​Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)

Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)

Product Name: Жимолость японская, Lonicera japonica, Japanisches Geißblatt, Madreselva japonesa, Chèvrefeuille du Japon, زهر العسل الياباني, สายน้ำผึ้งญี่ปุ่น

Synonyms: жимолость японская, японская каприфоль, каприфоль восточная, медовая лиана; Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese honeysuckle, golden-and-silver honeysuckle, Hall’s honeysuckle; Japanisches Geißblatt, Japanische Heckenkirsche; Madreselva japonesa, Madreselva china; Chèvrefeuille du Japon, Chèvrefeuille de Chine; زهر العسل الياباني, زهر العسل الصيني; สายน้ำผึ้งญี่ปุ่น, สายน้ำผึ้งจีน

Main Indications for the Use of Lonicera japonica: Acute bronchitis, viral pneumonia, chronic sinusitis, acute tonsillitis, infectious gastroenteritis, enterovirus infection, herpetic tonsillitis, skin furunculosis, erysipelas, allergic rhinitis, viral hepatitis B, viral hepatitis C, purulent mastitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, infectious-inflammatory lesions of lymph nodes, mild hyperglycemia.

Use of Lonicera japonica in Mixtures and Complexes: Systemic lupus erythematosus, periarteritis nodosa, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, chronic hepatitis of autoimmune nature, exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, secondary immunodeficiency, mucosal candidiasis, gastroduodenitis with Helicobacter pylori, osteomyelitis, exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, herpetic keratitis.

Pharmacological Properties of Lonicera japonica: Antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, analgesic, immunostimulating, spasmolytic, hypoglycemic, antiallergic, antiproliferative, wound-healing, fungicidal, antiseptic, antitumor, angioprotective.

Dosage of Pharmaceutical Forms — Lonicera japonica

Powder — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Powder): Acute bronchitis, viral pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, infectious gastroenteritis, skin furunculosis, erysipelas, viral hepatitis B, viral hepatitis C, pulmonary tuberculosis.

Standard Dosage (Powder): Orally 1.5 grams 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals, with warm water at a temperature of 36–38 °C. Course of use — 7–14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Powder): 2.5 grams 3 times a day for severe inflammatory processes: erysipelas, pulmonary tuberculosis, viral hepatitis C. Course of use — up to 21 days under monitoring of liver biochemical parameters.

Maximum Dosage (Powder): Do not exceed 3 grams per single dose, no more than 9 grams per day. Used short-term — up to 5 days for severe acute bacterial infections with fever above 38.5 °C.

Preventive Dosage (Powder): 0.5 grams once a day in the morning 20 minutes before meals. Frequency of intake — 10 days per month, for 3 months in a row. Recommended for chronic bronchitis, immunodeficiency states, and frequent colds in adults and adolescents over 15 years of age.

Pediatric Dosage (Powder): Use is allowed in children over 7 years of age and with a body weight of 25 kg or more. Dosage — 0.3 grams of powder once a day in the morning, with warm water. Maximum duration of course — 7 days. Only under pediatric supervision.

Contraindications (Powder): Individual intolerance to components, acute nephritis, pregnancy, lactation. Sufficient data on the safety of use in children under 7 years of age and during pregnancy have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Powder): With overdose, headache, nausea, decreased blood pressure, transient diarrhea, and gastric mucosal irritation are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Powder): For body weight less than 60 kg — reduce the dosage by 25%. For body weight over 90 kg — increase the dosage by 20% within the safe range.

Preparation method (Powder): Collect dried flowers and stem tips. Select 100 grams of dry plant raw material, grind in a porcelain mortar or mill to obtain a uniform powder (fraction no more than 0.5 mm). Sift through sieve No. 200. Do not use metal knives or graters. Package the finished powder in light-proof glass jars with a tightly fitting lid.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Powder): Store in an airtight dark glass container, at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C, in a dry, ventilated place protected from direct light and sources of electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — 12 months. After opening the package, use within 30 days, tightly closing the container after each use.

