Hops Humulus lupulus Family: Cannabaceae CTFA name: Humulus lupulus

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Photo © Steven Foster

Introduction

Humulus lupulus is a perennial vine growing vertically to 33 feet with dark green, heart-shaped leaves.^1,2,3  The male and female flowers grow on separate vines.^1,3  Hops are the dried yellowish-green, cone-like female flowers or fruits.^1,4  Originally native to Europe, Asia, and North America,⁵  several varieties of hops are now cultivated in Germany, the United States, the British Isles, the Czech Republic, South America, and Australia.^4,6  Although still wild in Europe and North America, commercial hops comeexclusively from cultivated plants.^1,7  The leaves, shoots, female flowers (hops), and oil are the parts of the plant that are used.⁸  

History and Cultural Significance

The name lupulus is Latin for small wolf.^2,9  Hops are derived from the Anglo-Saxon word hoppan meaning to climb.^5,9  The beer brewing industry accounts for 98% of the world use of hops.^1,3  Originally used as a preservative, hops were later additionally used for flavoring beer.¹⁰  The earliest record of hopped beer is in 822 CE.³  Hop cultivation spread in Europe during the Middle Ages because beer was served with every meal.³  

Pliny the Elder (ca. 23-79 CE) mentions Romans eating young hop shoots.⁹  The young spring shoots are still eaten in Belgium, France, and England in the same ways that asparagus is eaten.^2,11  The flowers are a natural source of food flavoring.^2,12  Hops have been used for flavoring food and as a perfume scent for over 2500 years.¹³  They have flavored cereal beverages, mineral waters, spices, sauces, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages other than beer.^10,13,14  Hops have been used in perfume, especially the spicy or oriental types,^10,14  to give body to dry hair, and in skin creams and lotions.^10,15  

Medicinally, hops are mainly used as a sedative.¹  With other herbal sedatives, hops can be beneficial for sleeplessness and nervousness.^6,16  Efficacy has long been established, but the exact mechanism for sedation is still unknown.⁷  Hops also contain spasm relieving, diuretic, calming, sleep promoting, hypnotic, and antimicrobial properties.^4,8,10,16,17  

Traditionally hops were used for nervousness, insomnia, excitability, ulcers, indigestion, and restlessness associated with tension headache.¹²  Additional folk medicine uses include pain relief, improved appetite, and as a tonic.⁹  A tea made of hops was ingested for inflammation of the bladder.⁷  Native American tribes used hops for insomnia and pain.^5,8  Hops are employed in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine for restlessness and in traditional Chinese medicine for insomnia, stomach upset and cramping, and lack of appetite.⁵  Clinical studies in China report promise for the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy, acute bacterial dysentery, silicosis, and asbestosis.^5,10  Externally, it has been applied to treat dandruff, ringworm, sores, ulcers, skin injuries, acne, and to alleviate pain and itching.^6,7  In aromatherapy, hops have been used for skin care, breathing conditions, nervousness, nerve pain, and stress-related conditions.¹⁴  

Hops are approved in various monographs and pharmacopoeias for excitability, lack of appetite, mood disturbances (restlessness, anxiety), sleep disturbances, sleeplessness, and tenseness.^2,16,17,18  

Modern Research

One laboratory study has demonstrated antimicrobial activity in hops and has suggested that hops constituents may be useful in mouthwash.¹⁹  No clinical studies to date have examined the effectiveness of hops for any traditional use.

Future Outlook

There is a fixed world-wide demand for hops, dependent on beer consumption, with variable supply, which results in shortages and surpluses in any given year.²⁰  World production of hops is cyclical and typically peaks every 7-10 years followed by several years of surpluses and depressed market prices. The supply of hops is assured by the fact that they are grown in numerous places for specific markets.²⁰