13 Best Benefits Of Humulus Lupulus
Humulus lupulus, also known as the hop plant, is a climbing plant native to Europe, Western Asia, and North America, widely used in brewing beer and herbal medicine.
The bioactive compounds responsible for its benefits are flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, particularly humulone and lupulone.
The hop plant has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation in the body, and its flavonoids have been shown to have anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects, providing relief from anxiety and stress.
By incorporating the hop plant into one's diet or using its extracts in herbal remedies, individuals can potentially experience these beneficial effects and promote overall well-being.
Featured Study
According to Journal of natural products, Humulus lupulus has been found to have potent inhibitory activity on the production of nitric oxide (NO) induced by a combination of LPS and IFN-gamma.
This page lists the most important health benefits of Humulus lupulus.
Table of Contents
1. Reduces inflammation
Humulus lupulus reduces inflammation, a beneficial effect that refers to the plant's ability to decrease the body's inflammatory response, which can lead to swelling, pain, and tissue damage.
This benefit is crucial as excessive inflammation is associated with various chronic conditions, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and even some types of cancer, and can have severe consequences on overall health.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Humulus lupulus are attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, and phenolic acids, which interact with cellular pathways to mitigate inflammatory responses.
To harness this benefit, Humulus lupulus can be consumed as herbal teas, capsules, or tinctures, typically in moderation and under the guidance of a healthcare professional, to ensure optimal safety and efficacy.
Top Preparations:
- Extract oil
- Lupulone tincture
- Lupulin infused oil
- Salve
- Lupulin infused cream
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces inflammation.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Arthritis, gout, bursitis |
| Lupulone | Inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Xanthohumol | Alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, atherosclerosis |
2. Reduces anxiety
Humulus lupulus reduces anxiety by promoting relaxation and calming the mind, which is the state of being free from worry or apprehension.
This benefit is important because anxiety can significantly impact daily life, causing problems such as difficulty sleeping, decreased productivity, and strained relationships; in severe cases, it can also lead to anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.
The plant's ability to reduce anxiety can be attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, which interact with the body's neurotransmitters to produce a calming effect.
To harness the anxiety-reducing properties of Humulus lupulus, it's best to use it in herbal preparations such as hops tea, hops supplements, or beer made from hops, which can be consumed in moderation to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Infusion
- Extract
- Oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces anxiety.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Panic attacks, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety-induced insomnia |
| Lupulone | Anxiety due to stress, anxiety-related irritability, anxiety-induced restlessness |
| Xanthohumol | Anxiety due to hormonal imbalance, anxiety-induced palpitations, anxiety-related tremors |
3. Reduces stress
Humulus lupulus reduces stress through its anxiolytic and adaptogenic properties, which enable the body to cope with stress and promote a sense of calm.
This benefit is crucial in today's fast-paced world, as chronic stress can lead to anxiety disorders, insomnia, and decreased productivity, affecting individuals' overall well-being and quality of life.
The plant's stress-reducing properties can be attributed to its bioactive constituents, including humulone, lupulone, and flavonoids, which interact with neurotransmitters to regulate mood and emotional responses.
To harness the stress-reducing benefits of Humulus lupulus, it is best used in herbal preparations such as hops tea, tinctures, or supplements, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Essential oil
- Infusion
- Extract
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces stress.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lupulone | Anxiety, depression, insomnia |
| Humulone | Stress, mood swings, restlessness |
| Xanthohumol | Fatigue, hyperventilation, tension headache |
4. Lowers blood pressure
Humulus lupulus lowers blood pressure, which is defined as the reduction of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels to a healthy range, thereby decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney damage.
This benefit is crucial because high blood pressure is a major risk factor for these conditions, and reducing it can help prevent premature mortality, improve quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs.
The humulus lupulus plant achieves this benefit due to its rich content of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help relax blood vessels and improve blood flow.
To harness the blood pressure-lowering properties of humulus lupulus, it is best used in herbal preparations such as teas, tinctures, or capsules, typically in combination with other herbs like hawthorn or passionflower, and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Lupulin tincture
- Hops tea
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Lowers blood pressure.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, vascular disease |
| Lupulone | Hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, kidney disease |
| Xanthohumol | Hypertension, arteriosclerosis, stroke |
| Lupulin | Hypertension, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis |
5. Improves mood
Humulus lupulus improves mood by boosting one's emotional well-being, characterized as a state of calmness and happiness that enhances an individual's quality of life.