Extract — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Extract): Acute bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, viral pneumonia, enterovirus infection, purulent mastitis, infectious-inflammatory lesions of lymph nodes, herpetic tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, viral hepatitis B.

Standard Dosage (Extract): Aqueous extract is taken orally at 5 ml 2 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Dilute in 50 ml of warm water at a temperature of 36–38 °C. Course — 10 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Extract): 7 ml 3 times a day for acute viral or bacterial infections with a temperature above 38 °C, purulent mastitis, and the active phase of viral hepatitis B. Course — up to 14 days.

Maximum Dosage (Extract): Up to 10 ml per dose, no more than 30 ml per day. Used for no more than 3 days for pronounced intoxication syndromes confirmed by clinical and laboratory findings.

Preventive Dosage (Extract): 3 ml once a day, in courses of 7 days with a 21-day interval. Indications: prevention of seasonal ARVI, chronic sinusitis in remission, secondary immunodeficiency in persons over 40 years of age, and frequent herpetic eruptions.

Pediatric Dosage (Extract): Use is allowed in children from 10 years of age with a body weight of 35 kg or more. Dosage — 2 ml per day, diluted in 30 ml of water. Duration of intake — no more than 5 days. Only by doctor's prescription.

Contraindications (Extract): Individual hypersensitivity, gastric ulcer in the acute stage, pronounced liver function disorders, pregnancy. Data on the safety of use in children under 10 years of age and during lactation have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Extract): When the dose is exceeded, dyspeptic disorders (nausea, heaviness in the epigastrium), allergic rash, short-term drowsiness, and increased peristalsis are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Extract): Patients with body weight below 60 kg are recommended to reduce the single dose by 25%. For body weight over 90 kg, adjustment to +20% is possible if there are no signs of liver dysfunction.

Preparation method (Extract): Dry flowers and shoot tips are used. Weigh 100 grams of dry raw material, pour 800 ml of purified water at a temperature of 90 °C, infuse under a lid in a porcelain vessel for 1 hour. After cooling, filter and evaporate at a temperature not exceeding 70 °C to a volume of 100 ml. Add 0.5 g of organic citric acid as a preservative. Mix until homogeneous. Pour into sterile dark glass bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Extract): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +2 °C to +8 °C, in a dark place, in an airtight container. Shelf life — 21 days. After opening the package, use within 5 days. Do not allow freezing.

Alcohol-Based Tincture — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Tincture): Viral hepatitis B, viral hepatitis C, acute tonsillitis, erysipelas, chronic prostatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, herpetic tonsillitis, infectious lesions of lymph nodes.

Standard Dosage (Tincture): Take 20 drops (approximately 1 ml) 2 times a day, diluted in 50 ml of water, 30 minutes before meals. Course — 10 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Tincture): 30 drops (1.5 ml) 3 times a day for the active form of viral hepatitis, erysipelas, and chronic prostatitis. Course — up to 14 days with mandatory monitoring of liver function.

Maximum Dosage (Tincture): Up to 40 drops (2 ml) per dose, no more than 6 ml per day. Use no more than 5 days in a row for severe infections and temperatures above 38.5 °C, strictly under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Tincture): 10 drops once a day for 7 days, repeat course — after 21 days. Recommended for seasonal viral infections, frequent exacerbations of chronic tonsillitis, lymphadenopathy, and also upon contact with infected patients.

Pediatric Dosage (Tincture): Not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age due to ethanol content. Over 12 years — 5 drops once a day, diluted in 100 ml of water, no more than 5 days in a row, under pediatric supervision.

Contraindications (Tincture): Absolute: alcoholism, cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, pregnancy, lactation, age under 12 years. Relative: hypotension, gastritis with high acidity. In pregnant women and children under 12 years, safety data are absent.

