Honeysuckle tree and its popularity
The honeysuckle tree is a climber that bears tubular-scented flowers that come with a lot of benefits. In China, it is generally named haskap or termed as honeyberry. This plant showed high resistivity against low temperatures and can survive below -40 degrees Celsius. This tree is becoming very popular due to several factors one is because of the honey suckle tea benefits.
- The honeysuckle tree has an attractive beauty with its fragrant colorful flowers that bloom in spring. This makes it a perfect plant for any garden.
- This tree requires minimal maintenance and care, thus making it an ideal plant.
- It also serves as food for wild animals and birds including birds, bees, and butterflies.
- The beautiful flowers of honeysuckle attract pollinators that help in promoting biodiversity and enhance the beauty of nature.
- This plant exhibits medicinal properties too. Tea made from the bark of this tree cures colds, and coughs and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Origin of this tea
Honeysuckle tea, also known as Lonicera japonica, generally hails from Chinese origin. Its flowers and leaves are used for making tea that possesses antioxidant properties. (1) These flowers are known to prevent and treat several diseases like it has a curative effect on the coronavirus. (2) This Chinese herbal medicine is known to have curative effects on patients affected with coronavirus and is now used worldwide.
Traditional uses in herbal medicine
Honeysuckle plant naturally occurs in forests in Europe, North Asia, and North America. This plant is highly abundant in mountainous and lower regions.
- The Japanese people believe that the honeysuckle plant is a tonic of life. The juice prepared from these berries is sold as a “gold remedy for eternal youth and longevity”.
- The antioxidant properties of this fruit serve as an anti-inflammatory effect from the very ancient days.
- This fruit works as a rich source of vitamin C that has 186 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid. It contains greater vitamin C in comparison to oranges. (14) Oranges have 31 mg/100 g of ascorbic acid. It worked as a medicine in the ancient period to develop immunity against diseases
- These berries are even consumed by pre-diabetic and diabetic patients as this herb has very low sugar content.
- The honeysuckle tea contains certain immune booster enzymes necessary for our system to work smoothly that have been used for ages. (15)
Nutritional composition
Serving size – 10 gram
| Nutritional Composition | Average Quantity Per Servings |
| Energy | 153 KJ |
| Protein | 0 gram |
| Fats | 0 gram |
| Total saturated Fats | 0 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 9.0 gram |
| Dietary Fibers | 0 gram |
| Sugars | 8.0 gram |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
Honey Suckle Tea Benefits
Some of the honey suckle tea benefits are as follows
Antioxidant properties
Honeysuckle tea contains antioxidants like quercetin that help neutralize the free radicals that damage the cell membranes and interfere with DNA. It also helps in heart conditions and lowers possible cancer proliferation. (4)
Immune booster
This super tea has immense benefits for our immune system. It helps to get rid of colds, and flu and possesses numerous antifungal and antibacterial properties. This tea component makes this beverage a great herb to improve immunity against seasonal allergies. It proved a miracle to COVID-19 patients in lessening the symptoms. (5)
Anti-inflammatory
The consumption of honeysuckle tea has exhibited anti-inflammatory effects on our body. The naturally occurring anthocyanin Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) has a lot of health-benefiting properties. (6)
Respiratory health
Honeysuckle tea also contains flavonoids that are beneficial for lung health by reducing oxidative stress and thus help in improving overall immunity. (7)
Digestive Health
This tea helps in reducing the inflammation in the stomach and also improves digestion. Moreover, it also helps in promoting regular bowel movements through the intestines. (8)
Skin benefits
Honeysuckle tea has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to treat skin conditions. The antioxidant properties help in reducing redness and irritation on the skin. It also removes fine lines and wrinkled skin to an extent. (9)
Relaxation and rejuvenation
Honeysuckle tea contains flavonoids and phenolic acids that provide soothing effects on our skin. Also, the antioxidants present in honeysuckle tea help reduce inflammation and mental stress, which improves focus. Consuming this tea improves sleep quality and thus provides relaxation. (10)
How to prepare honeysuckle tea and how much to consume
- Two cups of fresh blossoms
- Honey
- Water
Procedure
- First, boil two cups of water.
- To the boiling water, add a handful of honeysuckle flowers.
- Let the water along with the flowers infuse for 2 minutes.
- Strain it and add a spoon of honey (if required as per taste)
- Enjoy it warm or refrigerate as per wish.
Consumption of this tea is not recommended during pregnancy. Overconsumption of this tea must be avoided. It can be consumed once a day. (11)
Side effects of Honeysuckle Tea
- Studies have revealed that honeysuckle tea interferes with the pharmacological properties of drugs such as ketoprofen. (12)
- Consumption of honeysuckle tea has proved a potential risk for pregnant and nursing women. (13)
Summary
- Honeysuckle tea has a lot of benefitting properties including antioxidant and antibacterial properties.
- Honeysuckle tea has been used as a natural remedy to treat skin conditions and reduce redness and irritation on the skin.
- This super tea has proved a miracle to covid-19 patients in lessening the symptoms of cold, flu, and allergies.
- The antioxidants found in honeysuckle tea helps in reducing inflammation and mental stress.
- The consumption of this tea improves sleep quality and thus provides relaxation.
- Honeysuckle tea is usually not recommended for pregnant ladies as it can affect the fetus and hence it must be consumed considerately.