Hops
Humulus lupulus
Efficacy
- Indications with possible efficacy:
None - Indications with possible, but poorly documented efficacy:
Agitation
Anxiety
Sleep disorders - Other indications with no proof of efficacy:
Antioxidant
Diuretic
Improve appetite
Improve digestion
Menopause - to soothe symptoms
Menstrual problems
Oral health - topical use
Safety
- Risk of Drug Interactions: Moderate
- Adverse Effects: Low
Description
Parts of the plant used: female flowers (strobiles or cones)
Hops is a perennial climbing plant native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia and North America. Male and female flowers usually develop on separate plants. It is mainly used in beer making.
Directions for use
- Agitation, anxiety and sleep disorders
Doses used:
Dried strobiles - 0.5 to 1 gram, 3 times a day, as needed
Infusion - 0.5 to 1 gram, 3 times a day, as needed, in 250 mL of boiling water
Liquid extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) - 0.5 to 1 mL, 3 times a day, as needed
Tincture (1:5 in 60% ethanol) - 1 to 2 mL, up to 3 times a day, as needed - Menopause
Hops contains a compound that has an estrogenic effect and may help reduce hot flashes.
Doses used: hops extract containing 100 mcg of prenylnaringenin.
Precautions
- Adverse effects
There are few adverse effects associated with usual doses of hops. Drowsiness and dizziness however, have been reported. - Contraindications
Women with breast cancer or any other cancer of the female reproductive organs should avoid hops. Use with caution if suffering from depression. - Interactions
Use with caution if you are taking medications that may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Before using hops, speak to your pharmacist to see whether it is compatible with the drugs you are presently taking. - Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Hops is not advised since there is no reliable information about its safety during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Notes
- Hops is occasionally combined with valerian to help treat insomnia.
Warning
In 2004, Canada adopted new regulations that control the manufacturing, packaging, labeling and importing of natural health products. The new regulations also include an adverse reaction reporting system. Products that conform to the regulation's criteria are identified with a natural product number (NPN) and can be legally sold in Canada. This number indicates that the product meets specific criteria for safety and purity, not that it is effective for any indication.
Medicinal plant contents vary naturally from plant to plant - just as fruits from the same package may vary in taste and texture. There is no standard to measure the active content of each plant. Thus, efficacy of natural products should be expected to vary from brand to brand as well as from bottle to bottle of the same brand.
For more information about the Natural Health Products Regulations, or to check if a product has been assessed, visit the Health Canada website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/index-eng.php.
References
- Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Therapeutic Research Faculty, 2010
- Passeportsanté.net. Houblon. www.passeportsante.net
- Blumethal M et al. The Complete German Commission E monographs, 1998
- Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide, 2000-2001
- The Review of Natural Products, 6th Edition, 2010
- Health Canada, Natural Products Database
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