Side Effects (Tincture): With overdose, dizziness, weakness, tachycardia, irritation of the gastric mucosa, and short-term central nervous system depression are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Tincture): For body weight less than 60 kg — reduce the single dose by 20%. For weight over 90 kg, an increase in dose to 30 drops is allowed under tolerability monitoring.

Preparation method (Tincture): Pour 100 grams of dried flowers and shoot tips with 500 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol (organic origin), infuse in a dark glass container at a temperature of 18–25 °C for 14 days. Shake daily. After infusion — strain, pour into dark glass bottles with a dropper dispenser.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Tincture): Store in a cool place at a temperature of 10–25 °C, in a dark container, away from sources of light and electromagnetic radiation. Shelf life — up to 2 years. After opening the bottle, use within 30 days.

Oil Infusion — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Oil Infusion): Furunculosis, erysipelas, herpetic eruptions, purulent mastitis, psoriasis, non-infectious dermatitis, chronic rhinitis, inflammation of the external auditory canal.

Standard Dosage (Oil Infusion): Externally apply 2 times a day to affected skin areas in a volume of 1–2 ml. For rhinitis — 1 drop in each nostril 2 times a day. Course — 10–14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Oil Infusion): Apply up to 3 times a day to inflamed skin areas, use in the form of warm compresses (5 ml per compress) for purulent mastitis, boils, and erysipelas. Course — up to 10 days.

Maximum Dosage (Oil Infusion): Up to 5 ml at a time, no more than 15 ml per day. Used for extensive skin lesions with pronounced inflammation, provided there are no allergic reactions. Do not exceed the duration of use for more than 10 days without a break.

Preventive Dosage (Oil Infusion): 1 ml once a day for lubricating the nasal passages and skin areas prone to irritation and inflammation. Use in courses of 7 days once a month. Recommended for chronic rhinitis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic manifestations, especially in persons working outdoors.

Pediatric Dosage (Oil Infusion): From 3 years — external use in a volume of 0.5 ml once a day on a limited skin area. From 6 years — application to the nasal area is allowed (1 drop in each nostril) for chronic rhinitis. Duration of use — up to 5 days. Use only in agreement with a pediatrician.

Contraindications (Oil Infusion): Individual sensitivity to plant components and the base oil, extensive weeping eczema, deep purulent wounds. Data on the safety of use during pregnancy and lactation have not been scientifically registered, therefore use requires caution.

Side Effects (Oil Infusion): Contact dermatitis, burning when applied to open wounds, and increased skin itching with a tendency to allergies are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Oil Infusion): Not required for external use. When used in the nasal passages — in patients weighing less than 30 kg, it is recommended to reduce the dose by half.

Preparation method (Oil Infusion): Take 100 grams of dry flowers, pour 300 ml of unrefined organic sesame oil. Infuse in a glass container in a water bath at a temperature of 45–50 °C for 3 hours. Then keep in a dark place for another 7 days at room temperature, shaking daily. After infusion, filter through a dense cloth, pour into sterile dark bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Oil Infusion): Store at a temperature of 10–18 °C in a dark, dry place, in an airtight dark glass container. Shelf life — up to 6 months. After opening, use within 30 days, avoiding contact with water.

Essential Oil — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Essential Oil): Purulent mastitis (externally), herpetic eruptions around the mouth, chronic rhinitis, non-infectious dermatitis, inflammation of the external auditory canal.

Standard Dosage (Essential Oil): For inhalations: 2 drops of essential oil in 100 ml of warm water twice a day; local application: 1 drop of oil mixed with 5 ml of base organic oil (jojoba or sweet almond) on the skin once a day.

Enhanced Dosage (Essential Oil): For steam inhalations — 4 drops in 200 ml of water for acute inflammations of the nasopharynx (tonsillitis, sinusitis); for local application — 2 drops of the mixture per 5 ml of base oil, used up to 3 times a day for herpetic eruptions and localized inflammation.

