Glandula lupuli

Glandula lupuli are the natural hop glands used in naturopathy, of the true hop (also known as Humulus vulgaris), consisting of the glandular scales on the inside of the bracts of the female inflorescences or fruit.

Efficacy reducing ingredients: about 50% resinous substances with the unstable bitter substances humulone, cohumulone (alpha hop bitter acid) and lupulone, colupulone and adlupulone (beta hop bitter acid). This results in compounds like 2-methyl-3-butenol, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. Furthermore, Glandula Lupuli contain 0.3% essential oils with the main components alpha and beta-caryophyllene, farnesene), 0.5-1.5% flavonoids (including quercetin, fighterol glycosides, 8-prenylnaringenine (also known as hopeine - a highly potent phytoestrogen - Abdi F et al. 2016) and as the main component various chalcones), tanning agents (2-4%), choline and asparagine (Zhang WK et al. 2013).

During storage Glandula Lupuli decomposes rapidly, producing valerian acid. Xanthohumol is a compound specific for hops and is therefore also used as an analytical lead substance.

Sedative, sleep-inducing, appetite-stimulating, antibacterial, promotes saliva and stomach secretion.

Hop extracts can be used as sedatives; also for menopausal and postmenopausal complaints. Occasionally hop bitter is used as an amarum aromatic for flavour intensification in liqueurs and essences. Preparations made from hop cones are used as a light sedative and tranquilliser. Hop extracts are commercially available as ready-to-use drugs, often mixed with other herbal sedatives such as valerian.

In aromatherapy, hop blossoms are used as "aroma cushions" or hop extracts as bath additives.

Indication according to commission E: restlessness, anxiety, sleep disorders

Indications in traditional medicine: irritable bladder, enuresis nocturna, loss of appetite, nervous gastropathy.

Dosage form: Cut drug, drug powder, dry extract powder for infusions and decoctions.

1. Abdi F et al (2016) Protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis: hop (Humulus lupulus L.) for menopausal vasomotor symptoms. BMJ Open 6:e010734.
2. Burger A et al (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 7th Edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York p. p 694-695
3. Keiler AM et al (2013) Hop extracts and hop substances in treatment of menopausal complaints. Planta Med 79:576-579.
4. Overk CR et al.(2005) Comparison of the in vitro estrogenic activities of compounds from hops (Humulus lupulus) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). J Agricultural Food Chem 53:6246-6253.
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. Schilcher H (2016.) Guide to Phytotherapy. Urban & Fischer Publishing House Munich S. 160-162
8. Tan KW et al (2014) Hop-derived prenylflavonoids are substrates and inhibitors of the efflux transporter breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2). Mol Nutr Food Res 58:2099-2110.
9. Zhang WK et al (2013) Flavonoids from Humulus lupulus. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi 38:1539-1542.