Evidence supporting the use of: Honeysuckle
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a variety of infections, including those affecting the urinary tract. In TCM, honeysuckle is classified as a "heat-clearing" and "detoxifying" herb, often used to "clear heat and relieve toxicity" from the body. It is commonly included in herbal formulas to treat symptoms consistent with urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as painful or difficult urination, due to its reputed anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, while in vitro studies have demonstrated that honeysuckle extracts possess some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, particularly against certain Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, there is a lack of high-quality human clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for UTIs. Most of the evidence supporting its use comes from traditional practices and anecdotal reports rather than robust scientific validation. Therefore, while honeysuckle continues to be used for urinary tract complaints in herbal medicine systems, particularly in Asia, the scientific evidence for its effectiveness is limited, and its use is primarily justified by tradition rather than modern clinical research.

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