Maximum Dosage (Essential Oil): Do not exceed 6 drops of essential oil in a mixture of up to 10 ml of base oil for local use, no more than 12 drops in an inhalation mixture of 300 ml of water. Use no more than 3 days in a row, only under specialist supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Essential Oil): One drop of oil in 5 ml of base oil for application to the chest and nasolabial triangle 2 times a week. Recommended for seasonal viral diseases and a tendency to herpetic eruptions in adolescents and adults under 50 years of age.

Pediatric Dosage (Essential Oil): Not recommended for children under 12 years of age due to the risk of irritation. From 12 to 16 years: maximum 1 drop of oil per 10 ml of base oil for local application, no more than once a day.

Contraindications (Essential Oil): Hypersensitivity to essential oils, epilepsy, bronchial asthma in the acute stage, children under 12 years of age. During pregnancy and lactation, it is recommended to avoid use due to limited data.

Side Effects (Essential Oil): When the dose is exceeded, contact dermatitis, skin hyperemia, mucosal irritation, and headache are possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Essential Oil): Not required for external and inhalation use. With excessive use of aromatherapy in adolescents (12–16 years), reduce the dose of the mixture by 50%.

Preparation method (Essential Oil): Place freshly collected flowers in a distiller, pour a sufficient amount of purified water. Evaporate by steam distillation at a temperature of 98–100 °C for 3 hours. Collect the essential oil through a separator, dry with anhydrous sodium sulfate, filter, pour into dark glass bottles with a dropper cap (total oil yield — about 0.2%).

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Essential Oil): Store in dark glass bottles at a temperature of +5 °C to +15 °C, in a dry, light-protected place. Shelf life — up to 24 months. After opening, use within 12 months.

Floral Water (Hydrolate) — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, skin itching, acne, facial skin irritation, photodermatitis, redness after cosmetic procedures.

Standard Dosage (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Externally: spray on the skin 2–3 times a day from a distance of 20–30 cm, 2–3 presses. Intranasally — instill 1 drop in each nostril 2 times a day. Course — 7–10 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Up to 5 sprays on the skin up to 5 times a day for pronounced irritation, inflammation, and itching. Intranasally — up to 3 drops in each nostril 3 times a day for allergic rhinitis and exacerbation of chronic rhinitis.

Maximum Dosage (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Spraying — up to 8 times a day on one area, nasally — no more than 5 drops in each nostril. It is permissible to use no more than 5 days in a row at such doses. Only under medical supervision.

Preventive Dosage (Floral Water / Hydrolate): 1–2 sprays on the facial skin morning and evening daily. Intranasally — 1 drop in each nostril once a day. Prophylactically used for a tendency to dermatitis, sensitive skin, chronic rhinitis, and seasonal manifestations of hay fever. Course — 14 days, repeat once a month.

Pediatric Dosage (Floral Water / Hydrolate): From 3 years: 1 spray on the skin of the face or body no more than 2 times a day. From 5 years — instill 1 drop in each nostril once a day. Duration — up to 5 days. Without the addition of preservatives.

Contraindications (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Individual sensitivity. Do not apply to open weeping wounds. Contraindications during pregnancy, lactation, and in children over 3 years of age with external use have not been scientifically registered.

Side Effects (Floral Water / Hydrolate): In isolated cases, burning or redness of the skin is possible with repeated application, especially on oily skin. On mucous membranes — short-term dryness is possible.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Not required for external and nasal use.

Preparation method (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Place 100 grams of fresh flowers in a distiller with 700 ml of purified water. Conduct steam distillation at a temperature of 98–100 °C for 3 hours. Collect the distillate (hydrolate), separate traces of essential oil, filter through a sterile filter. Add 0.1 g of organic citric acid as a mild preservative. Pour into sterile spray bottles.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Floral Water / Hydrolate): Store at a temperature of +4 °C to +8 °C, in the refrigerator, in a tightly closed bottle. Shelf life — 30 days without preservatives, 90 days with organic preservative. After opening, use within 7 days.

