Lupus erythematosus treated with TCM honeysuckle vine

What is honeysuckle vine?
Medicinally it mainly refers to the dried stems with leaves of Lonicera japonica Thunb., which is one of flowering vines in the family caprifoliaceae. But sometimes it also means other honeysuckle vine varieties – L. confusa (Sweet) DC., L. hypoglauca Miq., or L.fuluotomentosa Hsu et S.C.Chneg. Hence, it is also known as Caulis Lonicerae in Latin name. It is usually reaped in autumn and winter. And following steps are to remove the impurities, bind them in bundles or roll into a group, and dry in the sun.

Climbing honeysuckle vine is usually cultivated as ground cover and for landscaping purpose. Since they attract bees, they will add color and bring in life to the garden. Honeysuckle plants are a semi-evergreen, perennial shrub with twining stems. It is up to 9 meters in length. Stems are hollow. Young shoots are densely pubescent. Leaves are opposite, densely pubescent, and with oval or ovate blade, mucronate or rarely obtuse apex, rounded or nearly heart-shaped base, entire margin, and pubescent sides and edges. Flowers are in pair, and axillary; pedicels are densely pubescent; bracteole is about 1mm; short calyx is with remnant leaf or leaf scars. The dried one is brittle, easily broken, and with hollow and yellow-white section. It is odorless and slightly bitter in old branches or tasteless in twigs. Bloom time is from May to July and fruiting time is from July to October.

Honeysuckle vine health benefits
Fresh or dried honeysuckle vine can be used for a variety of complaints clinically, especially eczema in babies, arthritis and rheumatism, cough, and more.

Eczema in babies is a common skin condition and it is hard to relieve although steroid ointment or cream, as well as an emollient have been applied according to the advice from doctors. In this case, bathing with honeysuckle decoction can be a good remedy, which will completely eradicate eczema over time. More importantly, it won’t harm the baby’s skin. However, it works mainly for baby eczema caused by milk. But for older kids, it is not suitable since the causes are more complex.

It is also a drug commonly used to treat arthritis. Clinically it has a certain effect on reactive arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis pain, gouty arthritis, etc. Even more important, it is of cold in nature and with no side effects, which is quite rare and commendable among so many herbs of dispelling wind and removing obstruction in the meridians. In addition, honeysuckle-based herbal recipes works for joint and muscle aches in diseases like Lupus Erythematosus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and Dermatomyositis.

Flavonoids like galuteolin and luteolin have a better therapeutic effect on chronic bronchitis. And honeysuckle happens to contain these two ingredients. As a result, it is antitussive and expectorant too. Generally honeysuckle alone is not used for chronic cough. But when used it in combination with other herbs, it can play important roles in the treatment of immune disease accompanied with interstitial pneumonia, secondary infection, and chronic cough.