Honeysuckle (most commonly referring to Lonicera japonica in traditional medicine contexts) has a long history of use in East Asian traditional medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is known as "Jin Yin Hua" and is reputed for its "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" properties. In historical TCM texts, honeysuckle is sometimes recommended for conditions characterized by symptoms like fever, inflammation, and "toxic heat"—a conceptual category that includes some sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea. For gonorrhea, honeysuckle was often used in combination with other herbs formulated to address symptoms such as urethral discharge and pain.

However, the scientific evidence supporting honeysuckle’s use for gonorrhea is minimal to nonexistent. There are in vitro studies indicating that extracts of Lonicera japonica have broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, but there is no direct clinical evidence or well-conducted trials demonstrating efficacy against Neisseria gonorrhoeae (the causative agent of gonorrhea) in humans. Modern medical guidelines do not recommend honeysuckle for treating gonorrhea, as effective, evidence-based antibiotic therapies are available. Thus, while the traditional use is documented, scientific validation is lacking.