Hops (Humulus lupulus)
Photo: Matt Lavin from Bozeman, Montana, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Mental
- 1 condition
- Licensed photo
Overview
Hops (Humulus lupulus) are the female flower clusters (“strobiles”) of a tall, climbing perennial vine that can reach up to about 23 ft (7 m). They are known primarily for their bitter flavor in beer.
Safety & precautions
Contraindicated in Depression: Hops can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Estrogenic Effects: Use caution if you have estrogen-dominant conditions or if pregnant. Allergies: Those allergic to hops should avoid. Children: Ask a qualified professional before giving it to young children.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
Laboratory work shows hops can inhibit drug-processing enzymes, but a human study did not find clinically relevant effects. [1, 2]
- Medicines broken down by CYP2C enzymes or CYP1A2
- A 2014 laboratory study found a standardized hop extract strongly inhibited CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, and the authors suggested this could affect some drugs. MSK notes that in people, a standardized hops product did not cause clinically relevant interactions. [1, 2]
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol)
- In animals, some hops species slowed the clearance of acetaminophen. Relevance to people is undetermined. [2]
How to read this section: each entry is HerbMate's summary of what the cited sources report. Words such as "may", "theoretical" or "in laboratory or animal studies" mean the effect has not been confirmed in people, and "case report" means it was seen in one or a few patients. A medicine that is not listed here has not been shown to be safe with this herb. The numbers in brackets link to the sources at the foot of the page.
Habitat
Indigenous to Europe and Asia, hops flourish along roadsides or in open fields and are grown commercially in northern Europe and parts of the U.S. The female flowers are gathered in early autumn and dried at low temperatures.
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
Traditionally used for
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Frequently asked questions
What safety cautions apply to Hops (Humulus lupulus)?
Contraindicated in Depression: Hops can exacerbate depressive symptoms. Estrogenic Effects: Use caution if you have estrogen-dominant conditions or if pregnant. Allergies: Those allergic to hops should avoid. Children: Ask a qualified professional before giving it to young children.
Related herbs
California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual or short-lived perennial with finely divided leaves and vibrant orange, yellow, pink, or red blossoms. It is related to the opium poppy.
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Linden (Tilia europaea)Linden comprises deciduous trees growing to a height of 100 feet with smooth gray bark, heart-shaped leaves, and clusters of pale yellow flowers with winglike bracts. Native to Europe, it is found in the wild but is also much planted in gardens and along roads. The flowers are collected in summer. Greek myth recounts how the nymph Philyra, devastated after being raped by the god Cronus in the guise of a horse and giving birth to the centaur Chiron, begged the gods not to leave her amongst mortals. The gods granted her wish by transforming her into a linden tree, forever linking this graceful species with transformation and divine mercy.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata and related species) is a climbing vine that can grow up to about 30 ft (9 m). It features ornate, complex flowers - often white, purple, or blue - and lobed leaves. Traditionally used as a sedative, passionflower is taken for anxiety and sleep problems; NCCIH says a small amount of research suggests it might help anxiety and total sleep time, but conclusions are not definite. Some species, such as P. quadrangularis, contain serotonin-like compounds.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a perennial, up to about 2 ft (60 cm), with branching stems, lanceolate leaves, and small pink to blue flowers.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an upright, clump-forming perennial reaching about 4 ft (1.2 m), with divided, pinnate leaves and pinkish-white clusters of small flowers. Known for its pungent (often unpleasant) smell, valerian has been used medicinally since early Greece and Rome, historically for insomnia, migraine, fatigue and stomach cramps. NCCIH says the evidence on sleep is inconsistent and there is not enough evidence to know whether valerian helps any health condition.
Violet (Viola odorata)Sweet violet is a creeping perennial growing to 6 inches tall with toothed oval leaves and attractive violet-blue or white flowers with a five-petaled corolla. Native to much of Europe and Asia, it is a common wayside plant also found along roadsides and in woodlands. In classical mythology, sweet violet was associated with death.