Evidence supporting the use of: Japanese Honeysuckle
For the health condition: Colds (antiviral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) has been traditionally used in East Asian medicine, particularly in Chinese herbal medicine, to treat various infections including colds and influenza-like illnesses. In recent years, several laboratory studies have investigated its antiviral activities, supporting a scientific basis for its use. Extracts from the flowers and stems of Japanese Honeysuckle contain compounds such as chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and lonicerin, which have demonstrated antiviral effects in vitro against a range of viruses, including influenza viruses and coronaviruses. For example, a study published in Antiviral Research (2015) showed that honeysuckle decoction inhibited replication of influenza A virus in cultured cells. Another study in Cell Research (2014) suggested that microRNAs from honeysuckle could directly bind to influenza virus mRNA and suppress viral replication in mice.
However, most of these studies are at the preclinical (cell or animal) stage, and robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. While Japanese Honeysuckle is an ingredient in several traditional Chinese medicine formulas used for colds (such as Yin Qiao San), the direct evidence for efficacy in humans is limited and primarily anecdotal or based on traditional usage. Therefore, while there is some scientific validation for antiviral activity, the overall quality and quantity of evidence supporting its use specifically for colds in humans remains modest.
More about Japanese Honeysuckle
More about Colds (antiviral)
Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)
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anthocyanins
arabinogalactan
Waterhyssop
basil
berry flavor
beta-pinene
bilberry
bisabolol
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
blueberry
Indian frankincense
cat's claw
catechins
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus oil
clove
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
honeysuckle
knotweed
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
lemon
licorice root
luteolin
Mastic gum
Monolaurin
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
pineapple
pomegranate
quercetin
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
shiitake mushroom
spirulina
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
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Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
hyssop
papaya
Mugwort
Neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
commiphora
buckthorn
pau d'arco
Morus
lemongrass
chrysanthemum
ganoderma
Morinda
oriental arborvitae
zanthoxylum
fulvic acid
goji berry
indigo leaves
soursop
ash
Agastache
Autumn elaeagnus
alpha-terpineol
apigenin
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
amentoflavone
Asam gelugor
Acacetin
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Asteraceae
Allyl sulfide
Allyl isothiocyanate
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
atractylone
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
balsam
bishop\'s weed
black galingale
bitter grass
bee hive
Basidiomycota
berry
bee products
back nightshade
Bombax
baicalin
Bassia scoparia
borneol
caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
coconut
curry leaf
Chinese mountain ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coriolus mushroom
carrageenan
carvacrol
capillary artemisia
citron
Citrus
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Cistus
common madia
cinnamaldehyde
costus
Celosia
Chondrus
deoxyandrographolides
David\'s milkberry
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
fruit
flavonoids
fungus
flavonones
flavones
goldthread
glyceryl monolaurate
gamma-terpinene
garlic
Gallesia
gallotannin
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Galangal
Glycyrrhizin
honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Himalaya berry
Isatis
Indian kinotree
Litsea
Lomatium
lichen
Laggera pterodonta
ligustilides
luffa
Ligustrum
labrador tea
liverwort
Ligusticum
Mineral ascorbate
Melia
Monoterpenes
mangostin
Mushroom
Neoandrographolides
Naphthoquinones
Nymphaea nouchali
Osha
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Propolis
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phenylpropanoids
Phaeophyceae
Paris polyphylla
Piper nigrum
Patrinia
Polygonum
Petiveria
ravinsara
reed herb
Sophora
Smartweed
Solanaceae
Sesquiterpenes
Salvia
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Shogaol
Sandalwood
saponins
Shikimic Acid
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymus
Tamaricaceae
Triterpenes
Tayuya
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Trametes
Tagetes
Thiosulfinate
Visnea Mocanera
Violet
Verbascoside
Viola
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Other health conditions supported by Japanese Honeysuckle
AbscessesAcne
Adenitis
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (alternatives to)
Anxiety
Appendicitis
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Carbuncles
Chest Pain
Chills
Cold Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Conjunctivitis
Cuts
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Diphtheria
Eczema
Edema
Eye Infections
Fever
Fungal Infections
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gonorrhea
Gout
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Hepatitis
Herpes
Infection
Inflammation
Influenza