Hops Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

If someone asked you what hops are used for, you’re forgiven for saying brewing beer. Hops are used to brew beer, but hops essential oil benefits and uses actually make this flower from the hops plant a lot more than just an ingredient in beer.

For those who don’t know, hops are the cones on the Humulus Lupulus plant, which although is native to China is now grown all over the world. The essential oil is extracted from hops via a distillation method. It’s an off-yellow color and has a floral and spicy scent.

Hops Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil

Hops Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

Here are some of the known benefits of using hop essential oil:

Relieves Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps vary from almost unbearable, to just a mild discomfort. Either way, it’s not enjoyable having cramps and it can affect your day-to-day life. Using lemon verbena can make a huge difference and is also worth trying if you’re affected by menstrual cramps.

Improves Hair Health

A couple of drops of hops essential oil with olive oil is a natural blend that will improve the strength and feel of your hair. It will leave your hair smelling great too. I bet someone notices and asks what shampoo you used, give it a try.

Relieves Headaches

Suffering from headaches can really bring you down. Diffusing some hops essential oil as you relax can help relieve even the most stubborn headaches. Massaging a little into your neck and shoulders can also loosen the muscles which can also help.

Promotes Better Sleep

If you suffer from insomnia or other sleeping disorders that keep you from having a good night’s sleep you should try diffusing some hops while you drift off. Hops contain natural sedative properties which help you relax and sleep better.

Improves and Treats Skin Irritations

Hops essential oil is known to help relieve skin irritations and help treat some skin conditions. This oil has anti-inflammatory and antiviral agents, and when used topically leaves your skin looking and feeling rejuvenated.

Pain Relief

Hops essential oil has analgesic and sedative properties. It’s a popular choice for people who suffer from chronic pain and provides a natural and easy way to relieve pain.

Hops Essential Oil Blends Well With

If you don’t like the scent of hops on its own, or just want to make an essential oil blend delivering more than just the benefits of hops, it blends well with the following oils:

• Cinnamon
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Lime
• Pine
• Lemon verbena

Ways to Use Hops Essential Oil

Topically – Mixed with a carrier oil you can make a massage oil and use to relax muscles and improve the condition of your skin. Rubbing a small amount into your temples will relieve a headache or migraine.

Internally – Adding a couple of drops to hot water or a herbal tea is a way to ingest hops and gain some of the benefits mentioned above.

Aromatherapy – Hops is a great oil to use in your diffuser. This is the best way to use the oil when you want to relax and sleep better. Alternatively, you can put a couple of drops on a cloth and smell directly.

Hops Essential Oil Side Effects and Precautions

It’s not recommended you use hops essential oil if you’re suffering from depression as it can worsen your depression. As with all essential oils, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from any chronic illnesses you should consult a doctor before use.

In Summary

Hopefully, this post has raised awareness of hops essential oil benefits and uses. It’s not the most well known essential oil, but with a range of benefits that include headache relief, pain relief, and mood and sleep enhancing properties to name a few, it’s one worth considering.

The world of aromatherapy is a wonderful and enticing world. Once you enter it and feel the physical and mental benefits to using essential oils it’s hard to stop. I know I got the bug and am always looking for new oils and blends to try.

If you have any experience using hops essential oil and have any blends or benefits I haven’t mentioned, please share them in the comments to help others.