Phyto-Concentrate (Cellular Extract) — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Phyto-Concentrate): Skin hyperpigmentation, photoaging, post-inflammatory spots, dermatitis, couperose, atopic skin, skin fatigue after aggressive procedures (peels, laser), recovery after burns.

Standard Dosage (Phyto-Concentrate): Apply 1–2 drops to previously cleansed skin of the face or affected area once a day in the evening. Distribute evenly with fingertips. Course — 10–14 days.

Enhanced Dosage (Phyto-Concentrate): 3–4 drops 2 times a day for pronounced signs of inflammation, irritation, and flaking of the skin. Recommended for intensive recovery after cosmetic procedures (laser, microdermabrasion). Course — no more than 7 days in a row.

Maximum Dosage (Phyto-Concentrate): Up to 5 drops on the face, no more than 10 drops per day on the body area. Use is allowed for 3 days for severe skin reactions (exacerbation of atopic dermatitis, post-burn therapy).

Preventive Dosage (Phyto-Concentrate): 1 drop once a day in the evening as part of a base cream or oil serum. Prevention of photoaging, dull complexion, skin reactivity, and seasonal flaking. Course — 10 days, repeat monthly.

Pediatric Dosage (Phyto-Concentrate): From 12 years — 1 drop diluted in 2 ml of base vegetable gel or cream, once a day on irritated skin. Duration — no more than 5 days. Under dermatologist supervision.

Contraindications (Phyto-Concentrate): Individual intolerance, weeping forms of dermatitis, active pustular rashes. Do not apply to the eye area. The safety of use in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children under 12 years of age has not been scientifically established.

Side Effects (Phyto-Concentrate): With overdose — hyperemia, burning sensation, short-term rash are possible. All reactions are reversible upon discontinuation of use.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Phyto-Concentrate): Not required, the dosage is determined locally by the area of application.

Preparation method (Phyto-Concentrate): Fresh flowers are used. Grind 100 grams of raw material and subject to pressing at low temperature (up to 40 °C) to obtain cellular juice. Separate the fractions, clean from the pulp, filter. Add 0.2 g of natural enzyme stabilizer (extract of Rhodiola root or grape seeds). Mix, pour into sterile glass bottles with a dropper. Do not use alcohol or aggressive preservatives.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Phyto-Concentrate): Store in the refrigerator at a temperature of +4 °C. Protect from light, do not allow contact with air. Shelf life — 21 days. After opening — use within 5 days, with mandatory cooling.

Cosmetic Preservative — Lonicera japonica

Indications (Cosmetic Preservative): Antimicrobial stabilization of natural creams, lotions, hydrophilic oils, serums, and shampoos, prevention of bacterial and fungal contamination of home-made and industrially produced cosmetics.

Standard Dosage (Cosmetic Preservative): Add 0.5 ml of aqueous or alcohol-water concentrate per 100 ml of finished product. Suitable for emulsion and aqueous phases of cosmetics used for 3–6 months.

Enhanced Dosage (Cosmetic Preservative): 1 ml per 100 ml of cosmetic base under high microbiological load: creams with the addition of fresh juices, hydrolates or infusions, products used in a humid environment (shower, bath). Use at pH 4.5–6.5.

Maximum Dosage (Cosmetic Preservative): 1.5 ml per 100 ml — used only in short-lived products without refrigeration storage or in hot climates. Do not use in products with pH below 4 or above 7.5.

Preventive Dosage (Cosmetic Preservative): 0.3 ml per 100 ml of cosmetics when making home cream or toner for personal use for up to 30 days. Suitable for sensitive skin and adolescents.

Pediatric Dosage (Cosmetic Preservative): For children over 3 years: no more than 0.2 ml per 100 ml of product. Use only in products with a pH of 5 to 6. Use in children's creams, cleansing milks, and shampoos for no more than 30 days.

Contraindications (Cosmetic Preservative): Individual sensitivity. Do not use in products intended for mucous membranes, intravaginal, or ophthalmic products. Data on systemic toxicity with external use have not been registered.

