Side Effects of Valerian Hops

Valerian Hops is a combination herbal medication that is often used to treat sleep disorders. Although the herbs sold in health food stores and online are touted as a treatment for ailments such as anxiety, headache and insomnia, they are unproven to treat any of these ailments successfully. Valerian hops, like many herbal remedies, are unregulated by the government and may have some side effects.

Drug Interactions

• Herbal medications that contain Valerian hops may cause extreme drowsiness when mixed with products containing alcohol. According to the National Library of Medicine, taking valerian hops with sedatives and narcotics such as Xanax, Halcion, Morphine and Nembutal may enhance their effects. Herbs that induce sleep such as skullcap, catnip, melatonin, L-tryptophan and St. Johns Wort can increase feelings of sleepiness when combined with valerian hops as well.

Estrogen Levels

• Hops may have some estrogen-like effects when taken in large quantities. This is due to the phytoestrogen called 8-prenyl naringenin that is present in hops. Increased estrogen has been linked to breast cancer risk. Hops are not recommended for use by children or pregnant women in particular due to their potentially harmful effects.

Allergic Reactions

• Reactions such as skin redness and inflammation have been associated with taking valerian hops. In addition, side effects including headache, blurry vision, numbness, nausea, heart palpitations and hallucinations are sometimes reported by people who use the combination herbal remedy.