Plant Part Used
Strobiles
Introduction
Hops has been used since Roman times as a crucial ingredient in brewing and as a mild sedative. Today, hops is still used to brew beer and as an agent to calm one’s anxiety.
Interactions and Depletions
Interactions
- Anti-anxiety medications / Anti-depressants
- OTC products causing drowsiness
- Alcoholic beverages
- Barbiturates
- Drugs metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 pathway
- Oral contraceptives
- Estrogen and estrogen-like medications
Dosage Info
Dosage Range
100-150mg (standardized extract), 1-3 times a day as needed.
Most Common Dosage
100mg (standardized extract), 1-3 times a day as needed.
Standardization
[span class=doc]Standardization represents the complete body of information and controls that serve to enhance the batch to batch consistency of a botanical product, including but not limited to the presence of a marker compound at a defined level or within a defined range.[/span]
The most current available medical and scientific literature indicates that this dietary supplement should be standardized to 5.2% bitter acids and/or 4% flavonoids per dose.
Reported Uses
After more than 2000 years, the sedative effect of hops is still not fully understood. Studies have looked at hops’ ability to increase the sedative effects of both prescription sedatives as well as herbs with sedative properties like valerian and passionflower. (1) According to other studies, one of the active components of hops may also function as a potent central nervous system depressant. (2) , (3)
Hops may also help the body fight certain types of bacterial invaders. (4)
Studies have reported that hops may have chemopreventive activity against certain cancers. (5) , (6)
Research also indicates that hops may prevent muscle spasms, especially in smooth muscle tissue. (7) Hops may support secretion of gastric juices from organs in the gastrointestinal system as well. (8)
Toxicities & Precautions
Introduction
[span class=alert]Be sure to tell your pharmacist, doctor, or other health care providers about any dietary supplements you are taking. There may be a potential for interactions or side effects.[/span]
General
This dietary supplement is considered safe when used in accordance with proper dosing guidelines.
This dietary supplement may cause drowsiness. Use caution when driving and performing tasks that require alertness.
This dietary supplement may increase the effects of alcohol. (9)
Health Conditions
If you have hormone related cancers, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer or prostate cancer, (10) talk to your doctor before taking this dietary supplement.
Pregnancy/ Breast Feeding
This dietary supplement should not be used in pregnant women.
This dietary supplement should not be used if you are breast-feeding an infant without first consulting a physician.
Age Limitations
To date, the medical literature has not reported any adverse effects specifically related to the use of this dietary supplement in children. Since young children may have undiagnosed allergies or medical conditions, this dietary supplement should not be used in children under 10 years of age unless recommended by a physician.
References
- Bradley PR, ed. British Herbal Compendium. vol.1 Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association; 1992:128-129.
- Wohlfart R, et al. Detection of Sedative-Hypnotic Active Ingredients in Hops. 5. Degradation of Bitter Acids to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, a Hop Constituent With Sedative-Hypnotic Activity. Arch Pharm (Weinheim). 1983;316(2):132-37.
- View Abstract: Hansel R, et al. Sedative-Hypnotic Compounds in the Exhalation of Hops, II. Z Naturforsch. [C]. Dec1980;35(11-12):1096-97.
- Teuber M, et al. Membrane Leakage in Bacillus subtilis 168 Induced by the Hop Constituents Lupulone, Humulone, Isohumulone and Humulinic Acid. Arch Mikrobiol. Dec1973;94(2):159-71.
- View Abstract: Miranda CL, Stevens JF, Helmrich A, et al. Antiproliferative and Cytotoxic Effects of Prenylated Flavonoids from Hops (Humulus lupulus) in Human Cancer Cell Lines. Food Chem Toxicol. Apr1999;37(4):271-85.
- View Abstract: Gerhauser C, Alt A, Heiss E, et al. Cancer chemopreventive activity of Xanthohumol, a natural product derived from hop. Mol Cancer Ther. Sep2002;1(11):959-69.
- Caujolle F, et al. Spasmolytic Action of Hop. Agressologie. 1969;10(5):405-10.
- View Abstract: Krivenko VV, et al. Experience in Treating Digestive Organ Diseases with Medicinal Plants. Vrach Delo. Mar1989;(3):76-78.
- Newall CA, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press; 1996:162-163.
- View Abstract: Milligan SR, Kalita JC, Pocock V, et al. The Endocrine Activities of 8-prenylnaringenin and Related Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Flavonoids. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Dec2000;85(12):4912-5.
