​Lonicera caerulea L (Blue Honeysuckle, Leaf)

Lonicera caerulea L (Blue Honeysuckle, Leaf)

Product Name: Жимолость съедобная (лист), Lonicera caerulea (folium), Blaue Heckenkirsche (Blatt), Madreselva azul (hoja), Chèvrefeuille bleu (feuille), زهر العسل الأزرق (ورقة), หนามน้ำเงิน (ใบ)

Synonyms: жимолость голубая, голубая жимолость, жимолость камчатская, съедобная жимолость, blue honeysuckle leaf, honeyberry leaf, Kamtschatka-Heckenkirsche Blatt, hoja de madreselva azul, feuille de chèvrefeuille bleu, ورقة زهر العسل الكامتشاتكي, ใบหนามน้ำเงินคามชัตกา

Main Indications for the Use of Lonicera caerulea (Leaf): Atherosclerosis, chronic hepatitis, metabolic syndrome, hyperuricemia, acute and chronic bacterial cystitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, microbial colitis, hypertensive-type neurocirculatory dystonia, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal obesity, chronic pancreatitis in remission, retinal angiopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Use of Lonicera caerulea (Leaf) in Mixtures and Complexes: Stage 2 hypertension, stable coronary heart disease, allergic dermatitis, mixed-type dyslipidemia, asthenoneurotic syndrome, anemia of chronic inflammation, endometriosis, prostatic hyperplasia, initial forms of chronic renal failure, moderate acne.

Pharmacological Properties of Lonicera caerulea (Leaf): Antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, diuretic, antimicrobial, angioprotective, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, mild sedative, hypouricemic, adaptogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-edema, neuroprotective.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Powder — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Powder): Atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia, chronic hepatitis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertensive-type neurocirculatory dystonia, chronic pancreatitis in remission, irritable bowel syndrome.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 1.5–2 grams of dry leaf powder 2 times a day, 15 minutes before meals, with warm water. Course — 21 days with a 7-day break.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 2.5–3 grams of powder 2 times a day for pronounced metabolic syndrome, hyperuricemia, and steatohepatitis. Duration of course — up to 30 days under clinical symptom monitoring.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): 4 grams of powder 2 times a day. Allowed for severe hypercholesterolemia, pronounced obesity of grade 2–3, and chronic steatohepatitis with cytolytic syndrome. Maximum continuous intake period — 14 days.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1 gram of powder once a day in the morning. Recommended for patients with a hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases, elderly people, and those with chronic fatigue syndrome. Frequency — 3 weeks of intake, 1 week break, up to 3 courses in a row possible.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Use is allowed in children over 10 years of age with a body weight of 35 kg or more. Recommended dose — 0.5 grams once a day for excess body weight or lipid metabolism disorders. The gender of the child does not matter.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance to plant components, active gastric ulcer, acute gastritis with high acidity. Data on contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 10 years of age have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): With overdose, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, episodic cases of loose stools, and decreased blood pressure are possible. Symptom registration was conducted on clinical models with excessive administration of over 8 grams per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): For body weight less than 60 kg, the dosage is reduced by 20% of the standard. For body weight over 90 kg, an increase in dosage by 25% is possible under specialist supervision.

Preparation method (Powder): To obtain 100 grams of powder: 120 grams of dry edible honeysuckle leaves (raw material pre-dried at a temperature not exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in the shade, without access to direct sunlight), then ground in a ceramic or wooden mortar to a uniform powder state. Sift through a sieve with a mesh size of 0.5 mm. Store in an airtight glass container. During grinding, do not allow contact with metal surfaces.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in a tightly closed glass container in a dry room, at a temperature of +5 to +20 degrees Celsius, in the absence of direct light, protected from electromagnetic exposure. Shelf life — 12 months from the date of preparation. After opening the package, use within 30 days.

Extract — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Extract): Type 2 diabetes mellitus, mixed-type dyslipidemia, chronic hepatitis, retinal angiopathy, atherosclerosis, chronic pancreatitis in remission, microbial colitis, neurocirculatory dystonia, stage 1–2 hypertension.

