- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Temperate Europe, western Asia and North America. Humulus lupulus
Europe · Herb · № 77
Humulus lupulus
Herb · Europe
Hops
Humulus lupulus
The cones are traditionally used for restlessness and sleep problems, often with valerian. There are hints of a mild sedative effect, but evidence is limited.
Safety notes
May increase drowsiness with alcohol or sleeping pills. Contains plant oestrogens; use caution with hormone-sensitive conditions and depression.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not with depression.
- Western herbalism: Not with depression.
Preparation
The dried cones as tea, tincture or in a hop pillow. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
European monasteries began adding hops to beer in the Middle Ages, which made it keep longer. Ody notes that hop pickers were known for becoming drowsy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Calming, reduces libido, restorative nerve tonic, bitter digestive stimulant, diuretic; for tension, insomnia, irritable bowel, premature ejaculation.
Preparation and amount
Tincture up to 2 ml 3 times a day for nervous tension and anxiety; 30 drops on a sugar cube for a nervous stomach; with marshmallow, chamomile and peppermint for irritable bowel; tea of fresh hops (2 tsp per cup, 5 min) for insomnia; wash for ulcers and skin rashes.
Caution: Not with depression.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Strengthens the nerves, calming, tonic, pain-relieving, astringent; for anxiety, insomnia and worrying, asthma and spasmodic cough, stomach complaints from stress, pain from boils and toothache, male urological complaints.
Preparation and amount
Tea: 1–2 hop cones per cup, 3–30 min covered, 1–3 cups a day; hop pillow for insomnia; tincture 2 dropperfuls 30 min before sleep + 2 at bedtime (stomach: 10 drops 1–3 times a day); poultice on boils.
Caution: Not with depression.
Folklore and herbal magic
Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.
Healing, sleep.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Tincture