Today, let’s talk about a beautiful and magical plant—Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle). Many friends are likely familiar with Jin Yin Hua, especially in summer when many enjoy brewing a cup of Jin Yin Hua tea to cool off.
So, what are the magical effects of Jin Yin Hua? It is not just a simple “cool tea”! Today, we will unveil the mysteries of Jin Yin Hua and see how powerful it is in the world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)!
Basic Introduction to Jin Yin Hua
First, let’s get to know Jin Yin Hua. It is a plant that is both ornamental and medicinal. Its flowers are initially silvery-white and gradually turn yellow, hence the name Jin Yin Hua. It has several other names, such as Er Hua (Two Flowers), Shuang Hua (Double Flowers), and Yuan Yang Hua (Mandarin Duck Flower), due to its unique characteristic of blooming two colors on the same plant, creating a beautiful sight.
The entire plant can be used medicinally, but the most effective part is its flower buds, which are known as the “little fairy of the pharmacy.” In TCM, Jin Yin Hua is classified as a Jie Biao Yao (herb for dispelling exterior pathogens), primarily used to disperse wind-heat and clear heat and detoxify.
Main Effects of Jin Yin Hua
The properties of Jin Yin Hua are sweet and cold, primarily affecting the Fei (Lung), Xin (Heart), and Wei (Stomach) meridians. Its main effects are to clear heat and detoxify, and to disperse wind-heat. In other words, Jin Yin Hua is particularly suitable for addressing various symptoms of “excess heat,” such as influenza, sore throat, swollen gums, and skin sores.
Jin Yin Hua also has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. For instance, it is effective in treating common acute and chronic tonsillitis and periodontitis. Drinking Jin Yin Hua tea in summer can also help relieve heat-related issues, such as heat diarrhea and prickly heat.
Origin and Quality of Jin Yin Hua
Regarding the origin of Jin Yin Hua, it mainly comes from Shandong and Henan provinces. Among them, Shandong produces the largest quantity, while Henan is known for the best quality, especially the Mi Yin Hua (Mi County Honeysuckle) from Henan, which is renowned for its quality. When brewed, the flower buds can stand upright in water, which is a significant indicator of its quality.
Specific Effects of Jin Yin Hua
As mentioned earlier, Jin Yin Hua primarily clears heat and detoxifies, and disperses wind-heat. Specifically, it can treat a range of conditions such as carbuncles, sore throat, erysipelas, wind-heat colds, febrile diseases, and heat-toxicity related dysentery. The usual dosage is 6 to 15 grams.
Jin Yin Hua can also be made into a syrup, mainly used for heat-related thirst. It is important to note that Jin Yin Hua is a cold-natured herb, and patients with spleen and stomach deficiency, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or those with clear watery stools and cold extremities should avoid using it.
Clinical Combinations of Jin Yin Hua
In clinical practice, Jin Yin Hua is often used in combination with Lian Qiao (Forsythia), such as in the famous Yin Qiao San (Yin Qiao Powder), which is an excellent formula for treating acute infectious diseases. Yin Qiao San has shown good effects in treating respiratory infections, influenza, acute mastitis, bacterial diseases, traumatic infections, uterine erosion, and some conditions related to hypertension and hyperlipidemia.
Preparation and Effects of Jin Yin Hua Tea
Making Jin Yin Hua tea is quite simple; just brew the dried Jin Yin Hua with hot water. In ancient texts like the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica), Jin Yin Hua is listed as a superior herb, believed to promote longevity with prolonged use. Li Shi Zhen‘s Ben Cao Gang Mu also records that brewing Jin Yin Hua not only has high medicinal value but also promotes health and beauty, making it particularly popular among women.
Summer Medicinal Dishes with Jin Yin Hua
In summer, Jin Yin Hua can be used not only for tea but also in various medicinal dishes, such as porridge, soups, and desserts. Here are a few simple yet effective medicinal dishes using Jin Yin Hua.
Jin Yin Hua and Mint Drink
Ingredients: 30 grams of Jin Yin Hua, 10 grams of mint, 60 grams of fresh reed root.
Method: Boil Jin Yin Hua and reed root in water for about 15 minutes, then add mint and boil for another 3 minutes. Finally, strain the liquid and add sugar to taste. This drink can clear heat, cool the blood, detoxify, and quench thirst, making it especially suitable for those with wind-heat colds, early-stage febrile diseases, and high fever with thirst.
Honeysuckle and Lotus Seed Soup
Ingredients: 25 grams of Jin Yin Hua, 50 grams of lotus seeds.
Method: Soak the lotus seeds in warm water, remove the skin and core, then boil in a pot. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer until the lotus seeds are soft, then add Jin Yin Hua and cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, add sugar to taste. This soup has the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, strengthening the spleen, and stopping diarrhea.
Jin Yin Hua Porridge
Ingredients: 20 grams of Jin Yin Hua, 100 grams of japonica rice.
Method: First, boil Jin Yin Hua to extract the juice and strain it. Then, cook the japonica rice until half done, add the Jin Yin Hua juice, and continue cooking until it becomes porridge. This porridge has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, especially suitable for those with wind-heat colds and chronic bronchitis.
Precautions for Using Jin Yin Hua
Although Jin Yin Hua has many benefits, there are also some contraindications. Due to its cold nature, those with spleen and stomach deficiency, abdominal pain, diarrhea, excessive clear watery stools, and cold extremities should avoid using it. Jin Yin Hua is suitable for heat-related conditions, and it should only be used when symptoms match to achieve the desired health benefits; otherwise, it may worsen the condition.
Conclusion
Jin Yin Hua is not only a beautiful ornamental plant but also a medicinal herb with numerous benefits. It has significant effects in clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as in anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions, making it particularly suitable for treating various symptoms of “excess heat” and summer heat-related conditions.
Through brewing tea and preparing medicinal dishes, Jin Yin Hua can be widely applied in daily life to help us maintain health and wellness. However, care should be taken regarding its cold nature to avoid adverse reactions from improper use.