Annual hops (Scleranthus annuus)
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
Annual hops, also known as hops, is an annual plant belonging to the hops family. As the name suggests, the plant rotates every year. This plant usually grows to a height of around 10 to 50 cm and is most often found in dry, gravelly or sandy soils. It has gained widespread popularity due to its medicinal properties. Chamomile cones contain valuable compounds such as flavonoids, bitter substances, tannins and essential oils that are useful in medicine.
One of the main products in which the annual chamomile is used is brewing. The pine cones of the hop plant are added to beer, where they serve as a natural preservative and also give the beer its characteristic bitter taste. Due to its high flavonoid and nutrient content, it is also used in cosmetics, for example in skin creams or hair products, where it helps to improve the texture of the skin and hair. In medicine, annual hops is used mainly for its soothing effects. It is widely used in homeopathy, where it is used to treat nervous tension, insomnia and other stressful conditions. Chamomile cones can also be found in tea blends for their digestive support and pain relief.