Use of Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flowers) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Dry flower buds immediately after harvest. The temperatures should be tightly controlled: first dry at 30 - 35 °C during 2 hours, then at 40 °C for 5 - 10 hours and finally at 45 - 50 °C during 10h. During drying the flower buds shouldn't be turned around otherwise they'll turn black.
Dosage: 10 - 20g
Main actions according to TCM*: Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Dispels Wind-Heat derived from an External pathogen. Expels Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner. Relieves Carbuncles.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Jin Yin Hua may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Carbuncles Boils Erysipelas Dysentery Pharyngitis Acne Tonsillitis Laryngitis Sore throat
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Deficiency in the Spleen/Stomach when there is Cold or diarrhea. It should be used carefully when there is Qi or Yin Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which Jin Yin Hua is used*
Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin
Source date: 1742 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity. Cools the Blood. Reduces swelling.
Conditions targeted*: Multiple furunclesCarbuncles and others
Jin Yin Hua is a king ingredient in Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Wu Wei Xiao Du Yin, Jin Yin Hua clears Heat and resolves Toxicity from both the Qi and Blood levels. It also resolves swellings. It is sweet and thus has the particular advantage of not damaging the Stomach during the treatment.
Yin Qiao San
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Formula key actions: Disperses Wind Heat. Clears Heat. Resolves Toxicity.
Conditions targeted*: Common coldInfluenza and others
Jin Yin Hua is a king ingredient in Yin Qiao San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Yin Qiao San, Jin Yin Hua acrid, cool, and fragrant. It releases the Exterior, clear Heat from
the Lungs and resolve Toxicity.
Qing Luo Yin
Source date: 1798
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Formula key actions: Resolves Summer-Heat. Clears the Lungs.
Conditions targeted*: HyperthermiaHeatstroke and others
Jin Yin Hua is a king ingredient in Qing Luo Yin. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Qing Luo Yin, Jin Yin Hua relieves Summer-Heat as well as clears Wind, Heat and Dampness, from the collaterals.
Key TCM concepts behind Jin Yin Hua's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Jin Yin Hua belongs to the 'Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Internal Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an Excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity treat the latter while, at the same time, removing infectious toxins from the body. As such they tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category Jin Yin Hua is Cold in nature. This means that Jin Yin Hua typically helps people who have too much 'Heat' in their body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Jin Yin Hua can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Jin Yin Hua also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Jin Yin Hua tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Jin Yin Hua is thought to target the Heart, the Lung and the Stomach. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.
Research on Jin Yin Hua
Loniceroside C, a saponin from Japanese honeysuckle, showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity against mouse ear edema1
Sources:
1. Wie Jong Kwak, Chang Kyun Han, Hyeun Wook Chang, Hyun Pyo Kim, Sam Sik Kang, Kun Ho Son (2003) Loniceroside C, an Antiinflammatory Saponin from Lonicera japonica. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 51: No. 3 p. 333-335
Use of Jin Yin Hua as food
Jin Yin Hua is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Honeysuckle Pound Cake or Honeysuckle syrup.