Side Effects (Cosmetic Preservative): In isolated cases, skin irritation and contact dermatitis are possible at high concentrations, especially with prolonged contact. Side effects are more often detected when the pH of the cosmetic base is disturbed.

Adjustment for Patient Body Weight (Cosmetic Preservative): Not required, the dosage is determined by the mass fraction in the composition of the final cosmetic product.

Preparation method (Cosmetic Preservative): The water-glycerin extract is prepared from 100 grams of dry flowers, poured with 100 ml of a mixture of purified water (70 ml) and organic glycerin (30 ml). Infuse at 40 °C for 24 hours in a closed porcelain vessel. Filter, add 0.1 grams of citric acid to stabilize the pH. Pour into sterile bottles with a dropper dispenser.

Storage Conditions and Shelf Life (Cosmetic Preservative): Store at a temperature of +4 °C to +8 °C, in a place protected from light. Shelf life — 60 days. After opening, use within 15 days, avoid contact with air and metal objects.

Toxicity and Biosafety of Lonicera japonica

According to experimental studies on animals, Japanese honeysuckle has a high biosafety profile upon oral and external use. Acute toxicological tests have shown that aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Lonicera japonica do not exhibit significant toxicity with a single oral load. The established LD₅₀ values (lethal dose at which 50% of experimental animals die): — for the aqueous extract of Lonicera japonica upon oral administration in mice — more than 15 g/kg body weight; — for the ethanolic extract — more than 11 g/kg body weight; — with external use, as well as when administered in cosmetic forms, no systemic toxicity was observed either with short-term or prolonged use. In subchronic trials (28–90 days), no deviations in clinical and biochemical parameters, morphology of the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs were observed, except at doses above 20 g/kg, which significantly exceeds clinically applicable values.

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

Pharmacodynamics — Lonicera japonica

The pharmacodynamic properties of Lonicera japonica are due to the high content of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, chlorogenic acid, and iridoids. These substances have pronounced biological activity at the systemic and cellular levels. The ability of plant extracts to exert anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial effects is noted. The effect on the immune system is manifested in the modulation of macrophage activity and inhibition of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. With local application, plant components affect the skin, reducing the activity of neutrophil infiltration and suppressing oxidative stress.

Systemically active components are able to influence the enzymatic activity of COX and LOX, which reduces the synthesis of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. An effect on the levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation has also been identified. It is suggested that Lonicera japonica may indirectly regulate vascular tone and cellular responses to inflammation. Moderate sedative and spasmolytic effects associated with central and peripheral mechanisms are observed.

References: https://www.sciencedirect.com/...; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072073

Pharmacokinetics — Lonicera japonica

The active compounds of Lonicera japonica demonstrate various routes of absorption depending on the dosage form. Upon oral administration of extracts and powders, absorption occurs mainly in the small intestine. Some components, in particular polyphenols, undergo partial metabolism with the participation of the intestinal microflora, forming biologically active metabolites. Flavonoids and organic acids, such as chlorogenic acid, are rapidly conjugated in the liver and transported by the bloodstream mainly to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Rectal administration or the use of infusions through mucous membranes bypasses partial hepatic metabolism, which increases the bioavailability of some metabolites. With external use (infusions, essential oil), components penetrate the superficial layers of the epidermis and exert a local effect without systemic absorption. Metabolism is carried out mainly in the liver with the participation of phase I and II biotransformation enzymes. Excretion occurs with urine, bile, and, to a lesser extent, with sweat and through the skin. Residual traces of some compounds may accumulate in the skin and liver with prolonged use.

References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3794995/

Mechanisms of Action and Scientific Rationale — Lonicera japonica

The basis of the pharmacological activity of Lonicera japonica consists of flavonoids, phenolic acids, iridoids, and saponins, acting at the cellular level through multiple mechanisms. It has been established that plant extracts are able to inhibit the activity of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase (5-LOX), reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Proven modulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways leads to a decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α).

