Hops Essential Oil (Humulus lupulus)

Overview

Hops may also be referred to as Common hop. It is typically processed using steam distillation as a method for extracting oil from the flowers known as cones or strobiles.

Summary

Most commonly known for its use in crafting beers, "hops" as they're commonly called, are the female flowers (cones) of Humulus lupulus, a climbing plant most commonly grown in Europe.

Aromatically, I find Hop Essential Oil to be a bit too bitter/sharp for my liking when used alone, but it is a wonderful aromatic when blending at low dilutions with other oils for either therapeutic or fragrance blending.

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Earthy Fresh Herbaceous Slightly bitter Sweet

  • Common Name(s): Common hop
  • Synonyms(s) for Humulus lupulus: Humulus aculeatus, Humulus lupulus brachystachyus, Humulus volubilis, Humulus vulgaris, Humulus yunnanensis, Lupulus amarus, Lupulus communis, Lupulus humulus

  • Botanical Family: Cannabaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Humulus
  • Major Compounds: a-Caryophyllene, B-Myrcene, B-Caryophyllene, gamma-Cadinene, delta-Cadinene, a-Muurolene
  • Perfumery Note: Middle
  • Consistency: Medium
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium
  • Color: Golden Yellow
  • Indigenous Country: Germany
  • Cultivation: Wild Harvested
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distillation
  • Part Typically Used: Flowers known as cones or strobiles
  • Shelf Life: Indefinite
  • Wild Harvested Wild Harvested
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Anxiety Insomnia Sedative Stress

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Hops:

Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young do not precaution against any specific hazards or contraindications within their safety summary. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 306.] Julia Lawless mentions that it should be avoided by those with depression, however, she does not confirm why nor do I see this forewarning in other sources. [Julia Lawless,The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 149.]

Safety Precautions for Hops:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Articles

Hops Articles or Publications: