Hops

Medicinal Benefits of Hops

Hops tea, made from the dried flowers of the Humulus lupulus plant, is best known for its calming and sedative properties but offers a range of additional medicinal benefits supported by both traditional use and scientific research.

Key Benefits:

• Promotes Relaxation and Sleep
  Hops tea is widely used as a natural remedy for insomnia and sleep disturbances. Its sedative effects help reduce restlessness, tension, and excitability, making it easier to fall asleep and improving sleep quality. Hops is often combined with other calming herbs like valerian for enhanced sleep benefits.

• Reduces Anxiety and Nervousness
  The calming properties of hops can help alleviate anxiety, irritability, and nervous agitation. It acts as a nervine tonic, soothing the nervous system and supporting emotional balance during periods of stress.

• Eases Menopausal Symptoms
  Hops contain phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen, which may help relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.

• Digestive Support
  As a bitter herb, hops tea stimulates gastric juices and supports digestion. It may help with indigestion, sluggish digestion, and gastrointestinal discomfort, and is sometimes used as an aperitif to prepare the digestive system for meals.

• Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
  Hops are rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which help combat oxidative stress and support a healthy inflammation response. These properties may also benefit skin health and help protect against premature cellular ageing.

• Mild Pain Relief
  Hops have analgesic qualities that may help with chronic pain, menstrual discomfort, and nervous pain.

• Immune System Support
  The antibacterial and antiviral properties of hops may help the body fight infections and support immune health, particularly during cold and flu season.

Safety and Precautions:

• Hops tea is generally considered safe in moderate amounts, but excessive use can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or stomach discomfort.

• It should be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with hormone-sensitive conditions (such as certain cancers or endometriosis), and those with depression, as hops may worsen these conditions.

• Hops can interact with sedative medications and increase their effects, so caution is advised if you are taking CNS depressants or preparing for surgery.

Hops tea is most valued for its calming, sleep-promoting, and digestive benefits, but also offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mild pain-relieving effects. Use with caution if you have hormone-sensitive conditions or are taking sedative medications.

Citations:

1. https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/hops.htm
2. https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-health-benefits-of-hops-89058
3. https://www.wishgardenherbs.com/blogs/wishgarden/the-benefits-of-hops
4. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/feature-story/exploring-benefits-hops
5. https://www.hopstore.fr/en/les-bienfaits-du-houblon/
6. https://www.medicinenet.com/herbal_hops_extract/article.htm
7. https://homesteadingfamily.com/hop-tea-recipe/
8. https://www.hukins-hops.co.uk/our-story/news-press/what-are-the-side-effects-of-humulus-lupulus/
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IixZRHi9-9g
10. https://novoma.com/en/blogs/articles/les-bienfaits-du-houblon