Hops Humulus Lupulus L
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HERB PROFILE Hops Humulus lupulus L. Family: Cannabaceae INTRODUCTION as noted from observations of young women who reportedly often ops is a perennial vine growing vertically to 33 feet experienced early menstrual periods after harvesting the strobiles with dark green, heart-shaped leaves.l,2,3 The male and in hops fields. lB H female flowers grow on separate vines.l.3 Hops are the Traditionally hops were used for nervousness, insomnia, excit dried yellowish-green, cone-like female flowers or fruits (tech ability, ulcers, indigestion, and restlessness associated with tension nically referred to as strobiles).l.4 Originally native to Europe, headache.l3 Additional folk medicine uses include pain relief, Asia, and North America,5 several varieties of hops are now culti improved appetite, and as a tonic.9 A tea made of hops was vated in Germany, the United States, the British Isles, the Czech ingested for inflammation of the bladder.? Native American Republic, South America, and Australia.4,6 Although still wild tribes used hops for insomnia and pain.5,8 Hops are employed in in Europe and North America, commercial hops come exclu Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine for restlessness and in traditional sively from cultivated plants.1,7 The leaves, shoots, female flowers C hinese medicine for insomnia, stomach upset and cramping, (hops), and oil are the parts of the plant used commercially. 8 and lack of appetite.5 Clinical studies in China report promise for the treatment of tuberculosis, leprosy, acute bacterial dysen HISTORY AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE tery, silicosis (respiratory condition caused by the inhalation The name hops is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word hoppan of silica dust), and asbestosis (respiratory condition caused by meaning to cl imb.5,9 The species name the prolonged inhalation of asbestos parti lupulus is Latin for small wolf, referring cles) .5.l0 Externally, it has been applied to to the plant's habit of "wolfing" or climb treat dandruff, ringworm, sores, ulcers, ing on other plants, as a wolf would climb skin injuries, acne, and to alleviate pain and on a sheep.2,9 The beer brewing indus itching.6,7 In aromatherapy, hops have been try accounts for 98% of the world use of used for skin care, breathing conditions, hops.1·3 Originally used as a preservative, nervousness, nerve pain, and stress-related hops were later additionally used to add a conditions.l4 bitter flavor to beer.10 The earliest record Hops are approved in various monographs of hopped beer is in 822 CE.3 The cultiva and pharmacopeias as a treatment fo r excit tion of hops spread in Europe during the ability, lack of appetite, mood disturbances Middle Ages because beer was served with (restlessness, anxiety), sleep d isturbances, every meaJ.3 sleeplessness, and tenseness.2,16,17,1 9 Hops have been used as a food and for flavoring food and as a perfume scent for MoDERN REsEARcH over 2500 years.11 Pliny the Elder (circa One laboratory study has demonsrrated 23-79 CE) mentions Romans eating young antimicrobial activity in hops and has hop shoots.9 The young spring shoots suggested that hops constituents may be are still eaten in Belgium, France, and useful in mourhwash.20 Several clinical England in the same ways that asparagus is trials have supported the efficacy of a eaten.2.12 The flowers are a natural source combination of hops with valerian root of food flavoring.2,l3 They have flavored (Valeriana officina/is L., Valerianaceae) for cereal, beverages, mineral waters, spices, sauces, tobacco, and improving sleep.2l,22,23,24,25 No published clinical studies to date alcoholic beverages other than beer.l0,11 ,14 Hops have been used have examined the effectiveness of hops alone for any traditional in perfume, especially the spicy or oriental types, lO,l4 to give body use. to dry hair, and in skin creams and lotions.l0,15 FUTURE O UTLOOK Medicinally, hops are mainly used as a sedative.! With other There is a fixed worldwide demand for hops, dependent on beer herbal sedatives, hops can be beneficial for sleeplessness and consumption, with variable supply, which results in shortages and nervousness.6,l6 Efficacy has long been established, but the exact surpluses in any given year. 26 World production of hops is cycli mechanism for sedation is still unknown.? Hops also contain cal and typically peaks every 7-10 years followed by several years antispasmodic, diuretic, calming, sleep promoting, hypnotic, and of surpluses and depressed market prices. A relatively consistent antimicrobial properties.4,8,10,16,17 supply of hops is assured by the fact that they are grown in numer The sedative constituents are believed to be in the aromatic oils, ous places for specific markets.26 HG hence the rationale behind the traditional use of "sleep" pillows -Gayle Engels and Joyce Juan made of hops.14 The aromatic oils may also have estrogenic effects Continues on page 4 Phoro by Steven Foster. ©2006 stevenfosrer.com www.herbalgram.org 2006 HerbaiGram 71 I 1 I\Jv1ERIGAN BOTfoNICAL COUNCIL Media Sponsors ~ NewHoPe remedies· NaTuraL Mema A Divisilln ofPmton MdUt. 1114. tasteforlife HOPS advisory board Continued from page I Each issue of Herba/Gram is peer reviewed by members of our Advisory Board and other qualified experts before publication. REFERENCES I. Bruneton J, ed. Pharmacognosy, Cindy K. Angerhofer, PhD Edward M. Croom, Jr., PhD Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. 2nd ed. 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