleep.