Honeysuckle (Lonicera Caprifolium) is a group of shrubs that contain flowers flowing with a beautiful fragrance, as aromatic as the taste of honey. The name honeysuckle is often attributed to the taste, though the scientific name is after the renaissance botanist, Lonicera.
Being used extensively for its various therapeutic properties for many centuries, the nectar of this flower is delicious and sweet. Originally a native of Japan and parts of the Northern hemisphere, there are more than 175 different species of plants that are commonly referred to as honeysuckles. Now common in India, it is popularly known as Madhumathi.
The flowers and leaves are used in traditional Chinese medicine in the form of tinctures and teas. Honeysuckle has incredible health benefits. The flowers and leaves have diuretic, antispasmodic, emetic, and laxative properties. The extracts are also used for digestive disorders including pain, inflammation of the small intestine, curing dysentery, upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, swine flu and pneumonia and diabetes.
Health Benefits Of Honeysuckle
Helps Reduce Swelling Of The Brain
Some varieties of honeysuckle flower like the blue berried honeysuckle have phenolic compounds such as quercetin and rutin which provide myriad health benefits. Quercetin is used for curing conditions of the heart, to prevent cancer and to cure neurological diseases. The antioxidants content also helps combat brain swelling and memory loss.
Also Read: Amnesia/Memory Loss: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Cure For Arthritis
The flowers have potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This makes it a powerful remedy that helps people suffering from arthritis, thus improving the body's immune response to reduce vulnerability to disease.
Combats Pneumonia
Pneumonia can be a deadly infection of the lungs, but honeysuckle has been helpful in improving respiratory health, even during serious illness.
Normalizes Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attack or stroke. Having honeysuckle infusions that contain Quercetin aids in normalizing blood pressure.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Medicinal Benefits Of Honeysuckle?
Honeysuckle offers several medicinal benefits due to its natural bioactive compounds like chlorogenic acid, quercetin, and luteolin. Some key benefits include:
Reduces inflammation in the body
Fights infections (viral, bacterial, and fungal)
Provides relief from respiratory issues like cold, cough, and sore throat
Acts as a natural detoxifier
Supports digestion and reduces gut inflammation
Helps heal skin conditions such as acne, rashes, eczema, and boils
Boosts immunity due to antioxidant activity
It is widely used in herbal teas, syrups, ointments, and capsules for these purposes.
What Are The Benefits Of Honeysuckle?
Beyond medicinal uses, honeysuckle offers several overall wellness benefits. It helps fight free radicals, supports a healthy immune system, eases seasonal allergies, and promotes respiratory health. Its soothing properties also help reduce stress and mild anxiety when consumed as tea. When applied topically, it helps calm irritated skin, reduce acne, and promote wound healing.
What Is Honeysuckle Called In India?
Honeysuckle is not native to India, but it is known by different names in herbal systems. In Hindi and Ayurveda, it is often referred to as “Madhumalti” or “Kamptan”, depending on the region. Some species of ornamental honeysuckle grown in India may also be informally called “Japanese honeysuckle” or “Woodbine.”
Is Honeysuckle Poisonous To Humans?
Certain species of honeysuckle, especially berries, can be mildly poisonous if eaten in large quantities. While the flowers of most honeysuckle species (such as Japanese honeysuckle) are generally safe and used medicinally, the berries and leaves of wide varieties can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or diarrhea if taken orally.
References:
Health Properties and Composition of Honeysuckle Berry Lonicera caerulea L. An Update on Recent Studies
Marta Gołba 1,*, Anna Sokół-Łętowska 1, Alicja Z Kucharska 1
A comprehensive review on Chinese honeysuckle (Qusqualis indica): A Traditional Chinese plant
Anuj Kumar Sharma a, Deepti M. Sati b, Yogesh Murti c,
Akash Ved
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214750024001513
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