Japanese honeysuckle flower

Lonicera japonica

Other names: 金银花 / 金銀花 jīnyínhuā; 忍冬藤 rěndōngténg, Japanese honeysuckle flower

Edible plant

Chinese

Photo credit: Aftabbanoori

Toxicity: Flower/nectar generally low toxicity. All parts other than flower nectar potentially toxic in very large quantities due to saponins.

Contraindications: Pregnancy/clinical data limited.

Interactions: Not well characterized.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Data limited.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

infusion/decoction · flower bud

Part used: flower bud

Traditional use: clear heat and resolve toxicity; febrile/inflammatory and warm-disease patterns, cold/influenza formulas

Proposed mechanism: chlorogenic acid, luteolin, iridoid and secoiridoid glycosides

Evidence:Preclinical

extract · flower bud

Part used: flower bud

Evidence:Preclinical

Edible parts: Flowers/nectar edible (sweet nectar); flower buds used as tea.

Many Lonicera species have toxic berries - do NOT eat honeysuckle berries; plant is a noxious invasive in many regions.

Functional tea/edible flower; phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic), flavonoids (luteolin), iridoid glycosides.

Chinese

Sources (2)

Lonicera japonica (Wikipedia), English, accessed 2026, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonicera_japonica
Shang et al., Lonicera japonica Thunb.: Ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacology, J Ethnopharmacol 2011, PMC7127058