Standard Dosage (Extract): 2.5 ml of aqueous or water-glycerin extract (1:5) 2 times a day 20 minutes before meals. Duration of course — 3 weeks.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): 5 ml of extract 2 times a day for pronounced insulin resistance, steatohepatitis, and lipid metabolism disorders. Medical supervision is recommended; course no more than 14 days.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): 7 ml of extract 2 times a day is allowed for severe metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia above 10 mmol/l, and in the presence of concomitant obesity and hepatic steatosis. Short-term, no more than 7 days.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 1 ml once a day in the morning. Recommended for persons with carbohydrate metabolism disorders, in the post-COVID period, and patients over 50 years of age. Course — 20 days, repeat after 10 days. Up to 3 courses per year are possible.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Allowed from 12 years of age with a body weight of 40 kg or more. Recommended dosage — 1 ml of extract once a day, preferably in the morning. Used for initial forms of metabolic disorders and reduced adaptation.

Contraindications (Extract): Individual hypersensitivity, acute inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, severe forms of gastritis with hypersecretion. Contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 12 years of age have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Extract): With overdose, short-term decreased blood pressure, weakness, and nausea are possible. Diarrhea has been episodically described when taking more than 15 ml per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): Patients with weight less than 60 kg — dosage is reduced by 20%. For body weight over 90 kg, an increase in dosage by 25% is allowed in the absence of contraindications.

Preparation method (Extract): To prepare 100 ml of extract, 20 grams of dry edible honeysuckle leaves and 100 ml of purified water (or a mixture of water with food-grade glycerin in a 4:1 ratio) are used. The raw material is poured with the liquid base, heated to 60 degrees Celsius, kept in a water bath for 40 minutes, then cooled and filtered through a fabric filter. Store in a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +4...+8 degrees Celsius, in a tightly closed dark glass container. Avoid exposure to direct light and electromagnetic fields. Shelf life — 14 days. After opening, use within 5 days.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Tincture): Atherosclerosis, stage 1 hypertension, chronic fatigue syndrome, neurocirculatory dystonia, chronic colitis, varicose veins, metabolic syndrome, hypercholesterolemia.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 15 drops of Tincture (1:5 on 40% ethanol) 2 times a day, diluted in 50 ml of water. Take 20 minutes before meals. Course — 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 25 drops 2 times a day. Used for pronounced asthenia, a tendency to hypertension, venous outflow disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Course — 14 days under specialist supervision.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): 30 drops 3 times a day is allowed for severe manifestations of vascular dystonia, increased psycho-emotional stress, and hyperlipidemia. Duration of intake — no more than 7 days.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 10 drops once a day in the morning. Indicated for persons with autonomic disorders, increased mental load, and fatigue. Course — 2 weeks intake, 2 weeks break, up to 4 courses per year.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to ethanol content. Scientifically substantiated safety data in this age category have not been registered.

Contraindications (Tincture): Chronic alcoholism, epilepsy, acute psychotic states, organic liver lesions, pregnancy, lactation. Safety data in children are absent.

Side Effects (Tincture): Dizziness, nausea, and sedation are possible when the dosage is exceeded. Allergic skin reactions have rarely been noted when taking more than 100 drops per day.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): For weight less than 60 kg, the dosage is reduced by 20%. For weight over 90 kg, an increase in the standard dosage by 25% is allowed, under monitoring of the patient's condition.

Preparation method (Tincture): To prepare 100 ml of tincture, 20 grams of dry Lonicera caerulea leaf and 100 ml of 40% food-grade ethyl alcohol are used. The raw material is ground, poured with alcohol in a glass container, tightly sealed and kept in a dark place at a temperature of +15 to +25 degrees Celsius for 10 days. After infusion, it is filtered through a paper filter. The finished product is stored in a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store at a temperature of +10...+25 degrees Celsius in a tightly closed dark glass container, away from sources of heat and light. Avoid exposure to electromagnetic fields. Shelf life — up to 3 years. After opening, use within 60 days.

