Hops: Benefits, Uses and Precautions

Dr. Boris Wydoff

Common hops (*Humulus lupulus*) is a perennial herbaceous plant with climbing shoots and female cone-like inflorescences. According to phytotherapy reference books, it is traditionally used as a sedative, for painful bladder irritations, and as a bitter aromatic stomach remedy. For medicinal purposes, the cones and glands containing lupulin are primarily used.

As a doctor, I always emphasize a simple rule: herbal raw materials require the same careful attention as any other remedies. It’s important to know which part of the plant is used, how it’s harvested, and what precautions are necessary.

What is this plant and how to recognize it?

Common hops belong to the Cannabaceae family. It is a dioecious plant with a perennial rhizome. The above-ground stems regrow every year. They are climbing, four- or six-angled, and can reach up to 10 meters in length.

The shoots are densely covered with hooked thorns, which help the plant cling to tree trunks, shrubs, and other supports. These thorns are located on the stems, petioles, and the underside of the leaves. If there’s no suitable support, the shoots may sprawl along the ground.

The leaves are opposite, either entire or divided into 3–5 lobes. The leaf margin is serrated. The leaves also bear golden-yellow glands.

Hops have male and female plants. Female plants produce dense, head-like inflorescences—familiar to many as cones. These consist of flowers and bracts. On the inner side of these bracts are glands containing a yellow powder called lupulin.

Male inflorescences look different. They are highly branched, leafless panicles.

Hops bloom in July, and the fruits ripen in August–September. The plant is found in moist areas: alder and ash forests, among shrubs, and near riverbanks. Hops are also cultivated near homes for greening walls, fences, and gazebos. Additionally, they are grown for their cones, which are used in brewing, baking, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries.

What do female cones look like and what’s inside?

Female cones are dense, head-like inflorescences. Botanical descriptions indicate they can consist of approximately 40–60 flowers. The bracts are arranged so that on the inner side of each, there are glands containing yellow lupulin powder.

Therefore, for harvesting, not only the cones themselves are important. The glands, obtained from dried inflorescences, are also valuable raw material. They contain lupulin.

After the above-ground part dies, the plant does not disappear. In winter, the stems die off, and in spring, new young shoots emerge from the buds of the perennial rhizome. Hops can grow in the same place for many years.

Where does hops grow in nature?

Hops prefer moist areas. They are especially characteristic of alder and ash forests, riverside thickets, and wet shrublands. In some regions, more robust wild hops thickets are found in forests, near swamps, and in ravines.

In natural thickets, hops can climb trees and shrubs. Other climbing plants may grow nearby, so when harvesting, you shouldn’t rely solely on the plant’s ability to cling to supports.

It’s more reliable to look at the combination of features: perennial rhizome, annual climbing thorny stems, opposite leaves, and, in female plants, characteristic cones with glands on the inner side of the bracts.

What are the benefits of common hops?

According to phytotherapy reference books, the inflorescences of hops and the glands derived from them have medicinal value. It is in these glands that lupulin—a yellowish powder with a characteristic aroma—is contained.

After sifting freshly dried inflorescences, the lupulin content is about 7–16 percent. It appears as a golden-yellow or orange, slightly sticky powder that clings to the fingers. Over time, its color becomes browner.

Hops inflorescences have a strong aroma, an almost intoxicating scent, and a sharp, spicy, strongly bitter, astringent taste. Lupulin also has a distinctive aroma and spicy bitterness. Herbal references describe the sedative use of hops. It is used as a component in calming teas. Hops are also traditionally taken internally for painful bladder irritations. Lupulin is described as a bitter aromatic stomach remedy. This use is associated with the plant’s characteristic bitterness.

Reference books also note that hops preparations have estrogenic activity. Therefore, the medicinal use of the plant should be approached with caution. The flavonoids in hops are described as substances with anti-inflammatory effects. However, information about the plant’s composition does not mean it should be used instead of prescribed treatment. External use is also mentioned in phytotherapy descriptions. Hops cones were used in poultices as a pain-relieving remedy. Ointments were also described for painful ulcers.

What else is in the composition of hops?

In addition to lupulin, reference books separately mention the essential oil of the inflorescences. It is included in some preparations, showing interest in the aromatic components of hops. The plant’s composition also includes flavonoids and leucoanthocyanins. Flavonoids are attributed with anti-inflammatory effects. Leucoanthocyanins are also highlighted in descriptions of the plant’s chemical composition.

However, the properties of individual substances cannot be directly transferred to the effect of a homemade infusion or other self-prepared remedy. The content of components depends on the raw material and how it is obtained.

For practical use, the condition of the raw material is also important. The freshness of the cones and glands affects their characteristic smell, appearance, and the preservation of lupulin.

What are hops cones used for?

The main raw material of hops is the cones. Reference books list them as the part of the plant used for traditional medicinal purposes. Hops are included in calming teas. They are used as a sedative and for painful bladder irritations. Another use is related to lupulin. It is used as a bitter aromatic stomach remedy. Externally, cones are described in the form of poultices. This use is associated with pain-relieving effects. Old descriptions also mention ointments with hops for painful ulcers.

At the same time, the medicinal value of the plant in modern conditions is assessed cautiously. Reference books note that medicine has more studied remedies. Separately, hops are known as a plant for the food industry. The cones are used in brewing, as well as in other industries.

How was hops used in brewing?

The history of hops is closely linked to beer brewing. One source indicates that cones began to be used for brewing beer as early as the 9th century in Kievan Rus.

