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Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

Climber
Nintooa japonica. (Thunb.)Sweet.
View Images of Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Common Name Latin Name Plant Family
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Caprifoliaceae

A very vigorous climbing plant, it makes a good dense ground cover plant where it has the space to run over the ground but it will swamp smaller plants[197, 200]. The sub-species L. japonica repens is especially used for this purpose on the continent[182]. The cultivar ‘Halliana’ has also been recommended[188, 197]. This cultivar should be clipped back severely in the spring if it gets untidy, it responds well to such conditions[208]. Plants should be spaced about 1 metre apart each way[208].

The plant is said to be insecticidal[218].

The stems have been used in making baskets[257].

  • Medicinal Use

    The stems and flower buds are alterative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge[147, 174, 176, 178, 238]. The plant is also used to reduce blood pressure[174, 176, 238].

    The stems are used internally in the treatment of acute rheumatoid arthritis, mumps and hepatitis[238]. The stems are harvested in the autumn and winter, and are dried for later use[238].

    The stems and flowers are used together as an infusion in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) and dysentery[238].

    An infusion of the flower buds is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including syphilitic skin diseases and tumours, bacterial dysentery, colds, enteritis, pain, swellings etc[174, 176, 218, 222, 238, 279]. Experimentally, the flower extracts have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and are antibacterial, antiviral and tuberculostatic[222, 279]. Externally, the flowers are applied as a wash to skin inflammations, infectious rashes and sores[238]. The flowers are harvested in early morning before they open and are dried for later use[238]. The plant has a similar action to Forsythia suspensa and is usually used in combination with that species to achieve a stronger action[176].

    This plant has become a serious weed in many areas of N. America, it might have the potential to be utilized for proven medical purposes[222].

  • Edible Use

    Leaves – cooked. The parboiled leaves are used as a vegetable[183]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity.

    Flowers – sucked for their sweet nectar[183], used as a vegetable or made into a syrup and puddings[183].

    A tea is made from the leaves, buds and flowers[177, 183].

  • Cautionary Notes

    The leaves contain saponins[179]. Saponins are quite toxic but are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. They can be found in many common foods such as some beans. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will normally remove most of the saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Cultivation & Habitat

Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[113] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 – 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season’s growth, 15 – 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[78]. Layering in autumn[200].
Prefers a good moist soil with its roots in the shade and its top climbing into the light[200]. Succeeds in any soil in part shade[184]. Established plants are drought tolerant[190]. They succeed in dry shade, the cultivar ‘Halliana’ is especially recommended for such a situation[188]. Plants are hardy to about -20¡c[184]. The foliage can be damaged in severe wind-chill conditions but the plant usually recovers in the spring[202]. Fruit is only formed after a hot summer[202]. A rampantly growing plant[190], it climbs by twining around other plants[182] and makes an excellent screen for a north or east facing fence or an unsightly object[190]. This species has the potential to become a rampant weed, it has escaped from cultivation in N. America whre it can outcompete native species[274]. The plant has powerfully scented flowers. The white-flowered cultivar ‘Halliana’ has a pronounced lemon-like perfume[245]. There are several named varieties, developed for their ornamental value[182, 200].
E. Asia – China, Japan, Korea. Locally naturalized in Britain[50].

Become ungovernable, break the chains of the matrix; grow and forage your own food and medicine.

*None of the information on this website qualifies as professional medical advice. Take only what resonates with your heart and use your own personal responsibility for what’s best for you. For more information [brackets] [000], see bibliography.

As with ALL things; Take only what resonates with your heart and higher self, and leave the rest behind.

Repository of Divination tools, News, Elements, Spells, Rituals, Clearings, Entities, Ascension; Kitty is a magpie at heart, gathering information trinkets from everywhere and sharing them here in hopes that some might shine a light on your journey in this Incarnation. Please only take what resonates with your heart and leave the rest behind. Tionscadal Mo Chroi (Project of my heart) Lovingly curated by Kitty, bean draío leabharlannaí (Librarian Witch)

  • For any question, you can cast a handful or bag of Runes and read the meaning of the runes that land face up only.
  • You may cast them into a circle (drawn with chalk or as a pattern on a cloth). Read the runes that land inside the circle AND face up.
  • If The Eye (Witches Rune) or Tiwaz (Elder Futhark) appears amongst the runes when cast, pay extra attention to where the eye is looking or Tiwaz is pointing.
  • Pro Tip: You can also use runes just as you would the Tarot, with ANY tarot spread. Simply pull one at a time from your bag to fill the layout.

*while Witches’ and Elder Futhark are different sets of runes, (just as English and Gaelic are different languages) I use mine together;  my rune casts are “bilingual”. I have made the same choice in my online rune layouts. Alainn Tarot interactive includes both sets at the same time. 

These are plants that grow in my own yard or elements that I keep in stock personally, gathered in a single category for my own quick navigation.