Honeysuckle (Lonicera species)

Common names: Honeysuckle

Taxonomic name: Lonicera species

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Uses: Infections and inflammations of any sort

Area of origin: Eurasia, North America

Warnings: Don’t eat the berries

Honeysuckle is a fragrant climber that flowers in Summer though its delightful smell can be a bit overpowering sometimes. It has berries, but they are toxic to we humans – the birds like them, though and you’ll surely attract more to your garden with a Honeysuckle vine.

Honeysuckle can be used for a wide range of infections and inflammations, as it has strong antimicrobial effects. It is best used for colds and flu with fever but pretty well any infection will benefit from a few cups or a wash of Honeysuckle flower tea. Its strong antimicrobial compounds are also helpful when fighting E. coli, Staphylococcus and Candida infections. Recent research shows it to be helpful when fighting the Influenza virus and Swine flu.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Honeysuckle expels heat, inducing perspiration and hastening the end of an illness that way. I’ve used Honeysuckle tea successfully with common colds to speed the relief.