{"id":8272,"date":"2022-11-25T11:23:31","date_gmt":"2022-11-25T11:23:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=8272"},"modified":"2025-08-20T10:09:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T09:09:32","slug":"hops","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/hops\/","title":{"rendered":"Hops"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8277,"parent":0,"menu_order":-250,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"c0e738d5-9484-4019-bdcf-ab781aeeb830","beyondwords_preview_token":"fa1d1ea8-fd56-4ebe-b834-cd424a496dbc","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[1122,50],"conditions":[685,699,696,698],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,17,18,786,30,27],"western_action":[990,993,996,997,1000,1001,1004,1008,1018,1019,1022],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1382,1487,1490,1494],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-8272","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-hops","tag-insomnia","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-reproductive-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-aromatic","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","sense-sharp","sense-sweet","western_action-analgesic","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-antispasmodic","western_action-astringent","western_action-bitter","western_action-cholagogue-and-choleretic","western_action-diuretic","western_action-relaxant","western_action-sedative","western_action-trophorestorative","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-sweet","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20221125","herb_author":1212,"banner_text":"Hops is one of the great sedative and antispasmodic remedies","latin_name":"Humulus lupulus<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Cannabaceae","herb_summary":"Hops has long been use to treat conditions characterised by nervous tension and sleeplessness. Hops is one of the great relaxant sedatives which has been used for centuries in the acute treatment of insomnia.","key_benefits":"Sedative\r\nRelaxant\r\nGall bladder disease\r\nTension and Stress\r\nDigestive conditions","how_does_it_feel":"Hops delivers a uniquely aromatic quality that can be both sweet and earthy, with a grounding bitter aftertaste. It is this balance between bitterness and gentle aromatic sweetness that makes hops such a popular botanical in brewing.","hdif_image_1":8277,"hdif_image_2":8279,"hdif_image_3":8276,"hdif_video":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JQZ1MwQl-Gs","sense":[17,31,18,786,30,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"\"\"The primary application of hops as used in herbal medicine is as a sedative and relaxant, making it a choice remedy for use in sleep disturbances such as insomnia. Hops are also used to moderate tension and anxiety symptoms. Most often hops are only recommended to be used for these applications intermittently or in the short term because the true approach to treatment in holistic herbalism is to look for the underlying causes rather than to solely treat the outward symptoms.\r\n\r\nThe actions of hops as a sedative and relaxant are via a marked effect on the nervous system. Hops may be called upon in the treatment of sleeplessness and acute insomnia.\r\n\r\nIn an integrated approach, hops may also be used as a nervine relaxant, bringing one back down from a state of nervous irritability, stress tension and anxiety. For issues with sleeping, hops are best applied for those whose sleeplessness is rooted in stress; there may be racing thoughts and worries that leave one unable to relax into healthy sleep patterns.\r\n\r\nUsed in combination with other anti-anxiety herbs such as passionflower or valerian, hops both soothes and settles the nervous system. Due to its sedative actions, it is a medicine which is best used in the evening and before bedtime to assist in a deep and rejuvenating night's sleep.\r\n\r\nHops are useful where tension and stress are the cause of stress-related headaches, and also for stress-related digestive symptoms.\r\n

Please note: Hops are not recommended for use by those experiencing significant depression as they can sometimes accentuate symptoms.<\/em><\/p>","into_the_heart_of":"\"\"According to the energetics of Western herbal medicine (WHM), hops may be best applied in constrictive tissue states, where tension and constriction may present with both emotional and physical manifestations. Where tissues may be in a state of spasm, hops are relaxant and antispasmodic actions will always be of great value (6).\r\n\r\nThis tissue state may also be indicated by the presence of tension and chills. Sometimes those who have never fully recovered from a viral infection, or who have experienced an acutely traumatic situation (that leaves their nervous system in a state of tension), can experience persistent \u2018chills\u2019. There will often be gastrointestinal symptoms associated with autonomic nervous system imbalance such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, indigestion, diarrhoea, colic, irritable bowel symptoms and intestinal spasm (2,3). Hops will be useful where these type of symptoms are the result of such nervous tension.\r\n\r\nPlants with an acrid flavour are often used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine to treat wind and chill conditions (equivalent to contraction in WHM approach). Almost all of the great antispasmodics used in traditional western herbal medicine are acrid, such as valerian, lobelia and catnip. Hops are also in this category of acrid relaxant antispasmodics. Therefore, they lend their therapeutic effects in conditions that present with constricted and tense tissue states as described above (6).\r\n\r\nHops are thought to engender the humour of melancholy in traditional energetics, which is why it is not recommended to use in severe depression.","tradtional_uses":"\"\"Hops was originally introduced into Europe in the 9th century. The first European mention of hops being added to beer dates from 1097. The plant became more universally accepted for this use a surprising six centuries later. The gentle aromatic, sweet and mildly bitter qualities of hops all add a unique benefit in brewing and probably resulted in more widespread recognition and distribution. This may have increased the attention on hops for its other uses, such as in medicine.\r\n\r\nHops are native to North America, therefore some of the earliest known uses for hops came from Native American healers. In traditional North American medicine, the Cherokee used hops as a sedative. It was also traditionally used for its analgesic and anti-rheumatic qualities, and for the treatment of breast and female reproductive problems. Hops were also thought to be useful in conditions of the kidney. The Delaware used hops in treatment of pain conditions associated with the nervous system such as earache and toothache. The Navajo used it for viral respiratory coughs and colds, and the Dakota in gastrointestinal disturbances as well as to aid sleep and relaxation.\r\n\r\nTraditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) recommends hops for restlessness, indigestion and headache associated with nervous tension. In Chinese medicine, hops are also used to treat restlessness and sleeplessness, as well as poor appetite and dyspepsia. Hops were also thought to be useful in conditions of the kidney.","what_practioners_say":"

