Hops

Christopher Hobbs:

“Hops is famous for promoting sleep and relaxation and imparting a refreshing bitter taste to beer and ale. Herbalists recommend hops for allaying nervousness, restlessness, excitability, heart palpitations, nervous digestion, and insomnia. Midwives have used preparations of hops for increasing the flow of new mother’s milk.

Recent research has shown that hops extracts have strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving actions for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Hops also has estrogenic action, which explains why men who drink excessive amounts of very hoppy beer or ale can develop noticeable breasts.

Hops pillows have long been used as an aid to sleep. The dried plant loses its sedative properties within a few months if not stored in a cool place out of the light, and even then, the shelf-life of most products is at most 6 months.

Hops has a taste of ACRID, BITTER and a temperature of COOL.”

Historical Uses

Historically, hops were used in folk medicine across Europe for their sedative and calming properties. They were employed as a natural remedy for anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and even as a treatment for tuberculosis and leprosy. Additionally, hops were used topically for skin conditions and to treat wounds due to their antibacterial effects.

Modern Clinical Uses by Herbalists and Naturopaths

Today, herbalists and naturopaths commonly recommend hops for managing anxiety, mild insomnia, and stress due to their sedative effects. Hops extracts, often combined with valerian root or passionflower, are used to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. They are also used in managing menopausal symptoms and to support digestive health, as hops stimulate digestive enzyme secretion.

Chemistry

Hops contain several active compounds:

• Alpha-acids (e.g., humulone, cohumulone): contribute to bitterness in beer and have antimicrobial effects.
• Beta-acids (e.g., lupulone): possess antibacterial properties.
• Flavonoids and prenylflavonoids (e.g., xanthohumol): exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential anti-cancer activities.
• Essential oils (e.g., myrcene, humulene): contribute to aroma and have mild sedative effects.

Pharmacology

The primary pharmacological actions of hops are attributed to compounds like 8-prenylnaringenin, a potent phytoestrogen, and xanthohumol, an antioxidant. These compounds interact with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors in the brain, producing a calming effect. Phytoestrogenic compounds also offer potential benefits in hormonal regulation, particularly for menopausal women.

Summary of Clinical Trials

Studies have shown that hops, particularly in combination with valerian, can improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety symptoms. Clinical trials exploring hops’ effects on menopause symptoms have shown positive outcomes, particularly with hot flash reduction. Preliminary research on xanthohumol also suggests possible anti-cancer effects, though more research is needed.

Conclusion

Hops are valued in modern herbalism for their sedative, anxiolytic, and hormonal effects, supported by active phytochemicals like xanthohumol and 8-prenylnaringenin. Although clinical trials are promising for sleep and menopause support, further research is needed to fully confirm these benefits.

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