​Lonicera caerulea (Blue Honeysuckle), Berry

Lonicera caerulea (Blue Honeysuckle, Berry)

Product Name: Жимолость съедобная, Lonicera caerulea, Essbare Heckenkirsche, Madreselva comestible, Chèvrefeuille comestible, زهر العسل الصالح للأكل, หม่อนน้ำเงิน

Synonyms: жимолость голубая, жимолость синяя, медовая ягода, синие ягоды тундры, синяя жимолость, edible honeysuckle, blue honeysuckle, honeyberry, Haskap, essbare Heckenkirsche, blaue Heckenkirsche, Honigbeere, madreselva azul, madreselva comestible, baya de miel, chèvrefeuille bleu, chèvrefeuille comestible, baie de miel, زهر العسل الأزرق, توت العسل, หม่อนฟ้า, ลูกหม่อนน้ำเงิน, ลูกเบอร์รี่น้ำผึ้ง

Main Indications for the Use of Lonicera caerulea: Atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic hepatitis, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, iron deficiency anemia, obesity, prediabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, herpetic infection, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Use of Lonicera caerulea in Mixtures and Complexes: Cerebrovascular insufficiency, anxiety disorders, depression, climacteric syndrome, osteoarthritis, eczema, psoriasis, bronchial asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, autoimmune thyroiditis, dyslipidemia, chronic pancreatitis, polycystic ovary syndrome.

Pharmacological Properties of Lonicera caerulea: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, angioprotective, vasodilatory, cardioprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, anticoagulant, adaptogenic.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Lonicera caerulea

Powder — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Powder): Atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, prediabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, iron deficiency anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Standard Dosage (Powder): 3 grams of berry powder 2 times a day, 30 minutes before meals, with warm water (not above 40 °C). Course of use — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 5 grams of berry powder 3 times a day for pronounced hyperlipidemia, chronic hepatitis, grade 2–3 obesity, and initial-stage dementia. Duration of course — 45 days, with the possibility of repetition after a 2-week break.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): Up to 7 grams of berry powder 3 times a day, exclusively under medical supervision. Used in conditions of persistent resistance to therapy in patients with pronounced metabolic syndrome, stage III hypertension, and circulatory encephalopathy.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 1.5–2 grams of powder once a day, in the morning. Recommended for patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases, physical inactivity, type 2 diabetes in history, and in the age group from 45 years. Frequency of intake — 20 days quarterly.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Use is allowed from 6 years of age with a body weight of 20 kg or more. Recommended dosage — 0.5 grams once a day, on an empty stomach. For children from 10 years of age and body weight over 30 kg — up to 1 gram per day.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance. Acute gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcer in the acute phase. Contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 6 years of age have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): When exceeding the dosage, diarrhea, abdominal colic, and decreased blood pressure are possible. All side effects are reversible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): Patients with body weight less than 60 kg are recommended to reduce the standard dose by 25%. Patients with body weight over 90 kg may increase the dosage to the upper limit of the standard or enhanced regimen.

Preparation method (Powder): Ingredients: ripe honeysuckle berries — 1000 grams. Wash the berries in running water, dry on a fabric tray for 4 hours at room temperature in the shade. Dry in a dehydrator or drying cabinet at a temperature of 38 °C for 36 hours. Grind in a ceramic or glass mill to a uniform powder. Pass through a 0.25 mm fraction sieve. Package in an airtight glass container with a desiccant.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in a tightly closed dark glass container, at a temperature of +8 to +20 °C, in a dry place protected from light and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 12 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Extract — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Extract): Vascular dementia, diabetic retinopathy, coronary heart disease, chronic hepatitis, neurodegenerative disorders, arterial hypertension, Alzheimer's disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, prediabetes.

Standard Dosage (Extract): Extract 1:5 (in terms of dry raw material) — 5 milliliters 2 times a day, 20 minutes before meals. Course of use — 30 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): 7–10 milliliters 2–3 times a day for pronounced retinal angiopathy, circulatory encephalopathy, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and cognitive impairment. Duration of course — 45 days, repetition allowed after 3 weeks.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): Up to 15 milliliters 3 times a day in conditions of intensive therapy for vascular catastrophes (by doctor's prescription), in the complex therapy of atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative processes.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 3 milliliters of extract once a day, in the morning. Recommended for patients with a hereditary risk of stroke, cognitive decline, patients over 50 years of age, and also for seasonal asthenia. Preventive course — 20 days every 2 months.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Use is allowed from 8 years of age with a body weight of 25 kg or more. Initial dosage — 1 milliliter once a day, orally, before meals. For children from 12 years — up to 2 milliliters 2 times a day.

