Did you know that honeysuckle is an excellent cure for asthma? Honeysuckle can also be used to ease upset stomachs and headaches. It is also a symbol of fidelity and love.

Here are three important facts to know about honeysuckle

1. Honeysuckle has proven antibacterial properties. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can treat Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus B-hemolytic, Eschricha coli, Vibrio cholera, Salmonella typhi, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Diplococcus meningitidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Bacillus dysenteriae. These are all serious bacterial infections that can result in death.
2. While the Western variety, Lonicera periclymenum, can be used medicinally, it is the Eastern variety, L. japonica, that has the longest medicinal history. Indeed, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is considered one of the 50 Fundamental Herbs and is commonly used to treat a variety of acute infectious diseases, including colds and flu, and even encephalitis.
3. In TCM, honeysuckle is also often used in pus-forming infections, skin sores, and itchy skin conditions.

Pay attention!  Not all varieties of honeysuckle are edible or used medicinally. Different varieties can be highly toxic. In TCM, Japanese honeysuckle, L. japonica, is the most commonly used medicinal variety of honeysuckle.

Find out more about Honeysuckle.