Plant Comparison
Chili Pepper vs Hop
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Chili Pepper and Hop: they share 5 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, bloating, indigestion, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Chili Pepper | Hop | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 6/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Chili Pepper |
| Bloating | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 1/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The pungent alkaloid-like compounds responsible for the fruit's heat and its counterirritant/analgesic action via TRPV1 receptor desensitisation.
Give ripe red fruit its colour and contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids identified in leaf and fruit extracts.
Alpha- and beta-bitter acids responsible for the characteristic bitterness and much of the sedative, GABA-A-receptor-active and antimicrobial activity.
Xanthohumol has antioxidant activity; 8-prenylnaringenin has notable phytoestrogenic activity, the basis of the mild oestrogenic caution.
Aromatic volatile oil contributing to the characteristic hop aroma.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from sedative action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Capsaicin causes intense burning sensation; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. High oral doses can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and diarrhoea. Topical preparations may cause skin irritation and should be used diluted. Not recommended for individuals with active peptic ulcers. Caution with anticoagulants — capsaicin may enhance bleeding risk. During pregnancy, culinary amounts are considered safe, but high-dose supplements should be avoided. Repeated topical application leads to desensitisation (TRPV1 depletion), which is the basis for its analgesic use. Children under 2 should not be given capsaicin-containing topical products (Basu and Bhattacharyya, 2023).
Duke (2002) rates cayenne/chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) highly for its clinically documented analgesic, counterirritant, and rubefacient activities. Commission E approves topical capsaicin preparations for muscle pain, arthritis, and neuralgia (score 2). The active compound capsaicin depletes substance P in sensory neurons upon repeated application, reducing pain signals. Capsaicin cream (0.025–0.075%) is a validated treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and osteoarthritis pain. Internal use can irritate mucous membranes; external use requires avoiding contact with eyes and mucous membranes (Duke, 2002).
Generally safe at therapeutic doses for short-term use. Hop preparations may enhance the sedative effects of alcohol, benzodiazepines, and other CNS depressants — avoid combination. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. May have mild oestrogenic effects due to 8-prenylnaringenin — caution in hormone-sensitive conditions. Fresh hops can cause contact dermatitis in pickers.
Duke (2002) rates hops as +++ and provides clinical evidence (score 2) for sedative activity, consistent with Commission E approval for nervousness, unrest, and sleep disturbances. The primary sedative compound is 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, formed from humulone during storage. Duke notes that hop cones have estrogenic activity, explaining occupational menstrual irregularities reported among hop pickers. Dose: 0.5 g dried flower in tea before bed; often combined with valerian. Hops should not be used in depression, as its CNS-depressant effect may worsen depressive symptoms (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Bushy annual or short-lived perennial herb (grown as an annual in temperate climates) with glossy, oval to lance-shaped leaves. Small, star-shaped, white to greenish flowers give way to the characteristic fleshy, hollow fruit (a berry), which ripens from green through yellow to red and varies enormously in size, shape and pungency between cultivars.[1]
Vigorous, twining perennial climbing vine with rough, hairy stems and deeply lobed, opposite leaves resembling grape leaves. The plant is dioecious; female plants bear the characteristic papery, cone-like flower clusters ('hops'), covered in yellow, resinous lupulin glands, that are the medicinal and brewing part.[1]
Habitat
Native to Central and South America; cultivated worldwide in warm and temperate climates as a food and medicinal crop, thriving in full sun on well-drained soil.[1]
Grows in hedgerows, woodland edges and damp thickets, climbing over other vegetation; native to Europe, Western Asia and North America, and widely cultivated for brewing.
Harvesting
Fruit is picked at the desired stage of ripeness (green for milder use, fully red for maximum capsaicin and carotenoid content) through summer and autumn; seeds are separated and dried from fully ripe fruit.
The female flower cones are picked in late summer once mature (when the lupulin glands are fully developed and sticky), then dried quickly to preserve the volatile oils and bitter resins.[1]
Traditional Uses
Chili pepper fruit has a long history across the Americas and, after global spread, in many other traditional medicine systems as a warming digestive stimulant and topical counterirritant/analgesic for muscle and joint pain, building on capsaicin's now well-documented ability to desensitise pain-sensing nerve fibres with repeated application.[1]
Hop cones have a long European tradition as a calming, sedative herb for nervous tension, restlessness and insomnia, and as a bitter digestive tonic; the sedative reputation, historically noted among hop-pickers who became drowsy from handling the cones, is now linked to GABA-A receptor-active bitter resins.[1]
Preparations
Standardised capsaicin cream or patch applied to the affected area for muscle, joint or nerve pain; repeated application depletes substance P and reduces pain signalling.
Dried flower cones infused in hot water as a herbal tea, 500-1000 mg in 150-200 ml, taken 30-60 minutes before bedtime per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Tincture (1:5) of the dried cones, 1-2 ml up to three times daily per the EU herbal monograph. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Concentrated extract standardised to xanthohumol/humulone content, studied for sleep-enhancing activity via GABA-A receptor modulation.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph on Capsici fructus gives semi-solid dosage forms corresponding to 40-53 mg capsaicinoids per 100 g, applied as a thin layer to the affected area 2-4 times daily, in adults and elderly. For medicated plasters, a maximum of 1 plaster per day applied for at least 4 and up to 12 hours, with at least 12 hours before a new plaster is applied to the same area. Not recommended under 18 years. Expect an initial burning sensation that lessens with repeated use. Note the monograph covers hot chilli fruit (C. annuum var. minimum and small-fruited C. frutescens), not sweet peppers. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph distinguishes two uses, in adolescents, adults and elderly. To aid sleep - 500-1000 mg of the comminuted flower in 150-200 mL of boiling water as an infusion, 30-60 minutes before bedtime. In mental stress - 500 mg in 150-200 mL as an infusion, up to 4 times daily. A 1:5 tincture at 1-2 mL up to 3 times daily is also listed. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Drug Class Interactions
Not documented
Pairings
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Cho, S.Y., Kim, H.W., Lee, M.K., Kim, H.J., Kim, J.B., Choe, J.S., Lee, Y.M. and Jang, H.H (2020) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in relation to the flavonoids composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)', Antioxidants, 9(10), pp. 986. doi:10.3390/antiox9100986 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9100986 - Khan, F.A., Mahmood, T., Ali, M., Saeed, A. and Maalik, A (2014) 'Pharmacological importance of an ethnobotanical plant: Capsicum annuum L', Natural Product Research, 28(16), pp. 1267-1274. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.895723 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.895723 - Srinivasan, K (2016) 'Biological activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and its pungent principle capsaicin: a review', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 56(9), pp. 1488-1500. doi:10.1080/10408398.2013.772090 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2013.772090 - Hernandez-Perez, T., Gomez-Garcia, M.D.R., Valverde, M.E. and Paredes-Lopez, O (2020) 'Capsicum annuum (hot pepper): an ancient Latin-American crop with outstanding bioactive compounds and nutraceutical potential. A review', Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19(6), pp. 2972-2993. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12634 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12634 - Sanati, S., Razavi, B.M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'A review of the effects of Capsicum annuum L. and its constituent, capsaicin, in metabolic syndrome', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 21(5), pp. 439-448. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.25200.6238 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2018.25200.6238 - Mandal, S.K., Rath, S.K., Logesh, R., Mishra, S.K., Devkota, H.P. and Das, N (2023) 'Capsicum annuum L. and its bioactive constituents: a critical review of a traditional culinary spice in terms of its modern pharmacological potentials with toxicological issues', Phytotherapy Research, 37(3), pp. 965-1002. doi:10.1002/ptr.7660 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7660 - Grojja, Y., Hajlaoui, H., Luca, S.V., Abidi, J., Skalicka-Wozniak, K., Zouari, S. and Bouaziz, M (2023) 'Untargeted phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of a Tunisian Capsicum annuum cultivar', Molecules, 28(17), pp. 6346. doi:10.3390/molecules28176346 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176346 - Hernandez-Ortega, M., Ortiz-Moreno, A., Hernandez-Navarro, M.D., Chamorro-Cevallos, G., Dorantes-Alvarez, L. and Necoechea-Mondragon, H (2012) 'Antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory effects of carotenoids extracted from dried pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)', Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2012, pp. 524019. doi:10.1155/2012/524019 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/524019 - Maji, A.K. and Banerji, P (2016) 'Phytochemistry and gastrointestinal benefits of the medicinal spice, Capsicum annuum L. (Chilli): a review', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 13(2), pp. 97-122. doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0037 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2015-0037 - Marrelli, M., Menichini, F. and Conforti, F (2016) 'Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of hot pepper flower (Capsicum annuum L.)', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 71(3), pp. 301-306. doi:10.1007/s11130-016-0560-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-016-0560-7 - Song, C., Yu, C., Zhu, X., Luo, X., Zhang, Y., Meng, L., Luo, Y., Chang, H., Qin, C. and Liu, Y (2020) 'A new capsaicin-containing phenolic glycoside from Capsicum annuum L', Natural Product Research, 36(2), pp. 546-552. doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1789983 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1789983 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Capsicum annuum L. var. minimum (Miller) Heiser and small fruited varieties of Capsicum frutescens L., fructus'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-capsicum-annuum-l-var-minimum-miller-heiser-and-small-fruited-varieties-capsicum-frutescens-l-fructus_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-capsicum-annuum-l-var-minimum-miller-heiser-and-small-fruited-varieties-capsicum-frutescens-l-fructus_en.pdf - Anand, P. and Bley, K (2011) 'Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8% patch', 107(4), pp. 490--502. doi:10.1093/bja/aer260 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aer260 - Basu, S. and Bhattacharyya, S (2023) 'Capsicum and capsaicin: a comprehensive review of chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic applications', 22(5), pp. 1413--1442. doi:10.1007/s11101-023-09875-8 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-023-09875-8 - Derry, S., Rice, A.S., Cole, P., Tan, T. and Moore, R.A (2017) 'Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults'. doi:10.1002/http://14651858.CD007393.pub4 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/http://14651858.CD007393.pub4 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Capsicum annuum L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:841033-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:841033-1 - Molina-Torres, J., García-Chávez, A. and Ramírez-Chávez, E (1999) 'Antimicrobial properties of alkamides present in flavouring plants traditionally used in Mesoamerica', 64(3), pp. 241--248. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00131-4 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00131-4 - Lv, J., Qi, L., Yu, C. et al (2015) 'Consumption of spicy foods and total and cause specific mortality: population based cohort study'. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3942 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3942 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Lee, H., Chung, S.H., Kwon, D.J., Nam, M.J. et al (2024) 'Sleep-enhancing effect of Hongcheon-hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract containing xanthohumol and humulone through GABA-A receptor', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 338(Pt 2), pp. 119019. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.119019 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.119019 - Kenda, M., Glavač, N.K., Nagy, M. and Sollner Dolenc, M (2021) 'Herbal Products Used in Menopause and for Gynecological Disorders', Molecules, 26(24), pp. 7421. doi:10.3390/molecules26247421 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26247421 - Dietz, B.M., Hajirahimkhan, A., Dunlap, T.L. and Bolton, J.L (2016) 'Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health', Pharmacological Reviews, 68(4), pp. 1026-1073. doi:10.1124/pr.115.010843 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.010843 - Sun, X.L., Xia, T.S., Jiang, Y.P., Wang, N.N., Xu, L.C. and Han, T (2022) 'Humulus lupulus L. extract and its active constituent xanthohumol attenuate oxidative stress