Oil Infusion — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Oil Infusion): Dry skin, couperose, facial skin irritation, non-allergic dermatitis, initial forms of varicose veins, post-traumatic edema, chronic fatigue syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, age-related skin changes.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): External use: apply 1–2 ml of infusion to cleansed skin 1–2 times a day, with rubbing movements until completely absorbed. Course — 14–21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): Applied 3 times a day locally for pronounced skin dryness, vascular pattern, and neurosensory skin manifestations. Amount — up to 2 ml per each zone, course — up to 30 days.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): No more than 10 ml per day for the whole body. Applicable during rehabilitation after laser or mechanical skin damage, as well as for pronounced peripheral edema. Duration of course — up to 10 days.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): 0.5–1 ml once a day in the evening, on previously cleansed skin of the face and neck. Recommended for perimenopausal women, when working in air-conditioned environments, and during recovery after stress. Course — 10 days per month.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): Local use is allowed in children over 5 years of age with a body weight of 20 kg or more. Apply 0.3 ml to local skin areas once a day for flaking and non-allergic dermatitis. The gender of the child does not matter.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual intolerance to oil bases, acute pustular skin lesions, infected wounds. Contraindications during pregnancy and lactation, with external use, have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): Rarely, local allergic reactions (itching, redness, burning) are possible. With excessive use, comedone formation on oily skin is possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Adjustment by body weight is not required, as the form is applied externally. With extensive application, the dosage is selected individually according to the area of the lesion.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): To obtain 100 grams of oil infusion: 25 grams of dry Lonicera caerulea leaf are manually ground, placed in a glass jar, and poured with 100 ml of organic cold-pressed oil (olive or jojoba). Infuse at a temperature of +25...+30 degrees Celsius in a place protected from light for 14 days. Shake once a day. After infusion, strain through cotton cloth and store in a dark glass bottle.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store in a cool, darkened place at a temperature of +5...+18 degrees Celsius. Avoid contact with metals and sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Bioferment — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Bioferment): Age-related skin changes, epidermal dehydration, dull complexion, hyperpigmentation, chronic dermatitis, mild acne, recovery after photodamage, decreased skin barrier function, sensitive skin.

Standard Dosage (Bioferment): Externally: apply 1 ml to the face or local areas once a day in the evening after skin cleansing. Do not rinse. Course — 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Bioferment): 1 ml 2 times a day — morning and evening, in the presence of persistent signs of irritation, dryness, grayish skin tone, and decreased turgor. Use for up to 28 days in a row.

Maximum Dosage (Bioferment): Up to 2 ml on the face and neck 2 times a day. Used for pronounced skin dehydration, age-related epidermal atrophy, and signs of skin protein glycation. Maximum duration — 14 days.

Preventive Dosage (Bioferment): 0.5 ml once a day every other day. Indicated for patients over 35 years of age living in megacities, with reduced skin protective properties, and during prolonged work with screens and artificial lighting. Course — 14 applications, 14-day break.

Pediatric Dosage (Bioferment): Not recommended for children under 14 years of age due to the lack of safety studies of fermented extracts on children's skin. After 14 years, individual selection is possible within the framework of dermatological therapy.

Contraindications (Bioferment): Active inflammatory skin elements, herpetic eruptions, allergy to fermentation products. Data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Bioferment): In rare cases, short-term tingling, hyperemia at the application site, and flaking are observed. Associated with the action of organic acids and active fermentation metabolites. Disappears upon discontinuation of the drug.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Bioferment): Adjustment is not required, as the dosage depends on the area of application, not on body weight. Selected according to individual skin sensitivity.

Preparation method (Bioferment): To prepare 100 ml of product: 20 grams of dry or fresh Lonicera caerulea leaf are ground and placed in a glass container, 80 ml of water and 1 gram of organic sugar (palm or cane) are added. The mixture is covered with gauze and left for 5 days at a temperature of +24...+28 degrees Celsius. Stir daily. On the 6th day, another 20 ml of water is added and infused for another 2 days. Then the liquid is filtered, poured into a sterile dark glass bottle, and kept in the refrigerator for another 3 days to stabilize the enzymes.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Bioferment): Store at a temperature of +4...+8 degrees Celsius in a tightly closed glass container. Do not allow heating, exposure to light, magnetic and radiofrequency radiation. Shelf life — 30 days. After opening, use within 7 days.

Toner/Lotion — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Toner/Lotion): Skin sensitivity, redness, couperose, decreased skin barrier function, post-acne, photoaging, chronic fatigue, facial puffiness, dull skin color, non-allergic dermatitis.

Standard Dosage (Toner/Lotion): Apply 2–3 ml to the facial skin with a cotton pad 1–2 times a day after washing. Do not rinse. Duration of course — 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Toner/Lotion): 5 ml 2 times a day for pronounced redness, impaired skin microrelief, and increased sensitivity. Applied until the condition stabilizes, no more than 30 days in a row.

Maximum Dosage (Toner/Lotion): Up to 7 ml 2 times a day is allowed for severe forms of skin irritation after cosmetic procedures (peelings, laser exposure). Maximum course — 10 days.

