Honeysuckle
White Japanese Honeysuckle Flowers- image by Kanoe
Japanese Honeysuckle- Lonicera japonica
Japanese Honeysuckle was introduced to North America in the 1800’s. It is an invasive species & is an abundant resource in the South. Honeysuckle prefers to grow in disturbed habitats & forest edges. It is an evergreen woody vine-like plant with 2 leaves per node along the stem. The stem does not have spines, prickles, or thorns & is spread by seeds. Honeysuckle flowers grow in very fragrant masses that start off white & then turn yellow as they age. The fruit or berries are red & are consumed by birds but are toxic to humans.
Warning: Some species of Honeysuckle are poisonous!
Honeysuckle growing in the forest- image by Kanoe
Honeysuckle’s Many Uses
Harvest the flowers or leaves for medicinal & culinary use. The flowers can be used in tea, syrups, & tinctures. The flowers can also be eaten raw, & children love sucking the nectar out from the bottom of the flower. Honeysuckle contains magnesium, Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, & is a rich source of Quercetin.
Honeysuckle vines can be used to weave baskets. The stems can be broken & rubbed onto bug bites, stings, or skin rash. The bark is used for kidney stones, liver problems, diuretic issues, & gout. The leaves can be used for a mouthwash & to soothe a sore throat.
Child holding a handful of Honeysuckle flowers- image by Cori
Honeysuckle Folklore
If Honeysuckle grew around the entrance to a home, it was believed that it prevented a witch from entering or would bring good luck. If Honeysuckle grew well in your garden, it was believed that you would be protected from evil. In Ireland, Honeysuckle was known to have power against bad spirits, & it was used in a drink to cure the effects of evil eye.
The Honeysuckle has long been a symbol of happiness, joy, optimism, fidelity, affection, devotion & everlasting bonds. Honeysuckle flowers emit feelings of positivity & can help heal negative emotions such as anxiety & depression. Gifted to someone, Honeysuckle can represent gratitude & appreciation.
Cheerful Honeysuckle flower- image by Kanoe
Honeysuckle- Herbal Uses
Honeysuckle helps with nausea, colds, headaches, joint pain & swelling, migraines, stomachache, flu, digestion, cleansing out toxins, ulcers, arthritis, congestion, fever, insect bites & stings, immune booster, rash, dry skin, boils, diabetes, arthritis, & urinary disorders.
Honeysuckle Flower Essence helps people who have trouble moving on from things that happened in the past. It can help with mindfulness & being more present in your life, help give support to those grieving, & it can help people living in a new place who are feeling homesick.
Sources:
Lonicera japonica — Japanese honeysuckle
Grow Your Own Medicine Part 4: Honeysuckle Uses
Amazing Honeysuckle Flower Meaning and Symbolism
Folklore of the hedgerow-Honeysuckle. Féithleann.