Contents
Is hop toxic?
No, hop flowers (hops) or hop plant (Humulus lupulus) are not poisonous. However, its use is subject to the medical prescription as it may have unwanted side effects, and, therefore, important contraindications.
What are hop components?
- Resins: (1530 %) plant resins are rich in a compound called lupulin. * Learn about Properties of lupulin.
- Bitter principles: lupulin, humulene, hupulone (Fruit)
- Essential oils: (0.31 %) alpha caryophyllene mainly (90%), farnescene, eugenol, limonene, myrcene, valeric ester. The main component of the oil is alpha caryophyllene, also called humulene by its presence in the essential oil of Humulus lupulus.
- Flavonoids: quercetin, Kaempferol, (Fruits) Rutin (fruit and especially leaves)
- Tannins: (24%): gallocatechins
- Phytosterols
Toxic or dangerous principles of hops
Toxic principles of seeds: bitter principles of the resin.
The bitter principles found in hops resin have depressant effects on the nervous system, conferring sedative and tranquilizing properties to this plant.
However, in high doses, these components can cause some side effects.
What are the side effects of taking high doses of hops?
Detail of the cones (infrutescences) and the leaves of hop.
– Headache
– Episodes of delusions and mental tiredness
– Dizziness
– Nausea
– Vomiting
– Low pulse
– constipation.
– At high doses, the essential oil is irritating and narcotic.
Hops growers and the people who work manipulating the cones (fruits) can suffer these symptoms.
Hops for pregnancy and lactation
The use of hops is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation for its estrogenic effect.
Although, studies show that, when administered to nursing mothers, lupulin increases the flow of milk, it has Not proven safe.
Consult your doctor before taking hops in these two cases.
More information on hop.