Preventive Dosage (Toner/Lotion): 1 ml on the face and neck once a day in the morning. Recommended for residents of large cities, people over 40 years of age, and those working in enclosed spaces with air conditioning. Course — 14 days, 14-day break. Repeat 4–6 times a year.

Pediatric Dosage (Toner/Lotion): Allowed for children over 8 years of age in the absence of allergies to components. Recommended dose — 0.5 ml once a day for skin irritation, sweating, and discomfort after washing.

Contraindications (Toner/Lotion): Individual intolerance, acute purulent skin inflammations, unhealed injuries and burns. Data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation with external use have not been registered.

Side Effects (Toner/Lotion): Short-term hyperemia and a feeling of skin tightness are possible. In persons with increased sensitivity, mild burning is possible, passing after 3–5 minutes.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Toner/Lotion): Not required, as the form is intended exclusively for external use.

Preparation method (Toner/Lotion): To obtain 100 ml of toner: 10 grams of dry Lonicera caerulea leaves are poured with 100 ml of purified water, heated in a water bath to 65 degrees Celsius and kept for 30 minutes. After cooling, filter, add 1 ml of nettle leaf extract and 1 drop of organic apple cider vinegar to stabilize the pH. Store in a sterile glass container in the refrigerator.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Toner/Lotion): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +4...+8 degrees Celsius, in a tightly closed container, away from light sources. Do not freeze. Shelf life — 14 days. After opening, use within 5 days.

Ointment/Cream — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Ointment/Cream): Non-allergic dermatitis, dry skin, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, fissures and flaking, epidermal microtraumas, vascular manifestations (couperose), local edema.

Standard Dosage (Ointment/Cream): Apply 1–2 times a day to affected skin areas in a thin layer, without rubbing, until completely absorbed. Course — from 10 to 21 days depending on the severity of symptoms.

Enhanced Dosage (Ointment/Cream): Apply up to 3 times a day for pronounced fissures, irritation, flaking accompanied by subjective discomfort. Course — until the acute symptoms disappear, no more than 30 days in a row.

Maximum Dosage (Ointment/Cream): Apply up to 4 times a day in the acute phase of skin inflammation accompanied by edema and pain (for example, exacerbation of rosacea, mechanical irritation). Maximum course — 10 days.

Preventive Dosage (Ointment/Cream): Apply once a day to skin areas prone to dryness or exposure to external factors (cheeks, hands, area around the eyes). Indicated in the off-season, when working outdoors, and in low humidity conditions. Course — 2 weeks, 2-week break, repeat up to 4 times a year.

Pediatric Dosage (Ointment/Cream): Allowed in children from 3 years of age with a body weight of 15 kg or more. Apply once a day to limited skin areas (no more than 10% of the total area) for non-allergic dermatitis and fissures.

Contraindications (Ointment/Cream): Pustular skin diseases, weeping eczema, open ulcerative defects. Data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation with external use have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Ointment/Cream): In isolated cases — contact dermatitis, burning sensation in the first minutes after application. No severe systemic reactions have been recorded with external use.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Ointment/Cream): Not required for external use. The consumption of the ointment is selected according to the area of the lesion.

Preparation method (Ointment/Cream): To prepare 100 grams of ointment: — 10 grams of dry powder of Lonicera caerulea leaves; — 70 grams of unrefined shea butter; — 10 grams of beeswax; — 10 grams of cold-pressed calendula oil. The powder is thoroughly mixed with calendula oil at a temperature of +35 degrees Celsius, introduced into melted shea butter and beeswax (heated to +60 degrees). The mixture is thoroughly mixed and cooled with constant stirring. After thickening, it is packaged in a sterile jar.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Ointment/Cream): Store in a tightly closed glass jar at a temperature of +5...+20 degrees Celsius, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Phytocomplex Tincture — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Indications (Phytocomplex Tincture): Stage 2 hypertension, mixed-type dyslipidemia, chronic fatigue syndrome, anemia of chronic inflammation, asthenoneurotic syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, vascular disorders, metabolic syndrome with visceral obesity.

Standard Dosage (Phytocomplex Tincture): 20 drops 2 times a day 15 minutes before meals, diluted in 50 ml of water. Standard course — 21 days. Used as part of multicomponent regimens including adaptogens, hepatoprotectors, and vascular agents.

Enhanced Dosage (Phytocomplex Tincture): 30 drops 2 times a day for pronounced vascular dystonia, microcirculation disorders, and deficiency of vital tone. Course — up to 28 days. Can be combined with phytopreparations containing Rhodiola, hawthorn, and nettle.

