Hops
Hops are the cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant, Humulus lupulus, best known for flavoring beer. They contain compounds such as humulone and xanthohumol.
Also listed as Humulus lupulus, Hops Extract, Hops Flower, Hops Flower Extract
Does it help with sleep?
EMA recognizes certain hops preparations for mild mental stress and sleep on the basis of traditional use. Clinical sleep studies considered in its assessment combined hops with valerian, making the contribution of hops difficult to separate. 1
Traditional use and combination trials do not establish how much hops alone improves sleep. 1
What did the stress trial find?
In a crossover pilot trial, 36 young adults completed four-week periods with hops extract and placebo. Self-reported anxiety, depression, and stress improved more with hops, while morning cortisol did not change significantly. Participants had at least mild symptoms rather than a trial-defined psychiatric disorder. 2
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Longevity1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Stress & Mood2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Sleep2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Cognition1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Bone & Joint1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Women's Hormones1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Other effects1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Sources
- Lupuli flos: herbal medicinal product European Medicines Agency
- Addendum to Assessment report on Humulus lupulus L., flos European Medicines Agency, 2025