Single Herb Glossary
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) |
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.