-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Humulus lupulus (Hops)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Humulus lupulus

synonyms: hops, hopfen, hopfenzapfen, hopfendrusen, lupulin, houblon

part(s) used: glands, strobiles

qualities: bitter, pungent, cool, dry

affinities: nervous system, urinary tract

actions: anaphrodisiac, hypnotic, sedative, stomachic

dosage:

» powder: 0.5 - 1 g

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

» lupulin: 120 - 300 mg (glands separated from strobile)

therapy:

» internal: nervous excitement; hysteria; insomnia; priapism; chordee; nocturnal emissions; cerebral hyperemia; genitourinary irritation; delirium tremens (Ellingwood, pp. 124-125)

» external: over painful, acute local inflammations, facial neuralgia, ulcerating tooth, earache (Ellingwood, pp. 124-125); nervous gastropathies; sexual neuroses (Weiss, p. 285)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d

toxicity: 1

» handling fresh plant may cause contact dermatitis (Muenscher, p. 9); purpuric eruptions have been noted (Duke, pp. 233-234)

» excess use may cause sedative-soporific effects (Duke, pp. 233-234)

» some sources recommend against use in depression (McGuffin)

constituents: volatile oil, flavonols, resin, estrogenic substances of undetermined structure, tannins, lipids

drug interactions:

» sedative activity increases the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital (Lee et al)

footnotes

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Lee KM, Jung JS, Song DK, Krauter M, Kim YH. 1993. Effects of Humulus lupulus Extract on the Central Nervous System in Mice. Planta Med., 59(Suppl.):A691.

Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.

Weiss, R.F. 1988. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum; Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers, Ltd.