Hop Benefits, Usage, Medicinal Properties, Nutrition, Dosage, Preparations, safety, science backed and traditional view

Hops (Humulus lupulus L.) also known as Pi Jiu Hua, Chmiel.

 

Hops are vigorous, climbing herbaceous perennials, trained to grow up strings when grown commercially. The “hop” is the green cone around the female flower. Botanically, hops are a distant relative of stinging nettles and cannabis. The vines can grow up to 30 feet long. The species is triggered by the longer summer days to flower, usually around July or August in the Northern Hemisphere. The plant is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. The fragrant flowers are wind pollinated. The staminate (male) flowers do not have petals, while the pistillate (female) flowers have petals enveloping the fruit. The female flower cones (or strobili) are known as hops. The fruit is an achene, meaning that it is dry and does not split open at maturity. The achene is surrounded by tepals, and lupulin-secreting glands are concentrated on the fruit.

 

Part Used: Strobile (female flower)

 

Constituents: Resinous bitter principles (up to 20%) including hard resin and phloroglucinol derivatives, Volatile oil (mainly mono- and ses- quiterpenes , Flavonoids, Phenolic acids (chlorogenic, ferulic), Polyphenols (tannins 2-4%), Phytoestrogens, alkaloids, GLA, Vit C

 

Flavour/Temps: Astringent, Dry, Cold, Bitter, Pungent

Relaxing, Calming, Sinking, Restoring, Dissolving

 

Tropism: Urinary and Reproductive Organs, Skin, Central Nervous System, Liver, Heart, Stomach

 

Meridians: Kidney, Pericardium, Liver, Heart

 

Key actions in western medicine: Digestive, Relaxant, Detoxicant, Sedative, Tonic, Nervine, Antiseptic, Astringent, Diuretic, Strong sedative, Hypnotic, Analgesic, Aromatic bitter, Antibacterial (topically), Antipyretic, Antispasmodic, Anaphrodisiac, Cholagogue.

 

Indications in western medicine: Insomnia; Restlessness; Irritability; ADHD; Lower blood pressure; Relieve hot flashes; Neurocardiac syndrome; Pain (earache, headache, toothache, neuralgia, myalgia); Colitis (neurogenic) IBS, colic; Rheumatism, gout;  Oestrogen deficiency (incl. PMS, dysmenorrhea), Insufficient lactation; Eczema, dermatitis, acne, skin turmors (incl. malignant), scurvy, lymphadenitis (scrofula), herpes; Anaemia, Anorexia, chlorosis; Spasmodic Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea; Urinary stones; Agitation, Anxiety; Genital discharges (incl. vaginitis, nocturnal emission); Sexual overstimulation (incl. nymphomania, satyriasis); Atonic ulcers; Lung TB, Leprosy, Urinal and venereal infections; Urinary stones.

 

Key actions in eastern medicine: Clears Damp-heat from skin, Reduces swelling, Infection and inflammation; Clears internal wind and stop spasm; Regulates Intestines Qi, relieve pain and harmonise digestion; Promotes detoxification and urination , dissolve stones; Regulates Uterus Qi, increase estrogen and regulates menstruation; Stimulates Digestion and promote appetite; Relaxes Constraint, relief anxiety and calms the mind; Clears Empty Heat and reduces, sexual overstimulation and discharges, reduces fever.

 

Indications in eastern medicine: Lung Qi constraint – nervous irritable cough, anxiety, wheezing; Skin damp-heat- skin eruptions with oozing, redness; Uterus Qi constraint – stress, cramps esp. with onset, painful periods, scanty flow; kidney Qi stagnation with metabolic toxicosis – painful urination, skin rashes, headaches, dry skin; Heart Qi constraint (liver Yang rising)- dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, ringing ears, anxiety; Intestines Qi constraint- abdominal pain, indigestion worsening with emotions or stress, irregular bowel movements; Liver-Gallbladder Qi stagnation- fatigue, belching, appetite loss, epigastric pain and bloating; Kidney/Adrenal Qi constraint- pains, nervous/mental tension (esp. from pain, anxiety and stress), agitation; Kidney Fire (Kidney and Heart Yin deficiency)- insomnia, sexual overstimulation, hot spells, premature ejaculation, palpitations, wet dreams; Floating Yang – irritability, palpitations, sleep loss, relentless, dizziness; Yin deficiency with empty heat- intermittent fever, night sweats.