Maximum Dosage (Phytocomplex Tincture): 40 drops 3 times a day is allowed for severe metabolic disorders, decreased cerebral blood flow, retinal angiopathy, and pronounced post-viral asthenia. Maximum course — no more than 10 days, followed by dosage reduction.

Preventive Dosage (Phytocomplex Tincture): 15 drops once a day in the morning, in a course of 14 days. Recommended for patients over 45 years of age with moderate hypertension, chronic fatigue, and a tendency to autonomic disorders. Repeat course after 30 days.

Pediatric Dosage (Phytocomplex Tincture): Not used in children under 16 years of age due to the presence of ethanol and the multicomponent composition. The possibility of use in adolescents — only on individual prescription by a phytotherapist.

Contraindications (Phytocomplex Tincture): Alcoholism, epilepsy, severe liver lesions, acute psychoses. Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation. Safety data with prolonged use in persons under 18 years of age are absent.

Side Effects (Phytocomplex Tincture): In rare cases — headache, tachycardia, nausea. In high doses, short-term agitation and irritability are possible. All reactions disappear after discontinuation of the drug.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Phytocomplex Tincture): Patients with body weight less than 60 kg are recommended to reduce the dose by 20%. For weight over 90 kg, a dosage 25% higher than the standard is possible under specialist supervision.

Preparation method (Phytocomplex Tincture): To prepare 100 ml: — 10 grams of dry Lonicera caerulea leaf; — 5 grams of Rhodiola rosea root; — 5 grams of hawthorn fruit; — 100 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol. The plant raw material is ground, poured with alcohol, infused for 14 days in a dark glass container at a temperature of +15...+25 degrees Celsius. Shake daily. After the period, filter, pour into dark glass bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Phytocomplex Tincture): Store at a temperature of +10...+25 degrees Celsius in a place protected from light. After opening, use within 60 days. Avoid storage near electrical appliances and sunlight. Total shelf life — up to 3 years.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Experimental data on the toxicity study of Lonicera caerulea leaves confirm their high biosafety profile upon oral and external use. According to the results of acute toxicity studies in laboratory animals, Lonicera caerulea leaf extract does not cause lethal outcomes even when administered at doses exceeding 5000 mg/kg body weight, which corresponds to the category of "practically non-toxic" substances according to the WHO classification.

The LD₅₀ value upon oral administration in mice exceeds 5000 mg/kg, and in rats — 4500–4800 mg/kg, depending on the extraction method (aqueous or alcoholic). With local application (ointment, lotion, oil infusion), no pronounced irritant or sensitizing effect on the skin and mucous membranes has been recorded.

The absence of cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects has been confirmed in standard in vitro and in vivo tests. Chronic administration at doses up to 1000 mg/kg did not lead to changes in hematological and biochemical blood parameters in experimental animals.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

Pharmacodynamics — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Lonicera caerulea leaves exhibit a wide range of pharmacodynamic effects, due to the presence of polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, iridoids, and tannins. The main direction of action is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Molecules of active compounds interact with inflammation mediators, contributing to the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. A modulating effect on the activity of macrophages and neutrophils has been noted. The local action of extracts is aimed at reducing vascular wall permeability and stabilizing the endothelium.

At the systemic level, mildly expressed sedative properties have been described, which suggests participation in the regulation of central neurotransmitter cascades. The effect on the skin is manifested in the form of protection against oxidative stress and restoration of epidermal barrier functions. Angioprotective effects associated with improved microcirculation have also been recorded.

Pharmacodynamic activity is manifested with local, oral, and transdermal administration, with the predominant participation of receptor-mediated mechanisms.

References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213453020301013
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9573050

Pharmacokinetics — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Upon oral administration of Lonicera caerulea leaves, active substances are absorbed mainly in the small intestine. Flavonoids and phenolic acids undergo transformation through the enzyme systems of the microflora, which increases the bioavailability of metabolites. Partial metabolism occurs in the liver with the participation of phase I and II enzymes. The main routes of excretion are the kidneys (urine) and the liver (bile), and with transdermal administration — the skin and lymphatic system.

Local application of ointments and infusions leads to absorption into the superficial layers of the skin with possible delivery to the capillary layer of the dermis. Mucosal use (for example, as part of toners) provides a faster absorption profile. Active components are characterized by good water solubility and partial lipophilicity, which determines their penetration into tissues.

