The two species that were most often recommended for medicinal purposes are L. periclymenum (woodbine, wild or common honeysuckle) Has whorls of very fragrant, creamy-white to yellow, tubular two-lipped flowers, followed by red berries. L. Capri folium (Italian, Dutch or per foliate honey-suckle) has upper leaves surrounding the stem and creamy-white to pink flowers. Both are fully hardy, L. periclymenum grows to 7 m (23 ft.), L. Capri folium to 6 m (19 ft.). L. japonica Japanese honeysuckle) often has violet-tinged white flowers, which are followed by black berries.
History and traditions
Various species of honeysuckle have been used since ancient Greek times for their medicinal properties. Dioscorides is quoted by Gerard as recommending the seeds for “removing weariness” and “helping the shortness and difficulty of breathing” and syrup of the flowers for diseases of lung and spleen. Little used medicinally today, honeysuckle keeps its place in the herb garden as a fragrant climber, memorably described by Shakespeare as the “lush woodbine” and “sweet honeysuckle” which “over-canopied” Titanic’s bower (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). The name honeysuckle comes from the old practice of sucking the sweet nectar from the flowers.
Growth
Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Propagated by seed sown in late summer to autumn in containers and overwintered in a cold frame, or by semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer. Prune out straggly or overgrown branches.
Parts used
Flowering stems.
Uses
Medicinal
Capri folium and L. periclymenum were formerly used for their expectorant, laxative properties. L. japonica (jin yin hua) is used in traditional Chinese medicine for clearing toxins from the system.