This benefit is crucial as it can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, improve sleep quality, and increase productivity, making it essential for maintaining overall mental health.
The plant's mood-enhancing properties can be attributed to its bioactive constituents, including humulone and lupulone, which have been shown to exhibit anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory effects.
To reap the benefits of Humulus lupulus, it is best used in herbal preparations such as hops tea, hops supplements, or as an ingredient in calming infusions, allowing individuals to harness its mood-boosting properties in a natural and safe manner.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Lupulin oil
- Tincture
- Lupulone oil
- Essential oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Improves mood.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Anxiety, depression, insomnia |
| Lupulone | Anxiety, depression, restlessness |
| Xanthohumol | Anxiety, depression, mood swings |
6. Relaxes muscles
Humulus lupulus relaxes muscles through its muscle-relaxing properties, which refer to its ability to reduce muscle tension and alleviate muscle spasms.
This benefit is crucial because it can help alleviate conditions such as muscle cramps, spasms, and even anxiety, which can lead to physical discomfort, insomnia, and decreased quality of life.
The muscle-relaxing properties of Humulus lupulus can be attributed to its bioactive constituents, including xanthohumol and humulone, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that contribute to muscle relaxation.
To harness this benefit, Humulus lupulus can be used in herbal preparations such as teas, tinctures, or capsules, or even as a topical application in the form of ointments or creams, allowing for targeted relief and relaxation.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Oil
- Salve
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Relaxes muscles.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Muscle spasms, tension headaches, lower back pain |
| Lupulone | Muscle cramps, anxiety attacks, restless leg syndrome |
| Xanthohumol | Fibromyalgia, insomnia, stress-related disorders |
7. Improves sleep
Humulus lupulus improves sleep by promoting a restful and rejuvenating state, characterized by improved quality and duration of sleep, and enhanced relaxation.
This benefit is important because sleep plays a crucial role in physical and mental health, with sleep deprivation linked to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue, and impaired cognitive function, mood disturbances, and increased risk of chronic diseases.
The humulus lupulus plant's sedative properties are attributed to its bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, lupulone, and humulone, which have been shown to interact with the body's GABA receptors, promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety.
To harness the sleep-promoting benefits of humulus lupulus, it is best used in herbal preparations such as teas, tinctures, or capsules, typically in doses of 500-1000 mg per day, or as directed by a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Extract
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Improves sleep.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Insomnia, restlessness, nervousness |
| Lupulone | Anxiety, tension, stress-related sleep issues |
| Xanthohumol | Sleep disorders, difficulty falling asleep, sleep quality improvement |
8. Decreases pain
Humulus lupulus decreases pain through its analgesic effect, which is the ability to relieve or reduce pain.
This benefit is crucial as chronic pain can significantly affect a person's quality of life, impacting their mood, sleep, and ability to perform daily activities, as seen in conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and migraines.
The analgesic properties of Humulus lupulus are attributed to its bioactive constituents, including humulone, lupulone, and xanthohumol, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that contribute to its pain-relieving properties.
To experience the analgesic benefits of Humulus lupulus, it is best to consume it in herbal preparations such as beer, hops tea, or hop extract, in moderation, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Extract oil
- Salve
- Tincture
- Liniment
- Ointment
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Decreases pain.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Arthritis, migraine, muscle spasms |
| Lupulone | Inflammation, nerve pain, sprains |
| Isohumulone | Back pain, fibromyalgia, tension headaches |
9. Reduces hot flashes
Humulus lupulus reduces hot flashes, a common symptom experienced by women during menopause characterized by sudden and intense feelings of heat, sweating, and flushing.
This benefit is particularly important as hot flashes can disrupt daily life, causing sleep disturbances, anxiety, and decreased productivity, and may also be accompanied by night sweats, mood swings, and vaginal dryness.
The humulus lupulus plant has been found to possess this benefit due to its bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, which have estrogen-like properties and anti-inflammatory effects that may help alleviate hot flash symptoms.
