The Roman Remedy Making A Comeback For Sleep And Stress
Stress, anxiety and sleepless nights have become defining features of our restless modern age — driven by conflict, economic uncertainty, the rising cost of living, and the ever-present shadow of climate change. It’s little wonder, then, that so many are seeking comfort in natural remedies. One such remedy is hops, a plant gaining renewed attention for its potential health benefits (though research is still ongoing).
Best known as a cornerstone of beer-making, hops has a history of medicinal use dating back to Roman times. Today, it’s enjoying a revival — valued not just for its role in brewing but for its calming properties, its ability to support sleep, and even its potential to ease menopausal symptoms.
Traditionally paired with valerian, lemon balm and passion flower in natural sleep aids, it’s an ingredient to consider adding to your routine.
What exactly is hops?
Dried hop flowers are most famous for lending beer its distinctive bitter flavour, but the plant’s medicinal use extends way back. It has been used for centuries to treat digestive issues, skin conditions, ulcers and even leprosy.
Hop flowers are naturally rich in beneficial compounds: flavonoids (such as xanthohumol), phenolic acids and tannins with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as phytoestrogens and bitter acids like humulone and lupulone. Legend has it that hops’ sedative properties were first noticed by workers harvesting the flowers, who reported feeling unusually calm and drowsy.
The health benefits of hops
- Antioxidant protection: rich in compounds that help combat free-radical damage.
- Stress and sleep support: bitter acids such as lupulone and humulone have sedative effects, helping to ease anxiety, reduce stress and improve sleep quality.
- Menopause relief: thanks to phytoestrogens, hops may help with hot flushes, irritability and night waking.
- Cardiovascular health: certain flavonoids may reduce arterial calcification and improve circulation, though more studies are needed.
- Mood support: a 2017 study found hops helped reduce mild depression among students.
- Hair and scalp health: with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, hops can strengthen hair.
Who shouldn’t take hops?
- It may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals,
- It is not recommended to take hop supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding, mainly because there have been no studies on this group of people.
- Hops is not recommended for those with hormone-sensitive conditions because it contains phytoestrogens.
How much hops should you take a day?
General guidelines suggest up to 300mg of dry extract daily, or 20–60 drops of tincture diluted in water.