Hops, real

A perennial, right-twining climbing plant from the hemp family (Cannabaceae) that is widespread in Europe, Asia and North America and is known for its use in beer brewing. In Germany, the cultivated varieties of real hops are mainly grown in the Hallertau region of Bavaria, and also in the Elbe-Saale region.
The above-ground shoots of hops are annual, reach heights of 2-6 m and die after the seeds have ripened. The young hop shoots are very suitable for eating. There are plants with male and female flowers. Very typical are the female flowers, which look like cones ("hop cones", Lupuli flos) and stand together in densely flowered pseudo-spikes, the so-called hop cones. Flowering time is July/August.
Hops are mainly used for brewing beer. They give beer its distinctive aroma and typical bitterness. Only the cones of the female hop plants are used for brewing.

Humulus lupulus was voted medicinal plant of the year 2007.

The dried female inflorescences (hop cones - lupuli flos) and the hop glands, glandula lupuli, are used phytotherapeutically.

For approval in combination with valerian, see valerian root + hop cones.

Cosmetology: Humulus lupulus cone extract (INCI), Humulus lupulus oil (INCI)

The ingredients of the hop flowers together have a calming, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and digestive effect. Furthermore, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on keratinocytes in vitro. Inhibition of the growth of Propopnibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus auereus.

Glandula Lupuli contains about 50% resinous substances from which humulone (alpha-hopbitric acid) and lupulone (beta-hopbitric acid) can be isolated. Glandula lupuli also contain essential oils, the sesquiterpene humulone, caryophyllene, myrcene, farnesene, tannins (2-4%), choline and asparagine. During storage, glandula lupuli decomposes rapidly, producing valeric acid. Hops contain small amounts of estrogenic substances, e.g. hopein (8-prenylnaringenin), which belongs to the flavonoids .

In naturopathy, hop extracts are used as sedatives (see hop cones below); also for menopausal and postmenopausal complaints. Preparations of hop cones are used as a mild soporific and sedative. Hop extracts are commercially available as ready-to-use medicines, often mixed with other herbal sedatives such as valerian. Furthermore, hops are often used for indigestion.

Nutritionally, hops are used as a bittering agent to intensify the flavour of liqueurs and essences.

In aromatherapy hop blossoms are used as "aroma cushions" or hop extracts as a bath additive.

Cosmetics: Humulus lupulus oil and Humulus lupulus cone extract are used in cosmetics.

Due to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect also used in local therapy, in gel form, of acne.

The fixed combination"valerian root + hop cones + lemon balm leaves" from:

• Valeriana radix(valerian root)
• Lupuli flos (hop cones) and
• Melissae folium(lemon balm leaf extract)

has a sedative effect and is prescribed for restlessness, tension and sleep disorders. The combination can also be used in children under 12 years of age.

The fixed combination"valerian root + hop cones + passion flower herb" from:

• Valeriana radix (valerian root) "
• Humulus lupulus (hop cones) and
• Passiflorae herba (passion flower herb)

has a sedative effect. The combination can also be used in children under 12 years of age.

Kytta Sedativum® coated tablets, Sedacur forte® sedative coated tablets, Dr. Klinger's Bergischer Kräutertee (nerve and sedative tea), Leukona® sedative bath, Leukona® sedative bath sine chloral hydrate

Combination with valerian to help you fall asleep, see: Valerian root + hop cones

Hops were originally added to beer because of the bactericidal effectiveness of their bitter substances, which contributed significantly to its shelf life.

Fresh hop cones can cause contact allergic reactions on contact with the skin(hop picker dermatitis). Furthermore, urticarial local and systemic reactions (Pradalier A et al. 2002) and bronchial asthma (Reeb-Whitaker CK et al. 2014) can also be triggered.

1. Abdi Fet al.(2016) Hops for Menopausal Vasomotor Symptoms: Mechanisms of Action. J Menopausal Med 22:62-64.
2. Abdi F et al.(2016) Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis: hop (Humulus lupulus L.) for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. BMJ Open 6:e010734.
3. Dumas ER et al. (200) Deodorant effects of a supercritical hops extract: antibacterial activity against Corynebacterium xerosis and Staphylococcus epidermidis and efficacy testing of a hops/zinc ricinoleate stick in humans through the sensory evaluation of axillary deodorancy. J Cosmet Dermatol 8:197-204.
4. Gangemi S et al.(2015) Contact dermatitis as an adverse reaction to some topically used European herbal medicinal products - part 2: Echinacea purpurea-Lavandula angustifolia. Contact Dermatitis 72:193-205.
5. Pradalier A et al. (2002) Systemic urticaria induced by hops. Allerg Immunol (Paris) 34 : 330-332.
6. Reeb-Whitaker CK et al. (2014) Respiratory disease associated with occupational inhalation to hop (Humulus lupulus) during harvest and processing. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 113:534-538.
7. Yaegaki K et al. (2008) Hop polyphenols suppress production of water-insoluble glucan by Streptococcus mutans and dental plaque growth in vivo. J Clin Dent 19:74-78.
8. Friedberger H. (2021) Bitter in the mouth, healthy all round. Naturopathy 1: 26-28
9. Chen W et al. (2013) Beer and beer compounds: physiological effects on skin health. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology online
10. Weber N et al (2019) Hop Extract Acts as an Antioxidant with Antimicrobial Effects against Propionibacterium Acnes and Staphylococcus AureusMolecules 9:223
11. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/hopfen.php
12. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 126-127
13. https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/baldrianwurzel-und-hopfenzapfen/