Home | Alphabetical Index | Conditions & Cures | Anti-Aging | Articles | Forums | Where to Buy

Hops; Humulus lupulus

Proposed Uses: Anxiety; Breast Enhancement; Digestive Problems; Insomnia; Menopausal Symptoms

Hops, the source of beer's bitter flavor, has a long history as a herbal medicine as well. In Greece and Rome, hops was used as a remedy for poor digestion and intestinal disturbances. The Chinese used the herb for these purposes as well as to treat leprosy and tuberculosis.

As cultivation of hops for beer spread through Europe, it gradually became obvious that workers in hop fields tended to fall asleep on the job, more so than could be explained by the tedium of the work. This observation led to enthusiasm for using hops as a sedative. However, subsequent investigation suggests that much of the sedative effect seen in hop fields is due to an oil that evaporates quickly in storage.

Despite the absence of this oil, dried hop preparations do appear to be somewhat calming. While the exact reason is not clear, it seems that a sedating substance known as methylbutenol develops in the dried herb over a period of time. It may also be manufactured in the body from other constituents of dried hops.

Dosage
The standard dosage of hops is 0.5 g taken 1 to 3 times daily.

Safety Issues
Hops is believed to be nontoxic. However, as with all herbs, some people are allergic to it. Interestingly, some species of dogs, greyhounds in particular, appear to be sensitive to hops with reports of deaths occurring.  The mechanism of this toxicity is not yet known. Those taken with the popular hobby of brewing beer at home are advised to keep pets away from the relatively large quantity of hops used in this process.

Hops has estrogen-like effects. Like estrogen itself, hops might stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells.  On this basis, women who have had breast cancer, or who are at high risk for it, should probably avoid hops until more is known (Beer does not appear to contain enough of the active phytoestrogen in hops, 8-prenyl naringenin, to matter).

Children should also probably avoid hops, to avoid producing unwanted estrogen-like effects. Safety in pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

One animal study suggests that hops might increase the effect of sedative drugs,  so do not take hops with other medications for insomnia or anxiety except under a physician's supervision.

Feature Article

The Fountain of Youth?

What if I told you that it may be possible for you to live to age 100 or even longer, in better health than you are in right now? And, if you are already experiencing the ill effects of aging, what if I told you that it may be possible for you to look and feel 20 years younger and stay that way beyond the age of 100.

Aside from the fact that you'd probably call me crazy, I have to tell you that we have never been as close as we are today to actually being able to extend human life!

Read More