Evidence supporting the use of: Hops
For the body system: Parasympathetic Nervous System

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Hops (Humulus lupulus) has a long history of traditional use for supporting relaxation and sleep, functions often associated with the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nervous system. Historically, hops have been used in European herbal medicine as a mild sedative, anxiolytic, and sleep aid. The calming effects of hops are thought to arise from compounds such as humulone and lupulone, which may interact with GABAergic neurotransmission, a pathway involved in parasympathetic activity. However, while animal studies and some small human trials suggest sedative effects, there is limited direct clinical evidence specifically demonstrating that hops supports the parasympathetic nervous system itself. Most scientific studies focus on the use of hops for insomnia, anxiety, or stress reduction, often in combination with other herbs like valerian. Therefore, the primary justification for using hops to support the parasympathetic nervous system is rooted in traditional use, with only modest supporting scientific evidence for related effects such as promoting relaxation and sleep.

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