and nerve injury induced by iron overload via activating AKT/GSK3beta and Nrf2/NQO1 pathways', Journal of Natural Medicines, 76(4), pp. 801-814. doi:10.1007/s11418-022-01642-1 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-022-01642-1 - Karbalaei, N., Sadeghi, N., Nekoeian, A. and Malekzadeh, A (2019) 'Impact of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Humulus Lupulus L. on Sperm Quality, Reproductive Organs and Hormones in Male Rats', Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 25(9), pp. 1-8. doi:10.1007/s11655-019-3025-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-3025-7 - Xia, T.S., Lin, L.Y., Zhang, Q.Y., Jiang, Y.P., Li, C.H. and Liu, X.Y (2019) 'Humulus lupulus L. Extract Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis in Mice and Regulates Activities of Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts', Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 27(1), pp. 31-38. doi:10.1007/s11655-019-2700-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11655-019-2700-z - Hurth, Z., Faber, M.L., Gendrisch, F., Holzer, M., Haarhaus, B. and Cawelius, A (2022) 'The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Humulus lupulus Extract In Vivo Depends on the Galenic System of the Topical Formulation', Pharmaceuticals, 15(3), pp. 350. doi:10.3390/ph15030350 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15030350 - Caban, M., Chojnacka, K., Owczarek, K., Laskowska, J., Fichna, J. and Podsedek, A (2020) 'Spent hops (Humulus Lupulus L.) extract as modulator of the inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages', Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 71(1). doi:10.26402/jpp.2020.1.05 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.26402/jpp.2020.1.05 - Wang, S., Dunlap, T.L., Howell, C.E., Mbachu, O.C., Rue, E.A. and Phansalkar, R (2016) 'Hop (Humulus lupulus L.) Extract and 6-Prenylnaringenin Induce P450 1A1 Catalyzed Estrogen 2-Hydroxylation', Chemical Research in Toxicology, 29(7), pp. 1142-1150. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00112 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00112 - Kyrou, I., Christou, A., Panagiotakos, D., Stefanaki, C., Skenderi, K. and Katsana, K (2017) 'Effects of a hops (Humulus lupulus L.) dry extract supplement on self-reported depression, anxiety and stress levels in apparently healthy young adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover pilot study', Hormones, 16(2), pp. 171-180. doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1738 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.14310/horm.2002.1738 - Hege, M., Jung, F., Sellmann, C., Jin, C., Ziegenhardt, D. and Hellerbrand, C (2017) 'An iso-alpha-acid-rich extract from hops (Humulus lupulus) attenuates acute alcohol-induced liver steatosis in mice', Nutrition, 41, pp. 70-77. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2017.07.010 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2017.07.010 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2014) 'Community herbal monograph on Humulus lupulus L., flos, Revision 1'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-humulus-lupulus-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-humulus-lupulus-l-flos-revision-1_en.pdf - Becker, A., Felgentreff, F., Schröder, H., Meier, B. and Brattstrom, A (2014) 'The anxiolytic effects of a Valerian extract is based on valerenic acid', pp. 267. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=The%20anxiolytic%20effects%20of%20a%20Valerian%20extract%20is%20based%20on%20valerenic%20acid - Koetter, U. and Blumenthal, M (2010) 'Valerian and hops for insomnia: overview of clinical data', pp. 44--50. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Valerian%20and%20hops%20for%20insomnia%3A%20overview%20of%20clinical%20data - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Koetter, U., Schrader, E., Kaeufeler, R. and Brattstroem, A (2007) 'A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, prospective clinical study to demonstrate clinical efficacy of a fixed valerian hops extract combination (Ze 91019) in patients suffering from non-organic sleep disorder', Phytotherapy Research, 21(9), pp. 847-851. doi:10.1002/ptr.2167 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2167 - Ngan, A. and Conduit, R (2011) 'A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality', Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), pp. 1153-1159. doi:10.1002/ptr.3400 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3400 - Totally Wild UK 'Hops (Humulus lupulus) Identification Guide'. Available at: https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2022/12/08/hops-humulus-lupulus-identification-guide/ Traditional / reference
https://totallywilduk.co.uk/2022/12/08/hops-humulus-lupulus-identification-guide/
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.