Login

Single Herb Glossary

Glossary Home

Back

Jīn Yín Huā 金銀花

Pharmaceutical name Lonicerae Flos Lonicera japonica flower Honeysuckle flower “gold silver flower”
Category Clear Heat, Resolve Toxicity
Key Properties Disperses Heat, Resolves toxicity
Cools the blood
Stops bleeding (if charred)
Properties Sweet
Cold
Tropism LI, LU, ST
Actions & Indications 1) Clears Heat & Relieves Fire Toxicity
2) Vents & Disperses Externally-Contracted Wind Heat
3) Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Summer-Heat – rash, carbuncle
Blood Heat – dysentery (charred)
Dosages 6-20g
Contraindications (TCM) Smaller doses for Exterior Wind-Heat,
Larger ones for heat toxin, sores, abscesses
Contraindications (Western)
Chemical Composition Lonicein, loniceraflavone, loganin, tannin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, aromadendrene, linalool, geraniol, octanal, α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, 1,8-cineole, β-terpinene, hexenol, α-terpineol, neral, linalyl acetate, geranial, citronellol, terpinyl acetate, eugenol, β-eudesmol, geranyl acetate, α-copene, patchoulene, α-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene, iso-bornyl acetate, farnesol, nerolidol
Pharmacological Effects • Antibiotic: broad spectrum inhibitory effect against S. aureus, β-hemolytic streptococcus, E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhi, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Diplococcus meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis; chlorogenic acid and isochlorogenic acid have strongest antibiotic effects; fresh herb (just soaked in water) has stronger antibiotic action than herbal decoction; leaves have stronger antibiotic properties than the flowers
• Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic: marked anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects in mice and rabbits
• CNS stimulant: mild stimulating influence on CNS with one-sixth the potency of caffeine; combination with caffeine showed no synergistic effect
• Antihyperlipidemic: administration of 2.5 g/kg decreased absorption of cholesterol in gastrointestinal tract in rats
• Gastrointestinal: administration of large dosage decoction associated with increased motility of stomach and intestines; increases excretion of bile acid and gastric acid
Herb-Drug Interactions
Classical Formula(s)


Back

This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.