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.

The 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.

In 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.

Used 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.

Hops are useful where tension and stress are the cause of stress-related headaches, and also for stress-related digestive symptoms.

Please note: Hops are not recommended for use by those experiencing significant depression as they can sometimes accentuate symptoms.

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).

This 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 ‘chills’. 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.

Plants 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).

Hops are thought to engender the humour of melancholy in traditional energetics, which is why it is not recommended to use in severe depression.

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.

Hops 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.

Traditional 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.

Nervous system

The 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.

Hops 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.

Hops 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).

Reproductive system

Hops 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).

Hops 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).

Digestive system

Hops 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).

Hops 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).

Considering how widely used hops are by herbalists, there is surprisingly little clinical research on them. However, we have listed some interesting research below.

Menopause

In 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.

The 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).

Energy and gut function

Nineteen healthy-weight men completed a randomized 3-treatment, double-blind, crossover study to see how hops extract affected their metabolism (8).

Participants 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.

Both 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 “bitter brake” reducing food intake in healthy men (8).

Sleep

Though 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).

The 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).

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.

Hops are a climbing plant that is most often found in woodlands, along hedgerows and in field edges. It is native to temperate North America, Eurasia, and South America.

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status Hops are classed as ‘Least concern’ due to its widespread distribution and stable populations, with no major threats (1).

Herbal Medicines are often extremely safe to take, however it is important to supply herbal medicines from a reputed supplier. Sometimes herbs bought from unreputable sources are contaminated, adulterated or substituted with incorrect plant matter.

Some important markers for quality to look for would be to look for certified organic labelling, ensuring that the correct scientific / botanical name is used and that suppliers can provide information about the source of ingredients used in the product.

A supplier should be able to tell you where the herbs have come from. There is more space for contamination and adulteration where supply chain is unknown.

Hops need around 6- 8 hours of direct sunlight a day, so choosing the position is very important. As a shooting plant hops have similar properties to vines (known as hop bines), which means they will require a good vertical space to allow them to grow to their optimum potential which can be up to 25ft.

Hops ideally should be planted in spring, late enough to avoid any exposure to frost.

The rhizome/ root will need to be planted about four inches deep in well aerated, nutrient-rich soil, with sufficient drainage. Plant the rhizome horizontally, with any visible buds pointing upwards.

If planting multiple shooters, placing should be around 2ft apart to allow the roots space to grow. Once placed cover with lightly packed soil or with a high nitrogen mulch.

The ground should be kept moist, watering every couple of days will be sufficient unless the temperatures are particularly hot such as during a heat wave.

Hops need a support to help them grow vertically, lattice/trellis, bamboo, poles or string are all viable methods to support young vines. The most commonly used is a rough twine like a string which allows the bines to take hold.

When the vines have reached between 6 and 12 inches trim the rhizome four or six bines each and begin to train them around your chosen support structure, gently weaving the vines around the support in a clockwise formation. If done anti-clockwise, the hops will fall off.

1. Khela, S. (2012). IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Humulus lupulus. [online] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/202971/2758327 [Accessed 10 Nov. 2022].
2. Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine. Hardback (1st Edition). Independently published
3. Menzies-Trull, C. (2013). Herbal medicine keys to physiomedicalism including pharmacopoeia. Newcastle: Faculty Of Physiomedical Herbal Medicine (Fphm).
4. Aghamiri, V., Mirghafourvand, M., Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, S. and Nazemiyeh, H. (2016). The effect of Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) on early menopausal symptoms and hot flashes: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, [online] 23, pp.130–135. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.05.001.
5. Brooke, E. (2018). Woman’s Book Of Herbs. Aeon Books.
6. M. 2004. The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic Organs and Systems. North Atlantic Books,U.S.
7. Pharmaceutical Press (no date) Stockley’s Herbal Medicines Interactions [With Herbal Medicines Interactions 1].
8. Walker EG, Lo KR, Pahl MC, et al. An extract of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) modulates gut peptide hormone secretion and reduces energy intake in healthy-weight men: a randomized, crossover clinical trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2022;115(3):925-940. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqab418
9. Franco L, Sánchez C, Bravo R, et al. The Sedative Effect of Non-Alcoholic Beer in Healthy Female Nurses. Chapouthier G, ed. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(7):e37290. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0037290