Contraindications (Extract): Hypersensitivity, active peptic ulcer, acute pancreatitis. Contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children under 8 years of age have not been scientifically registered, therefore use requires medical supervision.

Side Effects (Extract): In rare cases: headache, mild dizziness, dyspeptic phenomena when recommended doses are exceeded. Symptoms are reversible after discontinuation.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): For body weight less than 50 kg, the dosage should be reduced by 20%. For body weight over 90 kg, an increase in dose to the maximum preventive is possible.

Preparation method (Extract): Ingredients: honeysuckle berries — 100 grams, purified water — 400 milliliters. Pour hot (not boiling) water at a temperature of 75 °C over the dry or fresh-frozen raw material. Simmer in a water bath under a lid for 40 minutes, then infuse at room temperature for another 6 hours. Squeeze, filter through a double layer of linen, bring the volume to 100 milliliters. Do not use metal utensils. Pour into sterile glass bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +4...+8 °C in a dark glass container. Avoid exposure to light, heat, and electromagnetic sources. Shelf life — up to 10 days. After opening — no more than 5 days.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Tincture): Atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, chronic gastritis with reduced secretion, infectious tonsillitis, herpetic infection, sluggish viral diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): 20 drops of tincture on 30% ethanol, 2 times a day, 15 minutes before meals, dissolved in 50 ml of water. Duration of course — 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 25–30 drops 3 times a day for prolonged viral diseases, chronic herpetic infection, prolonged forms of tonsillitis, and difficult detoxification in patients with pronounced fatigue. Course — up to 30 days.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Up to 35 drops 3 times a day in conditions of short-term use (up to 10 days) for pronounced intoxication, viral load complicated by herpetic infection. Only under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 15 drops once a day in the morning. Recommended for recurrent viral diseases, in the inter-epidemic season, and for patients with reduced immune system activity. Preventive course — 14 days quarterly.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Not recommended for children under 12 years of age. From 12 years — no more than 5 drops once a day, diluted in warm water and under strict adult supervision. For weight over 40 kg, an increase in dosage to 10 drops once a day is allowed.

Contraindications (Tincture): Chronic alcoholism, liver diseases in the decompensation stage, epilepsy, children under 12 years of age. Contraindications during pregnancy have not been scientifically registered, but the use of alcoholic forms is not recommended.

Side Effects (Tincture): When the dose is exceeded, dizziness, nausea, tremor, and sleep disturbances are possible. All reactions are stopped after discontinuation and do not require specific therapy.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): Patients with body weight less than 55 kg are recommended to reduce the standard dosage by 25%. For body weight over 85 kg, an increase in dosage by 20% is allowed in conditions of a preventive or short course.

Preparation method (Tincture): Ingredients: fresh honeysuckle berries — 100 grams, 70% food-grade ethanol — 250 milliliters. Mash the berries with a wooden spoon, place in a dark glass container, pour with alcohol. Infuse in a dark, cool place for 14 days, shaking daily. Upon completion — strain through a fabric filter, pour into dropper bottles. The finished tincture should be dark ruby in color, without sediment.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store at a temperature of +8 to +18 °C in a dark glass container, away from light and heating appliances. Shelf life — up to 24 months. After opening the package — use within 45 days.

Oil Infusion — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Oil Infusion): Skin xerosis, eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, perioral dermatitis, age-related skin changes, hyperpigmentation, scar changes, superficial vascular networks.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): External use 1–2 times a day, applying a thin layer to cleansed skin of the face or body. For course care — at least 21 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): 3 times a day locally for exacerbations of eczema, itching, flaking, as well as in programs of intensive recovery after peels, first-degree burns, and postmenopausal skin dryness. Course — up to 30 days.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Up to 5 applications per day on limited areas of the body for severe dryness, hyperkeratosis, fissures, as well as in recovery protocols after dermatological interventions.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): Once a day, preferably in the evening, for patients with thin, sensitive, mature skin. Suitable for a tendency to dehydration and for the prevention of seasonal flaking. Apply in courses of 15 days with a monthly interval.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): External use is allowed from 3 years of age with a body weight of 15 kg or more. A thin layer once a day for irritation, dryness, and fissures, especially in the winter period. Safe for both sexes.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual intolerance. Do not apply to open wound surfaces. Data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation have not been registered. In children under 3 years of age, use only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): With hypersensitivity, local reactions are possible: redness, itching, edema. In isolated cases — contact dermatitis with prolonged use on sensitive skin.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Dosage adjustment is not required. The volume of application depends on the area of the lesion, not on body weight.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): Ingredients: dried honeysuckle berries — 20 grams, cold-pressed sesame oil — 100 grams. Pre-grind the berries, pour with oil in a glass jar, seal tightly. Infuse in a water bath at a temperature of 40 °C for 3 hours, then keep at room temperature for 7 days in a dark place. Strain through gauze, store in a dark glass bottle. Volume of finished product — about 90 grams.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store at a temperature of +5 to +18 °C, away from direct light and heat. Avoid exposure to electromagnetic sources. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Bioferment from Berry Pulp — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, dull complexion, seborrheic dermatitis, acne, age-related wrinkles, superficial keratoses, tendency to hyperkeratosis, clogged pores, weakened local skin immunity.

