This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Lonicera japonica work to reduce inflammation?
Lonicera japonica exerts anti-inflammatory effects primarily through its active compounds, chlorogenic acid and luteolin. These constituents inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppress nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways, which are central to the body's inflammatory response. Additionally, the herb demonstrates broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral properties by disrupting microbial cell membranes. This dual mechanism supports its traditional use for clearing heat and toxins in conditions like upper respiratory infections and fevers (Evidence Level C).
Does Lonicera japonica interact with medications?
Currently, there are no well-documented severe drug interactions for Lonicera japonica. However, due to the presence of flavonoids like luteolin, it may possess mild antiplatelet properties. Patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, such as warfarin or aspirin, should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider before use. While generally safe, it is always advisable to separate the ingestion of herbs and pharmaceutical drugs by at least two hours to prevent absorption issues (Evidence Level C/Traditional).
What is the recommended dosage for Lonicera japonica?
The standard adult dosage for dried Lonicera japonica flowers is 9 to 15 grams daily, typically prepared as a decoction or tea. For concentrated extracts, a common dosage ranges from 500mg to 1 gram taken twice daily. Dosage may vary based on the specific condition, such as acute infections versus chronic inflammation. It is best to follow the guidance of a qualified practitioner to determine the appropriate strength and duration for individual needs (Traditional/Evidence Level C).
Is Lonicera japonica safe to take during pregnancy?
Lonicera japonica is generally considered safe during pregnancy when used under professional supervision. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is one of the few cooling herbs considered appropriate for pregnant women to treat fevers or infections. However, due to limited clinical trials specifically on pregnant populations, it should be used at the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration. Women should always consult a qualified herbalist or midwife before adding any herbal supplement to their regimen during pregnancy (Traditional/Evidence Level C).
What are the side effects of Japanese honeysuckle?
Lonicera japonica is well-tolerated by most individuals, but mild side effects can occur. The most common complaints involve the digestive system, including mild stomach upset or loose stools. In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, this is attributed to its cold nature potentially weakening the Spleen if overused. It is contraindicated for patients with 'cold' conditions without heat signs, as it may exacerbate symptoms like cold extremities or diarrhea. Discontinue use if digestive discomfort persists (Traditional).
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Lonicera japonica, known as Japanese honeysuckle or Jin Yin Hua, is a traditional medicinal herb used for its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant properties [PMID:21864666, PMID:39414197].
Background
Lonicera japonica Thunb. is a semi-evergreen climbing shrub of the Caprifoliaceae family [PMID:39557477]. Its dried flower buds or nascent flowers are utilized as a high-value medicinal material and culinary ingredient [PMID:39557477, PMID:35347943].
Traditional uses
It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat exopathogenic wind-heat, epidemic febrile diseases, sores, carbuncles, infectious diseases, and for heat-clearing and detoxification effects [PMID:33982879, PMID:21864666, PMID:37516391].
Active compounds
Key bioactive components include polysaccharides (LJP), phenolic acids (such as chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid), flavones (luteolin, quercetin), cyanidin, essential oils, saponins, iridoids, and caffeoylquinic acids [PMID:40225345, PMID:34434181, PMID:21864666]. Specific new constituents identified include japopenoid D and E [PMID:33960222].
Mechanism of action
L. japonica may act by regulating the NLRP3-IL-17 signaling axis [PMID:36184153], promoting Nrf2 activation and NLRP3 inflammasome degradation via p62 [PMID:36889421], and inhibiting pro-inflammatory proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, toll-like receptor 4, and interleukin-1 receptor [PMID:32206048]. It may also reshape gut microbiota to increase microbiota-derived spermidine, which interacts with HADHA to reverse inflammatory metabolic reprogramming [PMID:42295975].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DAllergic Rhinitis
Water-extracted L. japonica polysaccharide (WLJP) attenuated behavioral symptoms (rubbing, sneezing) and decreased serum inflammatory factors and NLRP3 inflammasomes [PMID:36184153]
Evidence DAtopic Dermatitis
A homogeneous polysaccharide (WLJP-025p) improved skin thickness and reduced serum IgE and IL-17 levels [PMID:36889421]
Evidence DUlcerative Colitis
WLJP-025p dose-dependently reduced colitis pathology and inflammation while restoring mucosal integrity in mice [PMID:42295975]
Evidence CInflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Used in TCM research and clinical settings for treatment, though specific clinical trial data is not detailed in the abstract [PMID:40225345]
Evidence AAcute Lung Injury (ALI)
Documented anti-ALI properties through multi-component synergy [PMID:40721118]
Evidence DType 2 Diabetes
Caffeoylquinic acids from L. japonica demonstrated hypoglycemic activity via alpha-glucosidase/alpha-amylase inhibition and glucose uptake [PMID:42216630]
Safety & adverse effects
Generally considered to have minimal toxicity [PMID:40225345]. However, a case of contact dermatitis (linear itchy raised blisters) was reported following contact with the plant [PMID:8519185]. Some pesticide residues (specifically carbofuran) may pose health risks [PMID:35347943].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models (mice, rats, C. elegans), and systematic reviews of existing literature. While there is strong theoretical and preclinical support for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, high-level human clinical trial data is limited in the provided abstracts.
