European honeysuckle

Lonicera caprifolium, L. periclymenum

The sweet-scented flowers were used as tea or syrup for coughs. The berries are poisonous. In Chinese medicine the related Japanese honeysuckle (jin yin hua) is used for fever and sore throat.

Safety notes

Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Flowers as tea or syrup; the scent is strongest in the evening. Do not eat the berries.

Use in traditions

Honeysuckle twines around shrubs and trees and is therefore a symbol of fidelity and attachment. The English name woodbine refers to this 'binding'. In old European folk medicine a syrup of the flowers was given for asthma and coughs. In herbal magic associated with psychic awareness, harmony, healing and prosperity.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Folklore and herbal magic

Symbolic meanings from folk use and modern herbal magic. These are handed-down associations, not effects.

Psychic awareness, harmony, healing, prosperity, luck, abundance, softens grief, liminal states.

Home, kitchen and folk use

Attributed effects

Note: the berries are poisonous (appendix).

Preparation and amount

The scent of the flowers is strongest in the evening.

Ways to prepare herbs: Tea (infusion)Syrup, honey and oxymel

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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