In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a medicinal herb often referred to as the “king of detoxifying herbs” or “golden branch, jade leaf,” known as honeysuckle flower.
Honeysuckle flower, also known as Jin Yin Hua, has the scientific name Lonicera japonica Thunb. The parts of the honeysuckle plant that can be used for medicinal purposes include the newly bloomed flowers, leaves, and stems.
Honeysuckle flower has the effect of clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispelling wind heat.
Modern medical research shows that honeysuckle flower is rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. It also contains vitamin C, which can enhance immunity and improve the elasticity of blood vessels. Additionally, it is packed with various minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium, which are beneficial for bone development and the human nervous system.
According to national herbalist Bui Dac Sang (Hanoi Traditional Medicine Association): Honeysuckle flower has a sweet, cold nature. It is associated with the lungs, stomach, and heart meridians. Its effects include clearing heat, detoxifying, and dispelling wind heat, as well as having antibacterial and anti-allergic properties.
In all recipes containing honeysuckle flower, it is recommended to use a daily dosage of 12-20g (for flowers) or 12-16g (for stems). Furthermore, honeysuckle flower can also be used to relieve muscle and tendon pain.
Honeysuckle flower is rich in flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties.
Medicinal Recipes Using Honeysuckle Flower Shared by Herbalist Bui Dac Sang
1. Honeysuckle Flower Tea for Health Support and Skin Beauty
Usage: Take a sufficient amount of honeysuckle flower and brew it as tea.
Honeysuckle tea is also excellent for improving skin quality. The rutin in it can reduce skin inflammation, enhance skin elasticity, and minimize pore size.
2. Treating Boils, Itching, and Some Allergic Reactions
Usage: Take 8-12g of honeysuckle (flowers, leaves, stems) and decoct with 100ml of water. Drink daily.
Alternatively: Prepare 20g of honeysuckle flower, 12g of forsythia, 16g of dandelion, 12g of scutellaria, 12g of Chinese thistle, 8g of earthworm, 8g of dried tangerine peel, and 4g of licorice. Decoct these ingredients into a herbal remedy and drink one dose daily.
Honeysuckle flower contains various minerals such as zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium…
3. Supporting Chronic Hepatitis Treatment
Usage: Take 16g of honeysuckle flower, 12g of scutellaria, 20g of capillaris, 12g of talc, 12g of citrus peel, 12g of amur cork tree, 12g of poria, 8g of nutmeg, 8g of pig’s stomach, and 4g of licorice. Decoct all the ingredients into a herbal remedy and drink one dose per day.
4. Treating Dengue Fever with Honeysuckle Flower
Usage: Use 20g of honeysuckle flower, 12g of forsythia, 16g of false dandelion, 12g of scutellaria, 20g of imperata cylindrica root, 8g of gardenia fruit, and 16g of sophora flower… decoct and drink one dose daily.
5. Treating Pneumonia in Children
Usage: Use 16g of honeysuckle flower, 20g of raw licorice, 6g of forsythia, 6g of rhizoma drynariae, 6g of coptis, 4g of licorice, 6g of scutellaria, and 8g of mulberry root bark. Decoct these ingredients into a herbal remedy and drink one dose daily.
6. Treating Acute Appendicitis with Honeysuckle Flower
Usage: Use 20g of honeysuckle flower, 12g of ligusticum, 16g of forsythia, 8g of amomum, 12g of phellodendron, 8g of curcuma, 12g of coptis, 16g of bifidobacterium, 12g of plantago seed, 16g of coix seed, and 4g of processed rhubarb. Decoct all the ingredients into a herbal remedy and drink one dose daily.
7. Treating Diarrhea
Usage: Prepare 6g of honeysuckle flower, 100ml of clean water, and 12g of honeysuckle leaves and stems. Decoct and drink one dose daily.
Precautions When Using Honeysuckle Flower as Medicine
When using honeysuckle flower for decoction, it is advisable to discard the first water.
Herbalist Sang advises not to use honeysuckle flower for breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women.
When using honeysuckle flower for decoction, it is recommended to discard the first water, then decoct thoroughly and use the second water for consumption. This action can help eliminate the saponins contained in honeysuckle flower.
Especially, if you are currently taking any medication and wish to use honeysuckle flower, it is advisable to consult your doctor before use.
