H
(2; APA; KOM; PHR; PH2; SHT; WAM); Neuralgia (1; CAN; CRC); Neurasthenia (f; MAD);
Neurosis (f; APA); Nymphomania (f; MAD); Oligolactea (1; WAM); Onanism (f; MAD); Pain
(1; BGB; CRC; MAD; PNC; WAM); Priapism (f; CAN; PH2); Prostatosis (f; MAD); Pul-
monosis (f; CRC); Restlessness (2; KOM; SHT; WAM) (with tension headache and/or dys-
pepsia) (1; CAN); Rheumatism (f; BGB; CRC; FAD; MAD); Satyriasis (f; MAD); Scirrhus
(f; JLH); Scrofula (f; MAD); Silicosis (2; BGB); Sore (f; JLH; PH2); Splenosis (f; JLH; MAD);
Spermatorrhea (f; MAD); Stomachache (f; MAD); Stone (f; MAD); Stress (1; APA); Swelling
(f; JLH); Toothache (f; CRC); Tuberculosis (1; APA; BGB; CRC); Tumor (1; APA; CRC);
Ulcer (f; CRC); Ulcus cruris (f; PH2); Uterosis (f; BGB); VD (f; MAD); Water Retention (f;
CRC; MAD; PNC); Worm (f; CRC).
Dosages (Hops) — 500 mg/day (SF); 2–6 tsp fresh flower (PED); 1–3 g dry flower (PED); 2 g
dry flower:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water (PED); 1–2 tsp inflorescence/cup water (SKY; WIC); 0.5–1
(–2 as hypnotic) g hops, or in tea (CAN; SKY); 0.5–1 g powdered herb; 0.5–15 g cones (PNC); 1
tsp (0.4 g) cone cup (PH2); 0.5–2.0 ml liquid hops extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) (CAN); 0.5–4 ml
liquid inflorescence extract (PNC); 1–2 ml hops tincture (1:5 in 60% ethanol) 1–3 ×/day (CAN;
SKY); 2–4 ml inflorescence tincture (PNC); 2–4 g inflorescence tincture (MAD); 120–300 mg
lupulin (PNC). Cones = flowers = dry infloresences.
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Hops) — Class 2d (AHP). “Hazards and/or
side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). None reported (KOM; PHR;
PIP). Some caution against use in depression (AHP). Mild allergies or dermatosis may result
from contact. Oleo-resin reported to be allergenic, possibly causes dermatosis (CAN). Respi-
ratory allergy caused by handling of hop cones (fresh hops oil, humulone, lupulone, and myrcene
produce positive skin patch tests). Pollen can cause contact dermatosis. They suggest that hops
be contraindicated in depressive states as the sedative effect of hops may aggravate or accentuate
symptoms. “The sedative effect may potentiate the effects of existing sedative therapy and
alcohol” (CAN). In vitro antispasmodic activity on the uterus has been documented. Because
of uterine activity, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. “Excessive use should
be avoided in view of the limited toxicity data” (CAN). Avoid if pregnant (WAM). Do not use
if suffering estrogen-dependent disorders (WAM).
Extracts (Hops) — The LD50 for orally administered hop extract or lupulones in mice is
~500–3500 mg/kg (roughly^1 / 2 to 20th as toxic as caffeine). Ethanol extract antispasmodic and
myorelaxant. Antibacterial activity has been documented for hops, humulone, and lupulone
against Gram positive bacteria. The bitter acids exhibit antifungal activity against Candida,
Fusarium, Mucor, and Trichophyton. The flavanones are antistaphylococcic and antifungal
(Mucor and Trichophyton). Hops sedative and hypnotic, and motility-depressant properties are
attributed to 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. Isovaleric acid may contribute to the sedativity. Hops report-
edly contain several sedative, analgesic, anesthetic, and anodyne compounds as well. Piperidine,
quercitrin, and ursolic acid may depress the CNS. Hops improve human sleep performance in
combination with valerian and the hops are apparently effective in baths (I’d suggest in combi-
nation with dilute lavender and lemonbalm). With uva ursi and alpha-tocopherol acetate, hops
gave excellent results for 772 of 915 patients with irritable bladder and urinary incontinence.
Combined with the Biblical chicory and peppermint, hops documentably relieves pain in chronic
cholecystosis (calculous and noncalculous).