Lonicera japonica
- Origin
- Asia
- Part used
- Flowers
- Tradition
- Traditional ethnobotany
In the gardens and pharmacopeia of the Far East, Japanese honeysuckle — Jin Yin Hua, the "flower of gold and silver" — has for centuries held a prized place. Its delicate flowers, picked in the early morning, have nourished a thousand-year-old Chinese herbalist tradition, passed down from generation to generation.
Traditional uses
Soothing throat ailments
The dried flowers were traditionally infused to help with feverish states accompanied by sore throats, according to the use reported by traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional digestive support
In China, honeysuckle flower infusion was among the refreshing drinks used to help with mild digestive troubles linked to heat, according to traditional humoral theory.
Traditional use for skin conditions
Flower-based preparations were applied externally to soothe certain skin irritation, particularly in Chinese folk pharmacopeia.
Support for the body during winter
Jin Yin Hua is traditionally combined with other plants in formulas intended to support the body during seasonal colds.
What to know before use
Avoid prolonged use without the advice of a health professional, particularly if undergoing medication treatment, for lack of data on possible interactions. Use not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for lack of sufficient safety data. Do not confuse with other honeysuckle species whose berries are toxic; only the flowers are traditionally used. In children, reserve use for prior professional advice.
The detailed notebook
- Prepared as a paste or decoction
- Traditional duration of use
- Known contraindications
- Related species and their uses
Where to find it
Partner herbalists — available with the detailed notebook.
Sources
Wikipedia