Lonicerae Japonicae Flos
Aliases：Honeysuckle Flower、Luyuanhua、Silver Flower、Double Flower、Two Flowers、Golden Vine Flower、Double Bud Flower
Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb classified under heat-clearing and toxin-removing medicinals. It consists of the dried flower buds or newly opened flowers of Lonicera japonica Thunb., Lonicera hypoglauca Miq., Lonicera confusa DC., or Lonicera dasystyla Rehd. (family Caprifoliaceae).
Efficacy & Actions
This product has the actions of clearing Heat and resolving Toxin, and dispersing Wind-Heat.
Indications
It is indicated for carbuncles, furuncles and sores, throat impediment (laryngitis/tonsillitis), erysipelas, acute dysentery due to Heat Toxin (with bloody stools), wind-heat common cold, and febrile diseases with fever (early stage).
Modern Pharmacology
This product has antiviral, antibacterial and anti-endotoxin, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, among others.
Ingredients
This product contains volatile oils, luteolin, inositol, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, etc. The isolated chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid are the main antibacterial components of this product.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 6–15 g in decoction.
Contraindications
When Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Japonicae Flos) and Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba) are decocted together, the solution may become turbid. Therefore, they should not be used together in the preparation of compound injections.
Selected Formulas
1. Treating carbuncles, sores, and abscesses For early-stage carbuncles with redness, swelling, heat and pain: May be used alone as a decoction, and the herb residue applied topically to the affected area. It may also be combined with Gleditsiae Spina (Zaojiaoci), Manis Pentadactyla Squama (Chuanshanjia; note: pangolin scales are now prohibited; substitutes may be used), and Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), as in Xianfang Huoming Yin (Women‘s Good Formulas). For furuncles and toxic swellings with induration and deep roots: Often combined with Violae Herba (Zihuadiding), Taraxaci Herba (Pugongying), and Chrysanthemi Indici Flos (Yejuhua), as in Wuwei Xiaodu Yin (Golden Mirror of Medicine). For intestinal abscess (appendicitis / intestinal carbuncle) with abdominal pain: Often combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Sanguisorbae Radix (Diyu), and Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), as in Qingchang Yin (Treatise on Pattern Differentiation). For lung abscess (pulmonary abscess) with cough and expectoration of pus and blood: Often combined with Houttuyniae Herba (Yuxingcao), Phragmitis Rhizoma (Lugen), and Persicae Semen (Taoren), to clear the Lung and expel pus. 2. Treating external wind-heat or early-stage warm disease For external contraction of wind-heat or early-stage warm disease with fever, headache, sore throat, and thirst: Often combined with Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe), and Arctii Fructus (Niubangzi), as in Yinqiao San (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases). For heat entering the nutritive (Ying) and blood levels with deep-red tongue, impaired consciousness, vexation, and insomnia: This herb excels at clearing Heart and Stomach heat toxicity and has the function of moving from the Ying level to the Qi level. It is combined with Bubali Cornu (Shuiniujiao, water buffalo horn; substitute for rhino horn), Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdi), and Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), as in Qingying Tang (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases). For summerheat-warm disease (Shu Wen) with fever, vexation, thirst, headache, and absence of sweating: Combined with Moslae Herba (Xiangru), Magnoliae Officinalis Cortex (Houpo), and Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), as in Xinjia Xiangru Yin (Systematic Differentiation of Warm Diseases). 3. Treating dysentery due to heat toxin For heat toxin dysentery with bloody purulent stools: It can be used alone as a concentrated decoction taken orally, and it is effective. It may also be combined with Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), and Pulsatillae Radix (Baitouweng) to enhance the anti-dysentery effect.