3.PMID: 39557477 (2024) — Progress on the mining of functional genes of Lonicera japonica. · Yi chuan = Hereditas
4.PMID: 33960222 (2022) — Two new chemical constituents from Lonicera japonica. · Natural product research
5.PMID: 35347943 (2022) — [Research progress on pesticide residues of Lonicera Japonica Flos]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
10.PMID: 35970409 (2022) — Bioactive constituents from the leaves of Lonicera japonica. · Fitoterapia
11.PMID: 21864666 (2011) — Lonicera japonica Thunb.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology of an important traditional Chinese medicine. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
12.PMID: 39414197 (2024) — Polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica Thunb.: Extraction, purification, structural features and biological activities-A review. · International journal of biological macromolecules
13.PMID: 34434181 (2021) — Potential Application of Lonicera japonica Extracts in Animal Production: From the Perspective of Intestinal Health. · Frontiers in microbiology
14.PMID: 40721118 (2025) — Lonicera japonica Thunb. in acute lung injury: A systematic review of bioactive components and multi-target mechanisms. · Fitoterapia
15.PMID: 32206048 (2020) — Lonicerae japonicae flos and Lonicerae flos: a systematic review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology. · Phytochemistry reviews : proceedings of the Phytochemical Society of Europe
16.PMID: 40026631 (2025) — Lymph node-targeted delivery of Lonicera japonica thunb. polysaccharides for enhancing antitumor immunotherapy. · Materials today. Bio
17.PMID: 37516391 (2024) — Inhibitory effect of Lonicera japonica-derived exosomal miR2911 on human papilloma virus. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
18.PMID: 42216630 (2026) — Caffeoylquinic Acids From Lonicera japonica Thunb. as Hypoglycemic Agents: Network Pharmacology and Pharmacological Validation. · Journal of diabetes research
19.PMID: 39533983 (2024) — Comparative analysis of chloroplast genome of Lonicera japonica cv. Damaohua. · Open life sciences
20.PMID: 42295975 (2026) — Lonicera japonica polysaccharide restores mucosal integrity in ulcerative colitis by increasing microbiota-derived spermidine. · Cell reports
21.PMID: 28128416 (2017) — Analysis of the genetic diversity of Lonicera japonica Thumb. using inter-simple sequence repeat markers. · Genetics and molecular research : GMR
22.PMID: 37375383 (2023) — Extraction, Purification, Structural Characteristics, Health Benefits, and Application of the Polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica Thunb.: A Review. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
23.PMID: 39272415 (2024) — Lonicera japonica Fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum Improve Multiple Patterns Driven Osteoporosis. · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
27.PMID: 36586650 (2023) — Lonicera japonica polysaccharides improve longevity and fitness of Caenorhabditis elegans by activating DAF-16. · International journal of biological macromolecules
28.PMID: 38423033 (2024) — Research Progress of Natural Product Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Therapy. · Planta medica
29.PMID: 37628009 (2023) — Preparation, Antioxidant Activities and Bioactive Components of Kombucha Beverages from Golden-Flower Tea (Camellia petelotii) and Honeysuckle-Flower Tea (Lonicera japonica). · Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
30.PMID: 35401158 (2021) — Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) Suppress SARS-CoV-2 Entry and COVID-19 Related Cytokine Storm in Vitro. · Frontiers in pharmacology