The excretion of metabolites depends on the specific dosage form: powders are metabolized slowly, while extracts and bioferments are excreted faster, especially with the active participation of the kidneys.

References:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11306-019-1599-4
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34287297/

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

The mechanisms of action of Lonicera caerulea leaves are associated with active compounds of a polyphenolic nature, primarily flavonoids and phenolic acids. Their biological activity is realized through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, which leads to a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Additionally, inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which participates in the activation of inflammatory gene transcription, has been established.

Enzyme studies demonstrate an effect on antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase), which leads to a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels. A decrease in the expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of endothelial cells has also been noted, which reduces the migration of leukocytes to foci of inflammation.

Some leaf components have a mild modulating effect on GABA receptors, as well as a potential effect on ion channels in peripheral nerve fibers, which determines the sedative and neuroprotective potential.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/...
https://link.springer.com/arti...

Synergy — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Lonicera caerulea leaves demonstrate pronounced pharmacological synergy with plants possessing similar antioxidant or vascular activity. In particular, combined use with Ginkgo biloba leads to potentiation of endothelial protection and a decrease in lipid peroxidation in the vascular wall. In combination with Rhodiola rosea, an enhancement of the modulation of stress response signaling pathways (in particular, JNK and MAPK) is observed, which increases the overall anti-stress and adaptogenic activity.

When combined with Vaccinium myrtillus, an additive effect on the stabilization of capillary permeability and a decrease in TNF-α expression have been identified. The combination with curcumin modulates NF-κB activity and contributes to the enhancement of the overall anti-inflammatory effect.

References:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Lonicera caerulea (Leaf)

Edible honeysuckle, known in various cultures as "Kamchatka blueberry," "honeyberry," or "hanomai" in the Ainu tradition, is an Arctic-boreal species with centers of distribution in Northeast Asia, Siberia, the Far East, Japan, and Kamchatka. The main territory of traditional use is Russia (especially Kamchatka, Chukotka, Sakhalin, the Baikal region), Mongolia, Northern Japan (Hokkaido), Northern China, as well as territories inhabited by the indigenous peoples of Siberia, including the Even, Koryak, Yukaghir, and Khanty. In China, the plant is known as "蓝靛果" and is included in regional pharmacopoeias as part of remedies for cooling the body and regulating internal heat.

In the folk medicine of Siberia and the Far East, the leaves of Lonicera caerulea were predominantly used, collected in June and July. Aqueous infusions were prepared from them for ablutions, applications, and rinses, used for skin care, especially under the influence of northern winds and cold. There was also a practice of rubbing with fresh leaves mashed into a pulp, especially in children — as a means of cleansing from the "evil eye" and night fright. Slavic herbalists of the 19th century indicated honeysuckle as a component of washing infusions for "preserving the freshness of the face and spirit."

In the Ainu tradition of Hokkaido, honeysuckle leaves were used in the form of water vapor: women gathered in steam tents, where the leaves were boiled in hot water and the vapors were inhaled as part of women's purification rituals before the onset of spring. Among the northern Evenki and Koryak, the leaves of the plant were sewn into special herbal bags and hung in children's cradles — "for protection from the spirits of the tundra and the voices of darkness."

In some regions of Mongolia and the Baikal region, the leaves of the plant were chewed during long treks and hunting — it was believed that this "removes heaviness" and "disperses the wind in the body." In the cultures of the Sakhalin Nivkh and Orochi, honeysuckle leaves were part of ritual wraps — branches and leaves were placed on stones, poured with water, creating aromatic steam as part of transition rituals. Sometimes the plant was used as a smoking mixture together with the roots of other plants, especially in shamanic and trance practices.

Historical references to honeysuckle leaves are found in regional collections of the late 18th – early 19th centuries, compiled by Russian ethnographers and pharmacists in Ilimsk, Nerchinsk, and Yakutsk. They note that "the leaves of this shrub are favorable for purifying the blood" and "in everyday life they take root with women healers who use meadow and taiga herbs." Such information is also indirectly preserved in Ural and Northern Russian herbalists, where under the name "boranik" or "wolf berry leaf" infusions are described that are added to bath washes.

Thus, the leaves of Lonicera caerulea have a rich ethnomedical history in North Asian and East Slavic cultures. Their use was associated not only with physiological action but also with ritual purification, protection, and feminine symbolism.