Humulus,—Hops.

Source and Composition. The strobiles (fruit-cones) of Humulus Lupulus, the hop vine, a cultivated climbing plant of the nat. ord. Urticaceae. The glandular powder of the strobiles is also official, under the name Lupulinum (Lupulin). Humulus and Lupulin contain a liquid, volatile alkaloid, Lupuline, also wax, resins, Lupulinic Acid and a Volatile Oil which consists in part of Trimethylamine and Valerol, the latter being changed into Valerianic Acid by long exposure, giving a disagreeable odor to old hops.

Preparations.

Tinctura Humuli, Tincture of Humulus,—20 per cent. Dose, ʒj-ij.

Lupulinum, Lupulin,—a bright-yellow powder,—Dose, gr. ij-xv.

Extractum Lupulini Fluidum,—alcoholic. Dose, ♏︎x-ʒj

Oleoresina Lupulini, Oleoresin of Lupulin,—Dose, gr. ij-v.

*Infusum Lupuli, Infusion of Hop, (B. P.),—1 in 20. Dose, ℥j-ij.

Physiological Action. Humulus is a bitter tonic, a feeble hypnotic, also diaphoretic, anaphrodisiac and astringent. It increases the cardiac action and the cutaneous circulation. After slight cerebral excitement it produces calm, and a soporific disposition.

Therapeutics. It is used as a tonic and calmative in—

Delirium Tremens of mild form,—a mixture of the fluid extracts of Lupulin and Capsicum is very efficient, and an excellent substitute for Alcohol.

Dyspepsia, of atonic form,—Humulus is a very serviceable remedy.

Inflammation,—a Hop poultice is a favorite domestic application.

Nervous Irritability,—the Fluid Extract of Lupulin as a calmative and hypnotic; or the Hop pillow, which exercises considerable influence.

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.