Standard Dosage (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Applied externally once a day, to previously cleansed skin, in a thin layer. Exposure time — 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water. Course — 10–14 procedures with an interval of 1 day.

Enhanced Dosage (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Daily application for 14 days, in combination with thermal masks (up to 37 °C) to enhance skin permeability. Used for pronounced hyperpigmentation, comedonal acne, and age-related skin changes of grade II–III.

Maximum Dosage (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): 2 times a day for pronounced seborrhea, acne, and significant keratinization disorders. Use no more than 7 days in a row, then take a 5-day break.

Preventive Dosage (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Once a week for 2 months. Suitable for adolescents with oily skin, women during hormonal fluctuations, and patients with physical inactivity and reduced skin metabolic processes.

Pediatric Dosage (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): From 12 years of age, when indicated (oily seborrhea, acne, post-acne). Once every 3 days, exposure — no more than 10 minutes. Use is possible for both boys and girls.

Contraindications (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Open wounds, eczema in the acute phase, active herpetic eruptions, individual intolerance. Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation due to the lack of clinical data.

Side Effects (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Short-term redness, mild burning, and a feeling of skin tightness are possible. When the frequency of application is exceeded — contact dermatitis, flaking.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Adjustment is not required. The volume of application depends on the area of the treated zone, not on body weight.

Preparation method (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Ingredients: fresh berry pulp — 50 grams, spring water — 50 milliliters, fermented papaya extract — 5 grams, acacia honey — 5 grams. Mix the pulp with water, bring to a paste-like mass. Add fermented papaya extract, mix thoroughly. Introduce honey, leave for fermentation at a temperature of 26 °C for 48 hours in a glass container under a fabric lid. Cool the finished mass to +8 °C, store in the refrigerator.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Bioferment from Berry Pulp): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +4 to +8 °C, in a tightly closed glass container. Protect from light and electromagnetic fields. Shelf life — 14 days. After opening, use within 5 days.

Cosmetic Peeling Mask — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Acne, hyperkeratosis, enlarged pores, photodamage of the skin, pigmented spots, initial signs of aging, dull complexion, decreased elasticity, uneven skin microrelief.

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Apply once every 3 days, in a thin layer to the face, neck, or décolleté area. Exposure time — 10–12 minutes. Rinse with cool water. Course — 6 procedures.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Every 2 days, for 10 days. Used for pronounced skin porosity, grade I–II acne, photoaging, and pigmented spots. The mask can be combined with mild stimulation (warm towel, compress).

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Daily use for 5 days, exclusively under the supervision of a specialist cosmetologist. Used for dense hyperkeratotic skin, pronounced seborrheic imbalance, and pigmentation disorders.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Once a week. Suitable for adolescents, patients with combination skin, and persons over 35 years of age in programs of gentle correction of age-related changes. Course — 4 weeks, then a break.

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): From 10 years of age, only in the presence of acne or oily seborrhea. No more than once every 5 days, with an exposure of no more than 7 minutes. Do not use in the presence of inflammatory elements and sensitive skin.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Open inflammatory elements, couperose, rosacea, herpetic infection in the active stage, individual intolerance. During pregnancy and lactation, no restrictions have been identified, but a sensitivity test is required.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Rarely — a tingling sensation, transient redness. With excessive use — irritation, flaking, temporary hypersensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Adjustment is not required. Application is determined exclusively by the area of the treated zone.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Ingredients: lyophilized berry powder — 15 grams, pink clay — 30 grams, aloe vera juice — 20 grams, sage hydrolate — 35 milliliters. Mix the dry components until homogeneous, then slowly introduce the liquid ingredients, stirring with a wooden spatula. The mass should be creamy, without lumps. Leave at room temperature for 30 minutes for stabilization. Package in dark glass jars.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Peeling Mask): Store in an airtight dark glass container, at a temperature of +4 to +10 °C. Avoid exposure to direct light and heat. Shelf life — up to 21 days. After opening, use within 7 days.