 

Ground:  Sanguine and Choleric krases

All biotypes and constitutions

 

Preparations: Infusion, Tincture, Infused oil

 

Dosage 3 times a day including once before sleep, unless otherwise instructed by Herbalist:

Infusion 0.5g-9g

Tincture 1:3, 60% Alcohol 1ml - 7.5 ml

Tincture 1:5, 60% Alcohol, 1.5ml - 10 ml

 

Note: high range doses should be used only temporarily, occasionally

Note: Infusion for best effect should be stepped up to 30 minutes.

Note: Compresses, Poultices, Ointments and Washes, alone or in combination are great remedy for skin conditions (incl. Swellings, Turmors, Eruptions)

Note: do not exceed therapeutic doses

Note: For longer treatment combine Hop with another herb, avoid using on its own.

 

Cautions: Hop is medium strength remedy with moderate chronic toxicity.

Hops are very safe to use in therapeutic doses for the young and old, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, however combining with other herbs was found more beneficial then use on its own, especially during pregnancy. You will often see references in the literature to avoid Hops in cases of depression, but it must be understood that the common form of depression, whereby there is increased anxiety, may respond extremely well to Hops and the reason for this concern is that people who are already too tired do not need to take something to make them relax further!

Hops may not be so good for people who have what is called anergic depression - a low energy state that is not associated with increased anxiety. However, if someone has depression and anxiety, it may well be a helpful medicine for them to use for a time.

 

Contraindications: none know

 

Interactions with drugs: combination with other sedative drugs maybe advantageous

 

Side Effects: None known

 

History and Folklore

Inside the hops are golden grains that form a sticky greenish-yellow powder. Hops have been used for centuries to produce beer, even as far back as over 10,000 years in Asia, where it spread to Eastern Europe. Hops were introduced to England by the Dutch farmers. It is believed that hops originated in Egypt.

The Sumerian goddess Ninkasi was the goddess of brewing and beer. The Romans said that hops grew “wild among the willows, like wolves among sheep,” hence the name Lupulus (derived from the Latin word for wolf).

The ancient Hebrews used hops to help ward off the plague and in North America, the Native American Indians used hops to sleep, soothe toothaches, and improve digestion. These purposes did not catch on in Europe until more recently, as hops were mostly used to brew beer and not particularly used as medicines.

Hops were first mentioned in European writings in 1079 by Abbess Hildegarde of St Ruprechtsberg, who recommended hops as the grain for brewing beer. Because most beer was produced by monks during the Middle Ages, there are many records of hops and hop gardens in monastic writings.

 

M Grieve writes 'Hops have tonic, nervine, diuretic and anodyne properties, they improve the appetite and promote sleep. The official preparations are an infusion and a tincture. The infusion is employed as a vehicle, especially for bitters and tonics: the tincture is stomachic and is used to improve the appetite and digestion. Both preparations have been sedative, were formerly much given in nervousness and at bedtime to induce sleep; in cases of nervousness, delirium and inflammation being considered to produce a most soothing effect, frequently procuring for the patient sleep after long periods of sleeplessness in overwrought conditions of the brain.

The bitter principle in the Hop proves one of the most efficacious vegetable bitters obtainable. It has proved of great service also in heart disease, fits, neuralgia and nervous disorders, besides being a useful tonic in indigestion, jaundice, and stomach and liver affections generally. It gives prompt ease to an irritable bladder and is said to be an excellent drink in cases of delirium tremens. A pillow of warm Hops will often relieve toothache and earache and allay nervous irritation'

 

H Felter writes for external use 'that a “hop-pillow” is a favourite device for procuring sleep. The odour of the hop has a decidedly sedative influence upon some individuals, relieving headache and producing sleep; in others it produces intense headache, with nausea and vomiting. Probably the psychic effect has much to do with its value in insomnia. A hot "hop bag" applied to the face is a favourite domestic cure for neuralgic face ache, and a “hop poultice” has anodyne (pain-relieving) properties' and for internal use that 'this is a remedy to relieve nervous excitability in fevers and to induce sleep. It also checks fermentation of the stomach contents and thus proves useful in fermentative dyspepsia with acid reflux'

 

King's Dispensatory writes 'Hops are principally used for their sedative or hypnotic action—producing sleep, removing restlessness, and abating pain. Hops are extremely efficient in dyspepsia where restlessness and a brooding disposition are prominent features. Fermentative dyspepsia, with consequent eructation’s, often yields to hops... Externally, in the form of a fomentation alone, or combined with boneset or other bitter herbs, hops have proved beneficial in pneumonia, pleurisy, gastritis, enteritis, also as an application to painful swellings or tumors. Tincture of hops may be used with marked restlessness, and disposition to worry over trouble. Use it also when fermentation and eructation’s occur after meals'

