Plant Description
Medical Properties
DosageCaution & Interaction
Efficacy Studies
& Other Clinical Data
Helpful Links 
Latin (botanical) name:
Humulus Lupulus
Common names: Hops, Humulus, Lupulus
Plant Description: The Hop is a native perennial British plant and can be found growing wild in hedges and copses. It was introduced to Scotland, and is occasionally found in Ireland. Hops are also grown in France, South Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The root is stout and the stem, flexible and tough, twists in a clockwise direction and grows up to 6 feet in length. It is prickly with a strong fiber. The heart-shaped, lobed leaves are dark green, with finely serrated edges. They grow opposite on foot-stalks, though sometimes the upper leaves are arranged singly on the stem. The flowers grow out from the leaves' axils. The Hop is dioecious; in other words, male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are in loose bunches and grow to be 3-5 inches long. The female flowers, leafy and cone-shaped, are called strobiles. When mature, they grow to be about 1-1/2 inches long. They are yellowish-green in color and oblong and rounded in shape. Within the female flowers is a small fruit that is sprinkled with yellow, translucent glands. It looks a bit like yellow grains, and as it contains 10% Lupulin, a bitter principle, this is the substance used for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: The chief constituent of Lupulin, the glandular powder found on the seeds and surface of the scales, is about 3% volatile oil, which consists of the sesquiterpene Humulene, together with various oxygenated bodies to which the oil owes its peculiar scent. Lupulin looks like a granular, brownish-yellow powder, with the strong odor and bitter aromatic taste characteristic of Hops, which is owed to the volatile oil. Other constituents are the two Lupamaric acids, cholene and resin. Lupulin is official both in the British Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopoeia. Hops have tonic, nervine, diuretic and anodyne properties. They are a central nervous system relaxant. Because the oil produces sedative and soporific effects, it is used extensively to treat insomnia. The volatile oils are active here, although the valerianic acid bitter component also contributes to this action. Hop pillows are very popular as they induce relaxation by acting on the olfactory centre and thus on the central nervous system through the limbic system. Hops help relieve tension and anxiety, and may be used where the results are restlessness, indigestion, or headache. Its relaxing and astringent actions can be applied to mucous colitis. It is also effective in treating conditions of the bowel such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease. The herb’s antiseptic action is used in the treatment of infections of the upper digestive tract, ulcers, skin eruptions, and wounds.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily or as needed. Shake well before using.
Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data: Helpful Links:
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
Common names: Hops, Humulus, Lupulus
Plant Description: The Hop is a native perennial British plant and can be found growing wild in hedges and copses. It was introduced to Scotland, and is occasionally found in Ireland. Hops are also grown in France, South Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The root is stout and the stem, flexible and tough, twists in a clockwise direction and grows up to 6 feet in length. It is prickly with a strong fiber. The heart-shaped, lobed leaves are dark green, with finely serrated edges. They grow opposite on foot-stalks, though sometimes the upper leaves are arranged singly on the stem. The flowers grow out from the leaves' axils. The Hop is dioecious; in other words, male and female flowers are on separate plants. The male flowers are in loose bunches and grow to be 3-5 inches long. The female flowers, leafy and cone-shaped, are called strobiles. When mature, they grow to be about 1-1/2 inches long. They are yellowish-green in color and oblong and rounded in shape. Within the female flowers is a small fruit that is sprinkled with yellow, translucent glands. It looks a bit like yellow grains, and as it contains 10% Lupulin, a bitter principle, this is the substance used for medicinal purposes.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: The chief constituent of Lupulin, the glandular powder found on the seeds and surface of the scales, is about 3% volatile oil, which consists of the sesquiterpene Humulene, together with various oxygenated bodies to which the oil owes its peculiar scent. Lupulin looks like a granular, brownish-yellow powder, with the strong odor and bitter aromatic taste characteristic of Hops, which is owed to the volatile oil. Other constituents are the two Lupamaric acids, cholene and resin. Lupulin is official both in the British Pharmacopoeia and the United States Pharmacopoeia. Hops have tonic, nervine, diuretic and anodyne properties. They are a central nervous system relaxant. Because the oil produces sedative and soporific effects, it is used extensively to treat insomnia. The volatile oils are active here, although the valerianic acid bitter component also contributes to this action. Hop pillows are very popular as they induce relaxation by acting on the olfactory centre and thus on the central nervous system through the limbic system. Hops help relieve tension and anxiety, and may be used where the results are restlessness, indigestion, or headache. Its relaxing and astringent actions can be applied to mucous colitis. It is also effective in treating conditions of the bowel such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, or Crohn's disease. The herb’s antiseptic action is used in the treatment of infections of the upper digestive tract, ulcers, skin eruptions, and wounds.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily or as needed. Shake well before using.
Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data: Helpful Links:
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