Body Wash (Liquid Soap or Cleansing Milk) — Lonicera caerulea

Indications (Body Wash): Skin xerosis, increased sensitivity, itching, micro-inflammations, impaired skin barrier, dullness and dehydration of body skin, decreased local immunity, tendency to atopy, dermatitis, and folliculitis.

Standard Dosage (Body Wash): Apply 1–2 times a day during water procedures. Volume of product — 5–8 ml for the whole body. Rinse with warm water, avoiding contact with eyes. Course — at least 30 days with regular use.

Enhanced Dosage (Body Wash): Up to 3 times a day for pronounced dryness, flaking, during rehabilitation after aggressive cosmetic procedures, first-degree sunburns, and symptoms of seborrheic dermatitis or folliculitis.

Maximum Dosage (Body Wash): Up to 4 times a day, short-term (no more than 7 days), in conditions of increased sweating, climate stress, after a sauna or exposure to sea water.

Preventive Dosage (Body Wash): Once a day, in the evening. Recommended during periods of seasonal decrease in air humidity, with a tendency to eczema, atopy, and skin allergic reactions. Suitable for all ages, including elderly patients.

Pediatric Dosage (Body Wash): Allowed from 3 years of age. Volume — 1–2 ml for the body, no more than once a day. Use a hypoallergenic formula without essential oils. Applicable for both boys and girls.

Contraindications (Body Wash): Individual hypersensitivity. Do not use for weeping forms of dermatitis and active fungal skin lesions. Data on contraindications during pregnancy and lactation have not been registered.

Side Effects (Body Wash): Possible: a feeling of skin tightness, rare cases of contact irritation with increased sensitivity to components. Side effects are completely reversible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Body Wash): The volume of application depends on the area of the skin, not on body weight. Dosage adjustment is not required.

Preparation method (Body Wash): Ingredients: aqueous extract of honeysuckle berries — 40 milliliters, soap root (decyl glucoside) — 30 grams, grape seed oil — 10 grams, vegetable glycerin — 10 grams, lavender essential oil — 1 gram, guar gum — 0.5 grams, chamomile hydrolate — 8.5 milliliters. All components should be at room temperature. Mix the extract and hydrolate, add the soap base and mix until homogeneous. Introduce glycerin and gum. Add oil and essential oil last. Shake the finished product, leave for 12 hours in the refrigerator before use.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Body Wash): Store in an airtight plastic or glass container at a temperature of +5 to +20 °C. Avoid exposure to direct light, sharp temperature fluctuations, and EMI exposure. Shelf life — up to 3 months. After opening, use within 30 days.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Lonicera caerulea

According to toxicological studies, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of edible honeysuckle berries (Lonicera caerulea) are characterized by extremely low acute toxicity. In experiments on laboratory mice and rats, it was established that oral administration of lyophilized extract at doses up to 2000 mg/kg body weight does not cause lethal outcomes, clinically significant organ function disorders, or provoke toxicohistological changes in tissues. The calculated LD₅₀ value (oral) exceeds 5000 mg/kg, which corresponds to toxicity class V — "practically non-toxic" according to the GHS classification.

Studies have also not revealed mutagenic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects with chronic administration of berry extract at doses up to 1000 mg/kg over 90 days. Biochemical parameters of the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular system in experimental animals remained within the physiological norm.

Thus, Lonicera caerulea berries, both fresh and in the form of standardized extracts and powders, demonstrate a high biosafety profile provided that therapeutic dosages are observed.

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

Pharmacodynamics — Lonicera caerulea

Edible honeysuckle exhibits a wide range of pharmacodynamic effects, due to the high content of anthocyanins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and vitamins. The active components act primarily on the vascular, nervous, immune, and cutaneous systems, demonstrating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, angioprotective, and neuromodulatory activity. At the systemic level, berry extracts contribute to the stabilization of cell membranes, reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators. The ability of biologically active substances to suppress lipid peroxidation, activate endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, and modulate the expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules has been confirmed. At the cellular level, honeysuckle affects the activity of macrophages, neutrophils, and endothelial cells, providing a reduction in the inflammatory response and improvement of microcirculation. Some of the compounds act through receptor-signaling cascades, including NF-κB and MAPK, ensuring the regulation of inflammatory gene transcription. Mild sedative properties, realized primarily through GABAergic transmission, have also been identified.

