The glandular powder, separated from the strobiles of Humulus Lupulus.

Characters. - Bright brownish-yellow, becoming yellowish-brown, resinous, consisting of minute granules which, as seen under the microscope, are subglobular, or rather hood-shaped, and reticulate; aromatic and bitter.

When agitated with water and allowed to stand, no considerable sediment (sand, etc.) should be deposited. When ignited, lupulin should not leave more than 15 B.P., 8 U.S.P., per cent. of ash.

Composition.- The lupulin of hops consists of a bitter principle, lupulite, volatile oil, to which the odour of hops is due, and resin. Hops apart from the grains contain a kind of tannin.

Dose.- 2 to 5 grains or more.

Preparations.

B.P.

Dose.

Extractum Lupuli..............................................................................

5-10 gr.

Infusum ,, ...............................................................................

1-2 fl. oz.

Tinctura ,, ..............................................................................

1/2-2 fl. dr.

U.S.P.

Of Humulus -

Tinctura Humuli..................................................................................

1-3 fl. dr.

Of Lupulinum -

Extractum Lupulini Fluidum..............................................................

10-30 min.

Oleoresina ,, ..................................................................................

2-20 gr.

Action and Use. - Hops act as a bitter tonic and stomachic, also slightly as a soporific. In the form of bitter beer they are used in some cases of atonic dyspepsia; and a supper of beer and lettuce, with bread and butter, is markedly soporific, from the combined effect of the hops and lettuce.

A hop-pillow is sometimes used in sleeplessness of fevers, but its use is probably due, not to the action of the volatile principle of the hops, but to the mechanical elasticity and softness of the pillow. The crackling of the leaves in this pillow may be stopped by sprinkling a little alcohol on them.