What is Lonicera japonica used for?
Recently, Lonicera japonica also has been employed extensively to prevent and treat some serious viral diseases of human and veterinary, such as SARS coronavirus, H1N1 (Swine) flu virus, and being called the ‘bouvardin’ (Jiao, 2009). It was taken to treat the exopathogenic wind-heat, epidemic febrile diseases, sores, carbuncles and some infectious diseases. At the same time, Lonicera japonica could be used as healthy food, cosmetics, ornamental groundcover, and so on.
What is Lonicera good for?
Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolia) is a group of flowering shrubs or vines. The flowers, seeds, berries, and leaves are used for medicine. Honeysuckle might decrease swelling and also have antiviral effects. It contains essential oils as well as antioxidants such as quercetin. Japanese honeysuckle grows in a variety of soil conditions. It thrives in full sun and is also shade tolerant.The currently accepted name for Japanese honeysuckle is Lonicera japonica Thunb.
Is Lonicera japonica poisonous to humans?
Human poisoning and health Japanese honeysuckle is toxic to humans, causing discomfort and irritation but is not life-threatening. The berries and leaves are poisonous if eaten, causing gastro-intestinal irritation. It irritates the skin and contact with the plant causes rashes. Japanese honeysuckle grows very quickly and easily escapes cultivation. It competes with native vegetation both aboveground (by twining around trees and shrubs) and belowground (by sending out runners, or stolons).To differentiate, Japanese honeysuckle has purple/black berries and natives have red or orange berries. Their flowers are at the tips of stems whereas those of Japanese honeysuckle are in the leaf axils.Japanese honeysuckle damages forest communities by out competing native vegetation for light, below- ground resources, and by changing forest structure. The vines overtop adjacent vegetation by twining about, and completely covering, small trees and shrubs.
What are the side effects of Lonicera japonica?
Ingesting Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), native to eastern Asia but now widespread in North America, can cause various symptoms including vomiting, respiratory failure, and convulsions when eaten in large quantities. Note: Honeysuckles can be a risk to human health. The berries of some honeysuckle species can be mildly poisonous to humans when consumed, producing symptoms such as nausea, rapid heartbeat, and vomiting.