Phenolic components exhibit antioxidant action through direct neutralization of free radicals and restoration of glutathione. Some compounds interact with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on the surface of immune cells, altering their activity and reducing the inflammatory response. Inhibition of NO-synthase and modulation of nitric oxide levels in the vascular endothelium have also been established, which affects vascular tone and capillary permeability.

The effect of Lonicera japonica extract on enzymes regulating neurotransmitter degradation (for example, acetylcholinesterase) opens up prospects for studying the effect on the central nervous system. With external use, a direct effect on epidermal cells and neutrophil mediators of inflammation is assumed.

References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3794995/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319016413000095
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34311818

Synergy — Lonicera japonica

Pharmacological synergy of Lonicera japonica is observed in combination with such plants as Scutellaria baicalensis, Forsythia suspensa, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis. A potentiating effect on the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancement of antioxidant activity with the combined use of flavonoids and phenolic acids has been confirmed. An additive mechanism of interaction via the NF-κB and COX-2 pathways has been established, which enhances the anti-inflammatory effect. Combined use with licorice glycosides has shown a modulating effect on the immune response and a decrease in macrophage activity. In combination with saponins from other plants, a tissue-specific effect on the skin and mucous membranes has been noted.

References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.go...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S037887411630169X
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072073

Geography of Use and Traditional Medicine — Lonicera japonica

Lonicera japonica is one of the most famous and multifacetedly used representatives of the Caprifoliaceae family in traditional medical and ethnocultural practices of East Asia. Historically, the plant was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Japanese phytotherapy (Kampo), as well as in Korean, Vietnamese, and partially Mongolian systems of folk healing. Its use covers China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the northern regions of Vietnam, and has also spread through migration to South Asia, Europe, and the Americas as part of the relocation of cultivated species.

In the Chinese tradition, the plant is known as "jin yin hua" (金银花 — "golden-silver flower"), which refers to the characteristic flowering: white flowers turn yellow as they age. The first documented information on the use of honeysuckle is found in the classic treatise "Bencao Gangmu" from the Ming Dynasty (16th century), where the use of flowers in the form of aqueous decoctions and powders is described. It was considered a "plant of purity," cleansing from external and internal "heat," and was used for the general balance of energy.

In Japan, Lonicera japonica was part of Kampo practice, where it was used primarily in decoctions and alcoholic infusions, used to strengthen the spirit, protect the body from external influences, and improve general tone. In this context, the plant had not only a medical but also a protective-ritual function. In some Japanese regions, honeysuckle flowers were hung in houses on doorways on days of seasonal holidays for protection from evil spirits.

In Korea, the plant is known as "geum-eunhwa" and was traditionally used in infusions and smoking mixtures. Leaves and flowers were part of ritual fumigations in rural regions, where the smoke from honeysuckle symbolically cleansed the space during the change of seasons or upon entering into marriage. In the Vietnamese village tradition, a decoction of the plant was used for wraps, especially during rituals of cleansing newborns and during the period of postpartum isolation.

Mongolian folk medicine used honeysuckle in the form of chewing fresh flowers and tinctures on mare's milk, attributing to the plant the ability to "untangle cold and wind" in the body. In some regions of Siberia and Transbaikalia, where the plant was introduced, honeysuckle was perceived as a plant of protection. Its branches were placed at the entrance to dwellings during summer solstice holidays.

In addition to medical use, Japanese honeysuckle was used for decorative and symbolic purposes. In Chinese and Japanese wedding floristry, it symbolized the harmony of two opposites — yin and yang — due to the combination of two colors of petals. In Korean ritual culture, flowers were placed in altar dishes offered to ancestral spirits. In some areas of Southern China, an infusion of petals was used in divination — drops on a stone slab were interpreted depending on the shape and direction of their spreading. Thus, Lonicera japonica has a deep ethnomedical and cultural integration into the rituals and practices of a number of Asian peoples, combining the functions of a medicinal, protective, cleansing, and sacred plant.