To utilize humulus lupulus for reducing hot flashes, it can be consumed in herbal preparations such as tea, capsules, or tinctures, or used as a topical ointment, with recommended dosages varying from 20-60 mg per day of the standardized extract of the plant's cones, known as hops.
Top Preparations:
- Flower extract
- Lupulin
- Oil
- Lupuline extract
- Tincture
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces hot flashes.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Xanthohumol | Hot flashes, menopausal symptoms, night sweats, vaginal dryness, anxiety |
| Lupulone | Menopausal hot flashes, estrogen deficiency symptoms, hot flushes, sleep disturbances |
| Lupulin | Hot flashes during menopause, night sweats, estrogen imbalance symptoms, anxiety attacks |
10. Relieves menstrual cramps
Humulus lupulus relieves menstrual cramps, which are a type of dysmenorrhea characterized by intense, crampy pain in the lower abdomen, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue.
This benefit is important because menstrual cramps can significantly impact a woman's quality of life, causing her to miss work or school, and even affecting her relationships and overall well-being, as seen in cases where cramps are severe enough to cause vomiting or lead to missed periods.
The plant's bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, are believed to contribute to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which help to relieve menstrual cramps.
To utilize humulus lupulus for this benefit, it is best consumed in herbal preparations such as teas or infusions, where the plant's bioactive constituents can be easily extracted and absorbed by the body.
Top Preparations:
- Extract tincture
- Lupulin tea
- Oil infusion
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Relieves menstrual cramps.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Dysmenorrhea, primary dysmenorrhea, menstrual pain |
| Lupulone | Secondary dysmenorrhea, menstrual cramps, premenstrual syndrome |
| Lupulin | Menstrual discomfort, premenstrual tension, menstrual migraines |
11. Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease
Humulus lupulus reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering the risk of conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure due to the inflammation and oxidative stress associated with these conditions.
This benefit is important because cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 17.9 million people dying from heart disease each year.
The heart-protective effects of Humulus lupulus are attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, particularly xanthohumol, which have been shown to inhibit inflammation and improve cardiovascular function.
To harness the cardiovascular benefits of Humulus lupulus, it is best to consume it in the form of herbal preparations such as teas, extracts, or capsules, which can be taken after consulting a healthcare professional for proper dosing and usage.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Extract capsules
- Infusion
- Oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Humulone | Hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, angina pectoris |
| Lupulone | Hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy |
| Xanthohumol | Inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction |
12. Improves digestion
Humulus lupulus improves digestion by enhancing the body's ability to break down and absorb nutrients from food, which is essential for maintaining optimal health and preventing conditions such as malabsorption and bloating.
This benefit is particularly important for individuals with compromised digestive systems, such as those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, or celiac disease, as it can alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Humulus lupulus, particularly its flavonoids, xanthohumol, and alpha-bisabolol, contribute to its ability to improve digestion by reducing inflammation and protecting the digestive tract from oxidative damage.
To reap the benefits of Humulus lupulus for improved digestion, it is best to consume it in the form of herbal teas, capsules, or tinctures, or as a supplement in the form of hops extract, which can be easily incorporated into a daily routine.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Hops infused oil
- Tea
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Improves digestion.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lupulone | Gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia |
| Humulone | Diarrhea, constipation, bloating |
| Xanthohumol | Acid reflux, nausea, abdominal pain |
13. Boosts immune system
Humulus lupulus boosts immune system by enhancing the body's natural defenses against pathogens and diseases, thereby reducing the risk of infections and illnesses.
This benefit is crucial as it helps protect against conditions such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other serious infections, and also supports the body's recovery from illnesses like the common cold and flu.
The immune-boosting properties of Humulus lupulus can be attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, which have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
To harness the immune-boosting benefits of Humulus lupulus, it can be consumed in the form of herbal teas, tinctures, or capsules, which can be prepared from the dried flowers or leaves of the plant.
Top Preparations:
- Extract tincture
- Leaf infusion
- Oil capsules
The following table displays the major constituents of Humulus lupulus and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Boosts immune system.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lupulone | Malaria, infectious diseases, bacterial infections |
| Humulone | Fungal infections, urinary tract infections, viral diseases |
| Xanthohumol | Cold and flu, pneumonia, tonsillitis |