Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Overview
Hops (Humulus lupulus) are the female flower clusters (“strobiles”) of a tall, climbing perennial vine that can reach up to about 23 ft (7 m). Known primarily for its bitter flavor in beer, hops also possess sedative, antispasmodic, and digestive-stimulating properties, making them valuable for tension, insomnia, and mild digestive woes.
Traditional uses & properties
Nervine & Sedative: Helps ease restlessness, irritability, tension, and sleep difficulties; a hop-filled pillow can encourage calm. Digestive Tonic & Aromatic Bitter: Stimulates gastric secretions, useful for sluggish digestion, cramps, and colic. Antispasmodic & Mild Analgesic: May reduce certain types of pain and muscle spasms. Phytoestrogenic: Can increase libido in women and diminish it in men (an anaphrodisiac effect).
Preparations & dosage
Make an infusion and drink 3/4 cup (150 ml) at night.
Safety & precautions
Contraindicated in Depression: Hops can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Estrogenic Effects: Use caution if you have estrogen-dominant conditions or if pregnant. Allergies: Those allergic to hops should avoid. Children: Not ideal for young children as a single herb, though it can be part of a gentle formula.
Drug & food interactions
Animal studies suggest that hops extracts potentiate the analgesic effects of paracetamol, suppress the stimulant effects of cocaine, suppress the effects of diazepam and potentially alter the sedative effects of pentobarbital.
The interaction between hops and paracetamol is based on experimental evidence only. No interactions found.
The interaction between hops and diazepam is based on experimental evidence only. No interactions found.
No interactions found.
The interaction between hops and cocaine is based on experimental evidence only. No interactions found.
The interaction between hops and pentobarbital is based on experimental evidence only. No interactions found.
No interactions found.
Hops contains oestrogenic compounds. This may result in additive effects with oestrogens or it may oppose the effects of oestrogens. Similarly, hops may have additive effects with oestrogen antagonists or oppose the effects of oestrogen antagonists (e.g. tamoxifen).
Habitat
Indigenous to Europe and Asia, hops flourish along roadsides or in open fields and are grown commercially in northern Europe and parts of the U.S. The female flowers are gathered in early autumn and dried at low temperatures.
Traditionally used for
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