\"\"<\/strong>Nervous system<\/h3>\r\nThe majority of Hops applications are related to its effects upon the nervous system. Hops are sedative and relaxant and have a long history of use for sleep problems and anxiety. Whilst more gentle than modern sedative medications, hops are powerfully sedative and are used extensively for the acute treatment of insomnia, particularly where it is related to anxiety.\r\n\r\nHops are also used to support during acute phases of anxiety, where mental strain and worry are effecting quality of life. Hops can be an excellent first aid medicine that help to bring serenity and peace to ones state of mind, for acute anxiety and also during panic attacks.\r\n\r\nHops is also referenced in other conditions in the nervous system such as for earaches and headaches that are associated with nervous tension. Hops are also known to be an excellent antispasmodic and may be used in spasmodic conditions which are s sometimes the cause of pain. Furthermore Hops also has anodyne and analgesic actions, meaning that they may be used for pain relief especially painlinked to the central nervous system(3).\r\n

Reproductive system<\/h3>\r\nHops is an anaphrodisiac, meaning that it reduces sexual desire, therefore it is indicated in abnormal or excessive sexual excitability in both females and males. Specific to male health hops may be of used for nervous irritability that brings about problems of excess such as in spermatorrhoea, bladder irritability and premature ejaculation (3).\r\n\r\nHops may also be used in combination with other specific herbs in conditions of the female reproductive system such as amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, mastitis and to support menopausal symptoms (3).\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nHops can be an excellent conjunctive remedy to use where digestive symptoms arise as a result of nervous and stress-related tension, such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, indigestion, diarrhoea, colic, irritable bowel symptoms and intestinal spasm (2,3).\r\n\r\nHops clear obstructions in both the liver and the spleen by stimulating the secretion of bile. It is well-referenced for use in conditions of the gall bladder, such as cholecystitis. Hops is a cholagogue, which means that it promotes the flow of bile from the gall bladder into the upper parts of the small intestine (2,3).","research":"\"\"Considering how widely used hops are by herbalists, there is surprisingly little clinical research on them. However, we have listed some interesting research below.\r\n

Menopause<\/h3>\r\nIn a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of Hops on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes, 120 women were randomly allotted into two groups. Each group either received the Hops extract or placebo tablets. The study period was over 12 weeks where menopausal symptoms were assessed using Greene scale and hot flashes were recorded in a diary before, and at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after intervention.\r\n\r\nThe result showed a significant reduction on the Greene scale scoring as well as a significant reduction of hot flushes in the group receiving hops extract. The suited concludes that hops can effectively reduce early menopausal symptoms, as well as hot flushes (4).\r\n

Energy and gut function<\/h3>\r\nNineteen healthy-weight men completed a randomized 3-treatment, double-blind, crossover study to see how hops extract affected their metabolism (8).\r\n\r\nParticipants were either given placebo capsules, delayed-released capsules (released in the duodenum) or quick-release capsules (gastric). Blood samples were then taken and then subjective ratings of appetite, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, vitality, meal palatability, and mood were assessed throughout the day. The participants were also fed without restriction to see if their appetite was truly affected.\r\n\r\nBoth of the capsules modulated the release of hormones involved in appetite and glycaemic regulation, and participants ate significantly less food after consuming the capsules. This is thought to be because the plant content was bitter, and these bitter taste receptors (which actually also exist in the gut) can play an important role in regulating gut function and appetite. The hops extract provided a \u201cbitter brake\u201d reducing food intake in healthy men (8).\r\n

Sleep<\/h3>\r\nThough not strictly a traditional herbal medicine extract, an interesting study was conducted on non-alcoholic beer which was made out of hops. A total of 17 nurses working night shifts were given 333ml of non-alcoholic beer and symptoms of anxiety and sleep quality were measured. Results showed that anxiety levels reduced as did sleep latency (the time it took to fall asleep) (9).\r\n\r\nThe result showed a significant reduction on the Greene scale scoring as well as a significant reduction of hot flushes in the group receiving hops extract. The article concludes that hops can effectively reduce early menopausal symptoms, as well as hot flushes (4).","did_you_know":"Hops belongs to the same plant family as cannabis-Cannabaceae. One could think of them as cousins sharing a few similar genetics and traits that give them similar organoleptic properties (those identified through the senses i.e. taste and smell). They share terpenes and other phytochemicals.","additional_information_right":{"illustration":8283},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Hops are formed by a root which is stout and perennial. The stem that arises from it every year is a vine, reaching a great length, flexible and very tough, angled and prickly.\r\nThe leaves are dark-green in colour with finely toothed edges, both heart-shaped and lobed, on foot-stalks.\r\n\r\nLeaves are placed opposite one another on the stem, though sometimes the upper leaves are arranged singly on the stem, springing from alternate sides.\r\n\r\nThe flowers grow from the axils of the leaves. The Hop is dioecious, i.e. male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are in loose bunches or panicles, 3 to 5 inches long. The female flowers are in leafy cone-like catkins, called strobiles.\r\n\r\nWhen fully developed, the strobiles can be around 1 1\/4 inch long, oblong in shape and rounded, consisting of a number of overlapping, yellowish-green bracts, attached to a separate axis.","common_names":"