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

Pharmacokinetics — Lonicera caerulea

The biologically active substances of honeysuckle berries, including anthocyanins and flavonoids, undergo partial absorption in the small intestine upon oral administration, with the participation of transport proteins. Some of the compounds are metabolized by the intestinal microflora to phenolic metabolites with higher bioavailability. After absorption, the active components undergo hepatic transformation with the formation of glucuronides and sulfated forms. Tissue distribution depends on their lipophilicity, with predominant accumulation noted in the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels. Upon transdermal administration (for example, as part of oil forms or cosmetic products), penetration is limited to the superficial layers of the skin; however, biofermented preparations demonstrate increased permeability. The main routes of excretion are with urine and bile, in the form of conjugates. Some hydrophilic components are rapidly excreted by the kidneys without significant metabolic transformation. Accumulation in tissues is observed mainly with course use of high-concentration extracts.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Lonicera caerulea

The pharmacological activity of honeysuckle berries is explained by the action of a complex of polyphenolic compounds, primarily anthocyanidins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin), capable of inhibiting the activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, which is involved in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). In in vitro and in vivo studies, it has been shown that berry extracts suppress the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes, contributing to a reduction in the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Their effect on antioxidant defense has also been established: active molecules capture free radicals, activate endogenous enzymes (SOD, GPx), and stabilize mitochondrial membranes. Modulation of MAPK and JAK/STAT signaling cascades has been identified, which contributes to a reduction in inflammatory and apoptotic activity. At the level of the nervous system, activation of GABA-A receptors and an effect on BDNF expression are possible, providing a mild neuroprotective and adaptogenic effect. In addition, the anti-adhesive effect of anthocyanins on the vascular endothelium and their ability to reduce ICAM-1 expression have been shown.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/p...
https://link.springer.com/arti...
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.10...

Synergy — Lonicera caerulea

Pharmacological synergy between honeysuckle berry extract and citrus bioflavonoids has been proven, manifested in an increase in antioxidant and angioprotective activity in vitro. When used together with green tea polyphenols, additive inhibition of oxidative stress and enhanced endothelial protection are observed. In combination with curcumin and resveratrol, honeysuckle demonstrates potentiation of anti-inflammatory action through co-inhibition of the NF-κB cascade. Ginseng saponins enhance the antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties of honeysuckle anthocyanins with systemic use. The nature of the interaction is cellular and tissue-specific, predominantly modulating.

Reference: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Lonicera caerulea

Edible honeysuckle is traditionally distributed in the northern and temperate-cold regions of Eurasia, covering the natural zones of Siberia, the Far East, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, the Baikal region, the Kuril Islands, northern Japan (Hokkaido), Korea, as well as a number of provinces of China (Heilongjiang, Jilin) and Mongolia. In the territory of Russia, especially among the indigenous peoples of Siberia — the Evenki, Ulchi, Yakuts, Nanai, and Udege — honeysuckle berries were traditionally used as a means of strengthening the body, recovery after winter, and increasing endurance. In the northern Amur region, the berries were ground with bark and mixed with honey or animal fat to obtain ointments and protective compositions for long treks.

In Japanese tradition, the fruits of wild honeysuckle from Hokkaido were consumed in the form of fermented infusions or decoctions, considered "warming" remedies in the cold season. In Korean herbalists, forms of use in the form of thick extracts used as skin care products in ritual ablutions are described. In the Chinese ethnomedical tradition of the northern provinces, honeysuckle was classified as a "cold" plant with the property of cleansing internal heat. It was mentioned in ancient manuscripts as part of the "hunter's forest pharmacy," along with wild rosemary, cedar needles, and rowan.

Among the Tungus-Manchu tribes inhabiting the Ussuri region, honeysuckle was considered a plant that helps "meet the northern wind" — it was used in the form of chewing cakes during long treks and shamanic rituals. In ritual practice, the berries were sometimes used to make talismans and amulets, symbolizing the power of northern spirits and protection from evil winds. Among the Yakuts and Yukaghirs, it was believed that honeysuckle infusion could "purify the blood" and "calm the tongue of the ancestors" — a figurative expression associated with the subsiding of internal tension.

In Slavic folk practices (especially in the northern provinces of Russia), honeysuckle appeared relatively late, but became established as the "first living berry of spring." In peasant healers' recipes, it was used in mashed form, in decoctions and rubs. In some regions, the berries were placed under pillows to improve sleep or protect infants from the evil eye. In wedding rituals in the Russian North, honeysuckle was included in wreaths and embroidery on towels as a symbol of longevity and endurance of the marital union.

In general, edible honeysuckle has an extensive geography of ethno-use, covering the tundra and forest cultures of Eurasia, and plays an important role both in the rational and sacred aspects of traditional medical and ritual practices of northern peoples.