 

TJ Lyle writes 'the flower and pollen of Hops is a relaxing nervine of much power. In insomnia the hop pillow is no myth. It quiets the nerves and soothes the whole system without any shade of narcotism. As a poultice it is superior to most other agents for the relief of inflammatory and irritable conditions, whether they be internal or external. It makes a good addition to cough syrups for irritable coughs and restlessness. It is a superior agent in rheumatism and neuralgia. A hot poultice may be applied to the parts affected, and with other agents taken internally with the best of success. In dysmenorrhoea it will be found of great advantage whether used by itself or in combination with other agents. In combination with hepatic tonics it will give good results in nervous depression. It is gently laxative to the bowels and holds a relaxing influence over the liver and gall ducts'

 

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP) describes Hops actions as sedative & hypnotic (sleep inducing) and says it is indicated for neuralgia, insomnia, priapism, mucous colitis and specifically indicated for restlessness associated with nervous tension headaches and/or indigestion. The BHP suggests a dose of 0.5-1ml of the extract in 45-60% ethanol.

Hops also have traditional indications for menopausal symptoms and are thought to be highly oestrogenic which may also explain another of their historical recommendations, namely being effective for excessive sexual excitability!

The story goes that the monks, who were basically the main herbalists of the Middle Ages, were fully cognisant of the fact that significant ingestion of Hops decreases sexual desire in men. It is said that the Papal decree that all beer was to be made with Hops (prior to that it was made with many other kinds of bitter herbs such as dandelion, burdock etc.) was in large part to reduce the potential for 'straying' within the flock of the church!

 

Menopause often causes vaginal atrophy and related symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, burning, itching, dyspareunia, decreased libido, and a general decrease in quality of life. There is evidence from human trials supporting the use of hop extract on menopausal discomfort

Ross et al. found that a single dose administration of valerian/hops fluid extract was effective in improving sleep

Hop extract supplementation decreased oxidative stress and markers of cardiovascular risk and inflammation in a group of elderly nuns. The nuns had a homogeneous and ordered lifestyle and a common diet. For 45 days, the subjects ingested 500mL of nonalcoholic beer daily. After six months, they ingested 400mg of a commercial hop extract daily for 30 days. After the supplementation of nonalcoholic beer, there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol levels in those with a total cholesterol level of 240mg/dL or more (p<0.05). There was also a significant decrease in oxidized LDL antibodies (p<0.05). After the hop supplementation, there was a significant decrease in triglyceride levels (p<0.005), in total cholesterol levels (p<0.005), and in oxidized LDL antibodies (p<0.05). After both the nonalcoholic beer supplementation and the hop supplementation, there was a significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, as well as levels of carbonyl groups in proteins (both p<0.005). Both reduced glutathione (GSH), and alpha-tocopherol increased significantly (p<0.005) at the end of the nonalcoholic beer and hop supplementation periods. In the hop supplementation group, there was a significant decrease in the complement C3 fraction (p<0.005), in the levels of C-reactive protein (p<0.05), and in the values of IL-6 (p<0.05)

A study in Germany involved 518 patients given a herbal combination of Hops, Valerian and Lemon Balm and found them to be highly effective for nervous insomnia and restlessness with very few side effects

A combination of Hops and Valerian was shown to reduce the noise-induced disturbance of sleep stage patterns (slow-wave sleep and rapid-eye-movement sleep in sleep disturbed volunteers compared with baseline values. The dose contained 1 gram of Valerian and 2 grams of Hops

Electro-encephalograph (EEG) studies showed clearly visible effects on the central nervous system from taking a combination of Hops and Valerian on healthy volunteers compared to placebo readings in a single-blind crossover study

The Cherokees traditionally used hops to treat rheumatic disorders. Humulon, one of the bitter constituents in the hop, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting activity of 12-O-tetradecanopyphorbo-13-acetate (TPA)-induced inflammation and arachidonic acid-induced inflammation. Early clinical research suggests that a combination formula containing hops may help reduce symptoms of rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia

A randomised, double-blind, parallel trial demonstrated equivalent effectiveness for a Hops-Valerian preparation to a benzodiazepine tranquiliser in patients experiencing sleep onset and sleep interruption disorders but, unlike the drug, the herb combination did not have a negative effect on daytime vigilance

 

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