Evidence supporting the use of: Japanese Honeysuckle
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a variety of ailments, including respiratory conditions such as congestion. In TCM, honeysuckle is often used in formulas to "clear heat" and "relieve toxicity," which can relate to symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, fever, and associated congestion. The flowers are typically prepared as teas, decoctions, or incorporated into multi-herb remedies. Historical texts and modern TCM practitioners describe its use for sore throat, cough, and nasal congestion, attributing these effects to its purported anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
However, robust scientific evidence specifically supporting Japanese Honeysuckle for the treatment of congestion is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that honeysuckle extracts may have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which could theoretically benefit respiratory symptoms, but clinical trials in humans are sparse or lacking. Most of the justification for its use in congestion comes from traditional practice rather than rigorous clinical validation. Thus, while widely used in traditional medicine, the scientific backing for honeysuckle as a treatment for congestion remains preliminary and not well-established.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
Allspicebasil
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
chamomile
citrus oil
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
spearmint leaf
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
Zinc
squawvine
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
Mugwort
malabar nut
ferula assafoetida
anise
blackboard tree
Szechuan lovage
buckthorn
lemongrass
Yerba santa
coltsfoot
sweet flag
Trichosanthes
birch
eucalyptus
Menthol oil
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
Alcohol
Akebia
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
asafoetida
Arisaema
atractylone
balsam
bishop\'s weed
bayleaf
Barleria
bitter grass
berry
black salt
bee products
Bombax
Buddha\'s hand
borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
cineole
cajuput
Chinese raisintree
cowherb
Ephedra
European Elder
Echinacea
Elder
essential oil blend
ephedrine
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
honey
heal-all
Horsemint
Isatis
long pepper
Ivy
joe-pye
Ligusticum
mallow
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Nardostachys
Osha
Orris
Platycodon
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
ravinsara
reed herb
Sesquiterpenes
Sambucus nigra
Servicetree
Sassafras
Thymus
Tayuya
Vervain
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Yerba buena
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