Plant Profile

Hop

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026
Humulus lupulus
Family: Cannabaceae  ·  Parts used: Flower  ·  Also known as: Hops, common hop, hop vine

Common names in 24 European languages →

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 4 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, with 22 cited sources.

Botanical Description

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]

Height: Climbing vine to 6-8 m
Habit: Vigorous, twining, dioecious perennial climbing vine
Leaves: Deeply lobed, opposite, rough-textured, resembling grape leaves
Flowers: Papery, cone-like female flower clusters covered in yellow resinous lupulin glands
Stem: Rough, hairy, twining, climbing without tendrils
Root: Perennial rootstock (rhizome) sending up new climbing stems each year
Fruit: Small achene within the papery cone
Flowering Period: Late summer

Habitat & Distribution

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

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]

Parts: Flower
Season: Late summer, at cone maturity

Key Constituents

Bitter acids (humulone, lupulone)[1]

Alpha- and beta-bitter acids responsible for the characteristic bitterness and much of the sedative, GABA-A-receptor-active and antimicrobial activity.

Prenylflavonoids (xanthohumol, 8-prenylnaringenin)[4]

Xanthohumol has antioxidant activity; 8-prenylnaringenin has notable phytoestrogenic activity, the basis of the mild oestrogenic caution.

Flavonoids
Essential oil[1]

Aromatic volatile oil contributing to the characteristic hop aroma.

Essential (volatile) oil

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory[7, 8, 14, 15, 16]
Antioxidant[4, 7, 14, 15, 16]
Digestive aid[14, 15, 16]
Sedative / sleep support[10, 14, 15, 16]

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Bloating

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Indigestion[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 1
Label: Indigestion

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Insomnia / sleeplessness[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from sedative action

Evidence: 1
Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness

more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →

Skin irritation[14, 15, 16]Preliminary · 1/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

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

Infusion[13]

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[13]

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.

Standardised extract[1]

Concentrated extract standardised to xanthohumol/humulone content, studied for sleep-enhancing activity via GABA-A receptor modulation.

Dosage

Infusion[13]

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.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note[14, 15, 16]Caution

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.

Safety note[14, 15, 16, 17]Caution

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).

Herb-Drug Interactions

Sedatives Cns Depressants[18, 19, 20]Caution
Mechanism: Hops has calming, sedative effects (a controlled trial found a valerian-hops combination shortened the time to fall asleep); taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Herb-Herb Pairings

Passionflower[18, 21]

Hops and passionflower are both GABA-acting sedative herbs commonly combined in sleep blends; together they may enhance relaxation and additive drowsiness.

Type: synergy
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Lemon balm[18, 19]

Hops and lemon balm are both mild sedative, sleep-supporting herbs often combined in calming blends; used together they may reinforce each other's relaxing effect.

Type: synergy
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03

Dangerous Lookalikes

Bryonia Dioica[22]Dangerous
Confused Part: Young climbing spring shoots gathered and cooked like asparagus; toxic bryony vines send up similar shoots in the same hedgerows.
Confusion Context: Hop (Humulus lupulus) shoots are foraged in spring and cooked like asparagus. As Totally Wild UK warns, they can be confused with other climbing plants such as white bryony (Bryonia dioica) and black bryony (Dioscorea communis), which are poisonous and often scramble through the same hedgerows, sometimes twined around the hops themselves. White bryony contains cucurbitacins that cause severe vomiting, diarrhoea and colic, and a few of its berries can seriously poison a child. Because the young shoots are gathered before the tell-tale hop cones form, careful leaf checking is essential.
Distinguishing Features: Leaves (decisive): hop leaves have a nettle-like toothed margin and are lobed, and hops have NO tendrils. The bryony lookalikes do not have that toothed, lobed hop-leaf and white bryony climbs by curling tendrils., Leaf arrangement: hop leaves are opposite (in pairs); white bryony leaves are alternate., Later signs: only hops produce the papery green cones; white bryony bears red berries and black bryony shiny red berries - never gather shoots from a vine that carries or grew red berries.
Key Test: Check every shoot for true hop leaves - toothed, lobed, in opposite pairs, with no tendrils. Any shoot with untoothed leaves, curling tendrils, alternate leaves, or that grew red berries is not hops and may be toxic bryony - discard it.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

[12]

Part: flower
Signals: Pick the female cones (strobiles) in late summer to early autumn, when ripe - still greenish, aromatic and springy.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: The female flowering heads are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3272); the female flowering heads (strobiles) are picked in late summer to early autumn while greenish and aromatic. Single lineage -> provisional. SAFETY: the climbing habit can be confused with the dangerous white bryony (Bryonia dioica) - confirm identity; see Dangerous Lookalikes.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Plants of the World Online ›Wikidata ›

References & Sources

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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
  12. Plants For A Future 'Humulus lupulus (Hop, Common Hop)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Humulus+lupulus Traditional / reference
    https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Humulus+lupulus
  13. 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
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
    https://powo.science.kew.org
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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
  22. 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/

This fact sheet is generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and reflects its latest synced data. It is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. How this site is built.

Selected studies & references

ReviewTherapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review source↗ (2024)
ReviewSafety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care source↗ (2004)
RctEffects 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 source↗ (2017)
RctA double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality source↗ (2011)
RctA 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 source↗ (2007)
PreclinicalSleep-enhancing effect of Hongcheon-hop (Humulus lupulus L.) extract containing xanthohumol and humulone through GABA-A receptor source↗ (2024)
PreclinicalHumulus 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 source↗ (2022)
PreclinicalThe Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Humulus lupulus Extract In Vivo Depends on the Galenic System of the Topical Formulation source↗ (2022)

All 20 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.

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