Daily Consumption
1. Jinyinhua Wine (1) Actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxin. Indicated for sores and swellings, lung abscess (pulmonary abscess), and intestinal abscess. (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua, honeysuckle flower) – 50 g Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao, licorice root) – 10 g White wine (or Chinese liquor) – 0.15 L (3) Preparation: Decoct the two herbs in 1 L of water until 250 mL of liquid remains. Then add 150 mL of white wine, heat briefly over fire, and divide into three portions. 2. Jinyinhua Congee (1) Actions: Clears Heat and resolves Toxin, disperses Wind-Heat. Indicated for all wind-dampness disorders, various toxic swellings, carbuncles, sores, scabies, and tinea. (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) – 15 g Rice – 100 g White sugar – appropriate amount (3) Preparation: Wash the Jinyinhua, add an appropriate amount of water, soak for 5–10 minutes, then decoct to obtain the juice. Add the rice and cook into a congee. When the congee is nearly done, stir in white sugar. 3. Jinyinhua Distillate (Honeysuckle Dew) (1) Actions: Clears Summerheat, resolves Toxin, cools the Blood, and quenches thirst. Indicated for thirst due to summerheat, toxic sores and swellings, summer boils in children, and prickly heat (heat rash). (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) – 50 g (3) Preparation: Add 1500 mL of water to 50 g of Jinyinhua, soak for half an hour, then bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add rock sugar to taste, then refrigerate. The resulting drink is sweet and fragrant, making it an excellent summer health beverage. 4. Jinyinhua and Mint Beverage (1) Actions: Clears Heat, cools the Blood, resolves Toxin, and promotes fluid production to quench thirst. Suitable for wind-heat common cold, early-stage warm disease, and high fever with vexation and thirst. (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) – 30 g Menthae Haplocalycis Herba (Bohe, mint) – 10 g Fresh Phragmitis Rhizoma (Lugen, reed rhizome) – 60 g (3) Preparation: First, decoct Jinyinhua and reed rhizome in 500 mL of water for 15 minutes. Then add mint and boil for another 3 minutes. Strain the decoction, add an appropriate amount of white sugar, and serve warm. 5. Jinyinhua and Lotus Seed Thick Soup (1) Actions: Clears Heat, resolves Toxin, fortifies the Spleen, and stops diarrhea. (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) – 25 g Lotus seeds – 50 g White sugar – appropriate amount (3) Preparation: Wash Jinyinhua. Soak the lotus seeds in warm water, remove the skins and the bitter germ (heart). Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the lotus seeds are fully cooked and soft. Add Jinyinhua and cook for 5 minutes, then stir in white sugar. 6. Jinyinhua and Hawthorn Beverage (1) Actions: Clears Heat, promotes digestion, unblocks the intestines, and relieves constipation. (2) Ingredients: Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua) – 30 g Crataegi Fructus (Shanzha, hawthorn fruit) – 20 g Honey – appropriate amount (3) Preparation: Place Jinyinhua and hawthorn into a pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the liquid, then add honey to taste.
Medicinal Parts
dried flower buds and initially opened flowers
Selection & Storage
1. Raw Jinyinhua and Stir‑fried Jinyinhua Moisture protection: Ensure the Jinyinhua is thoroughly dried (sun‑dried or baked) before storage. Do not place it in direct contact with the floor or walls. The storage area should be well‑ventilated. If moisture absorption is detected, immediately take out the herb and sun‑dry or bake it again. Insect prevention: Jinyinhua is prone to insect infestation (e.g., by rice weevils). Place a few cloves of garlic, several Sichuan peppercorns, or dried tangerine peel wrapped in gauze into the airtight container to repel insects by their odor. Regularly inspect for signs of insect damage. Packaging: For small quantities at home, use airtight glass jars, metal containers, or ceramic crocks. For bulk commercial storage, use wooden boxes lined with moisture‑proof paper, tightly sealed; each unit weighs approximately 25 kg. Shelf life: The typical shelf life of Jinyinhua is 1–3 years; it is recommended to use it within 1 year for optimal efficacy. After the expiration date, even without obvious spoilage, the potency gradually decreases. If signs of mold, off‑odor, severe insect damage, or soft/rotten texture appear, do not continue to use. Regular inspection: Periodically check the stored herb. If moisture, mold, discoloration, or insect damage is found, take timely corrective action. 2. Jinyinhua Charcoal After processing, the charcoal must be thoroughly spread out and cooled to dissipate heat, ensuring that any embers are completely extinguished to prevent re‑ignition. 3. Wine‑processed Jinyinhua (Jiu Jinyinhua) It should be kept in a dry, airtight container and stored in a cool, dry place to protect against mold and insects.