Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) is the dried flower bud or early blooming flower of the plant Loniceraceae (Lonicera japonica). It is also known as Rén Dōng Huā (忍冬花), Shuāng Huā (双花), Èr Huā (二花), and Yín Huā (银花). This herb is distributed throughout various regions in China and is harvested in early summer before the flowers bloom. It is then dried in the shade.
【Prescription Name】 Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) and Jin Yin Hua Tan (Honeysuckle Charcoal)
【Properties】 Sweet, Cold. It enters the Lu (肺), Xīn (心), and Wèi (胃) meridians.
【Functions】 Clears heat and detoxifies, disperses wind-heat.
Clinical Applications
1. Used for abscesses and sores. This herb is cold in nature and can clear heat and detoxify, disperse abscesses, and reduce swelling, making it essential for treating all internal abscesses and external sores with Yang characteristics. It can be combined with Zào Jiǎo Cì (Soapberry Thorn), Bái Zhǐ (Angelica Dahurica), etc., to treat early-stage abscesses with redness, swelling, and pain, such as in Xiān Fāng Huó Mìng Yǐn; with Zǐ Huā Dì Dīng (Viola yedoensis), Pú Gōng Yīng (Dandelion), and Yě Jú Huā (Wild Chrysanthemum) to treat sores that are hard and deeply rooted, as in Wǔ Wèi Xiāo Dú Yǐn; with Dì Yú (Sanguisorba), Huáng Qín (Scutellaria baicalensis), etc., to treat intestinal abscesses and abdominal pain, as in Qīng Cháng Yǐn; and with Yú Xīng Cǎo (Houttuynia cordata), Lú Gēn (Reed Root), etc., to clear the lungs and expel pus, treating lung abscesses with cough and expectoration of pus and blood.2. Used for external wind-heat and febrile diseases. This herb is cold, light, and aromatic, dispersing both wind-heat from the lung meridian and clearing heat from the heart and stomach to detoxify. It is a key herb for treating external wind-heat and febrile diseases affecting the Wei, Qi, and Ying levels. For febrile diseases affecting the Wei level, it is used with Lián Qiáo (Forsythia) as in Yín Qiáo Sǎn; with Shí Gāo (Gypsum) and Zhī Mǔ (Anemarrhena) to treat heat in the Qi level; combined with Shēng Dì Huáng (Rehmannia), Shuǐ Niú Jiǎo (Water Buffalo Horn), Huáng Lián (Coptis), etc., to treat heat entering the heart and Ying level, as in Qīng Yíng Tāng, where this herb has the function of penetrating the Ying and transforming Qi; and with Xiāng Lèi (Aromatic Buds), Hòu Pò (Magnolia Bark), Lián Qiáo, etc., to treat summer heat, as in Xīn Jiā Xiāng Lèi Yǐn.3. Used for heat-toxicity and bloody dysentery. This herb clears heat and detoxifies, cools the blood, and stops dysentery. It can be taken alone as a concentrated decoction for immediate effect or combined with Bái Tóu Wēng (Pulsatilla), Huáng Lián, Qín Pí (Ailanthus), etc., to enhance the effect of stopping dysentery.
Additionally, it can be made into Jin Yin Hua Lu (Honeysuckle Dew), which can clear heat and relieve summer heat, used for summer heat thirst and children’s heat sores, prickly heat, and other symptoms.
【Dosage】 Decoction, 6-15g.
【Herbal Application】 Fresh Jin Yin Hua is used to disperse wind-heat and clear internal heat; Jin Yin Hua Tan is used for heat-toxicity and bloody dysentery; Jin Yin Hua Lu is used to relieve summer heat and avoid filth.
【Cautions】 Avoid use in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency-cold and in cases of yin-type sores with thin pus.
Source: “Traditional Chinese Medicine” (5th Edition)
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