Hops give the drink its characteristic bitterness and aroma. Additionally, their use is associated with preserving a rich foam and protecting the drink from premature souring. For brewing, predominantly female plants are cultivated. In industry, the glands that cover the bracts and perianths of the cones are particularly valued.

Hops are grown in different countries. Old botanical descriptions mention North America, Brazil, Australia, Austria, Germany, and France. The culture was also widespread in various regions of Russia.

How to properly brew hops?

Hops are included in calming teas. However, specific home proportions and dosages for preparing an infusion independently are not specified in phytotherapy reference books.

Therefore, it is important to distinguish between the traditional description of the plant and the prescription of a finished remedy. The presence of the plant in a tea composition does not in itself determine a suitable usage scheme for each person.

Hops have sedative properties. When using them, the possible effect on attention and drowsiness must be considered. Phytotherapy also describes the external use of cones. They were used for poultices and external remedies. Such methods should correspond to a specific recipe, not chosen arbitrarily.

How to harvest hops cones?

For medicinal purposes, the inflorescences—hops cones and the glands derived from them—are collected. Harvesting is done in clear weather a few days before full maturity.

A sign of the right time is the greenish-yellow color of the inflorescences and the fact that the bracts still cover each other quite tightly. This usually happens in late August or early September. The timing depends on the hops variety.

After harvesting, the inflorescences are laid out in a thin layer on cloths in a well-ventilated, shady room. During drying, they are turned over 2–3 times a day until the raw material reaches the required dryness.

Dried inflorescences retain a strong aroma. Lupulin remains a golden-yellow or orange powder with sticky properties and a characteristic smell. Hops cones and glands are recommended to be replaced with fresh ones annually.

How to grow hops?

Hops can be propagated by cuttings prepared from underground shoots. The plant can grow on various soils, but deep, moderately moist black soil is considered the most suitable.

Old cultivation recommendations also mention soils with some lime, clay, and sand content. The site should be sunny and open, preferably flat or with a slight slope. It is desirable for the area to be protected from northern winds.

In cultivation, hops are grown primarily for their cones. Old sources mention entire regions specializing in hops cultivation. High-quality raw materials were obtained, in particular, in the Volyn province. Hops are used not only in medicine and brewing. They are also grown for the baking, perfumery, and pharmaceutical industries.

What is important to know about storage?

After harvesting, the main attention should be paid to proper drying. The raw material should be in a well-ventilated, shady place. A distinctive feature of hops is its pronounced aroma. The glands contain lupulin, which easily sticks to the fingers. With prolonged storage, its color changes and becomes browner. For traditional use, the freshness of the raw material is important. Reference books indicate that both the inflorescences and the glands of hops should be replaced annually.

It is the hops cones that are used, which contain the glands with lupulin.

How to find common hops abroad

Abroad, hops can be found under different names. For searching, rely on the Latin *Humulus lupulus* and the name of the required part of the plant.

• USA: “hops”, “common hops”, “hops flowers/cones”. Sold as dried cones, tea bags, tinctures, liquid extracts, and capsules.
• Germany: “Hopfen”, “Echter Hopfen”. The needed part is called “Hopfenzapfen”, “Hopfenblüten” or “Hopfendolden”. Available as dried cones, tea blends, drops, and capsules.
• France: “houblon”; the needed part is “cônes de houblon”, sometimes “fleurs de houblon”. Sold loose, in tea bags, tinctures, and capsules.

You can look for the plant in health food stores, herbal and tea shops, pharmacies, parapharmacies, and online stores. In Germany, also check Reformhäuser; in France, herboristeries.

On the packaging, check for *Humulus lupulus* and the designation of female flowers, cones, or strobiles. Clarify whether it is whole cones, powder, or extract, pure hops, or a blend. For tinctures, check the part of the plant, extraction ratio, and alcohol percentage.

Rules and product status depend on the country: for example, in the USA, supplements do not undergo prior FDA approval for safety and efficacy.

Contraindications and precautions

Common hops are primarily contraindicated in cases of increased sensitivity to the plant. Skin contact with hops may cause an allergic reaction. Modern safety data is limited. There is particularly insufficient information on long-term use, high doses, and concentrated extracts.

Hops can cause a sedative effect and drowsiness. Therefore, the possible reduction in attention should be considered. Caution is especially important when combined with alcohol and sedative medications, as drowsiness may increase.

Hops components have estrogen-like activity. For hormone-dependent conditions, medicinal use should be discussed with a doctor. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the medicinal use of hops is not recommended, as safety during these periods has not been established. Medicinal use of hops is not recommended for children under 12 years old due to a lack of safety data.

There is evidence that hops components may affect enzymes involved in drug metabolism. For one standardized extract, no clinically significant effects were found in humans, but data on interactions remains limited.

If significant drowsiness occurs after use, do not drive or operate machinery.

When to see a doctor

Hops do not replace medical diagnosis. If symptoms persist or are severe, you must consult a doctor. Special attention should be paid to people with chronic diseases and those who take medications regularly. Do not discontinue prescribed treatment on your own due to the use of hops. If signs of allergy appear, discontinue use of the plant. If the reaction is severe, medical attention is required. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, medicinal use of hops requires caution and consultation with a specialist.

If you are taking sedatives, consuming alcohol, or using other regularly taken remedies, it is best to discuss the use of hops with a doctor in advance.

Boris Wydoff — naturopath and author, Ph.D. in nutrition. For over fifty years I have helped people restore health through nutrition, cleansing and the power of the mind — in Europe, America and Asia. About the author →

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