Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is traditionally used in various systems of East Asian medicine, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), to support liver health and treat symptoms associated with jaundice in adults. In TCM, honeysuckle is known as "Jin Yin Hua" and is valued for its "clearing heat" and "detoxifying" properties. Jaundice, understood as a manifestation of "damp-heat" in the liver and gallbladder, is sometimes addressed with honeysuckle as part of multi-herb formulas. Historical texts and pharmacopoeias note its use alongside other herbs for conditions presenting with yellowing of the skin and eyes, which are clinical hallmarks of jaundice.

However, scientific validation for honeysuckle’s effectiveness in treating jaundice in adults is limited. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that honeysuckle contains compounds with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and some hepatoprotective effects, but these studies are generally preliminary, conducted in vitro or in animal models, and do not specifically address jaundice in clinical settings. There is a lack of high-quality human clinical trials that establish its efficacy for this indication. Therefore, while its use for jaundice is deeply rooted in traditional practice, current scientific evidence directly supporting this application is weak. As such, the evidence rating for its use in adult jaundice is 2/5, reflecting strong traditional but only marginal scientific support.

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