Hops

Hops, or the common hop, is a perennial climbing plant of the hemp family, native to West Asia, Europe and North America. Wikipedia says it sends up new shoots in early spring and dies back to a cold-hardy rhizome in autumn, and that male and female flowers grow on separate plants. Kynes says the female flowers form a cone-like fruit used to flavour and preserve beer. Before hops were widely grown, brewing was women's work and so was linked to witchcraft. The Anglo-Saxons nonetheless put hops in a salve against sorcery, and in medieval England garlands of dried vines were hung at home for luck. A small pillow of hop flowers was used as a sleep aid and to interpret dreams. Cunningham gives a pillow of dried hops for sleep and rest, and hops in healing sachets and incenses. Kynes puts a circle of hop flowers on the altar for esbat rituals, and includes hops in spells of attraction. Wikipedia says handling hops can cause dermatitis.