Top Benefits and Uses of Honeysuckle for Skin and Health
Honeysuckle is orange in color and has a very sweet smell. There are about 200 species of honeysuckle, out of which 3 are well known for their health benefits and medicinal properties. They are Blue Honeysuckle, European Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle is rich in various nutrients and makes excellent health drinks when it is mixed with other herbs. Some of the herbs with which honeysuckle may be mixed are ginger root, mulberry, milk thistle, cowslip and Echinacea. From time immemorial, honeysuckle oils and flowers have been used in the traditional Chinese medicines.
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Different parts of the herb are used for treating different problems of the body. The three main parts of the herb that are used in medicine are the flowers, flower buds and the stem. Flowers are used to make expectorants that are used as a remedy for cough, asthma and as a diuretic. The flower buds of the plant are very important in traditional Chinese medicine. They are used to treat fever and other such conditions. They are excellent for treating various conditions caused due to summer heat. They also remove toxins from the body and the ‘fire poisons’.
Some of the Benefits of Honeysuckle for Skin are:
Acne and Skin Treatment:
Honeysuckle bath with its flowers and laves soaked in water is very relaxing and detoxifies your body. Some also use it to treat acne on the face.
Skin care benefits:
The antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of honeysuckle make it excellent for skin care treatments. It is used in the treatment of skin rashes, eczema, and allergies of the skin, blemishes and poison ivy.
It is also used to get relief from sun burns and other minor burns that occur on your skin.
Making Oils and Lotions:
Because of its sweet smell, honeysuckle oil is an important constituent in soaps, perfumed body oils, skin lotions and other cosmetics.
Health Benefits of Honeysuckle are:
Aroma therapy:
The aromatic oil that you extract from this herb is used in aromatherapy and is very useful in easing mental stress as well as physical stress. This oil extract makes your mind calm and at peace, allowing you to relax.
Gargles and mouth wash:
The astringent properties of honeysuckle, especially its leaves, make it a good choice for making gargles and mouthwash.
Headache relief:
Honeysuckle has great anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties that is very helpful in the treatment of severe headaches. If you have headache, boil one or two cups of water with two teaspoons of dried honeysuckle flowers or leaves for ten minutes and have the tea. It relieves you from headache naturally. It is also very effective in treating various infections of the intestine because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Improved immunity and fever treatment:
By taking hot honeysuckle tea with honey, you can enhance your immune system and prevent various diseases. It is a natural remedy for various ailments like common cold, flu etc. Drinking this tea also gives to immediate relief from high fever and helps you in the treatment of cough and sore throat. So if you are suffering from sore throat or cough, sip honeysuckle tea many times a day and your ailment will be treated naturally.
Maintains the level of blood sugar:
Honeysuckle helps you in keeping your blood sugar under control.
Natural detoxifier:
The oil extract of this herb acts as a natural detoxifier and cleans the liver and blood from heat, wind and toxins.
Protection against viral and bacterial infections:
The tea that you make from honeysuckle is said to contain many elements that help in elimination various germs that are responsible for causing strep, salmonella and tuberculosis.
Problem free digestive system:
Honeysuckle flower buds are very beneficial in treating various problems related with digestion. They are useful in the treatment of diarrhea or gastroenteritis that persists due to food poisoning or some other problems. Honeysuckle buds are fried slightly by stirring them continuously and then used in the treatment of diarrhea. Researchers have also shown that it is great for preventing breast cancer.
Relief from nausea:
People suffering from hepatitis C benefit a lot from drinking honeysuckle tea. It helps in reducing the nausea and the tendency to vomit in these patients.
It is used in the treatment of sores and swelling that affect the eyes, breast and the throat.
Silky Soft Hair:
Shampoos and conditioners to which the oil of honeysuckle is added, makes the hair soft and silky. Moreover, the oil also prevents your hair from getting brittle and dry, thus improving the texture of your hair.
Smooth respiratory system:
This herb is very useful in fighting infections of the bladder and helps in the smooth functioning of your respiratory system.
Treating Infections:
Honeysuckle helps in the removal of toxins from the body and is also used in treating various infections caused by staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria.
Honeysuckle is also known as ‘Honeyberries’ and ‘Haskap’ and is a storehouse of essential nutrients like minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates, dietary fibers and so on. Calcium, potassium, magnesium, Vitamin C, Rutin and Quercetin, all of which are needs for the body system to function smoothly, are contained in honeysuckle. In addition to these, it is also rich in some anti-oxidants and acids that are needed to reduce the actions of free radicals. This helps in making the process of ageing slow and reduces the risk of various cancers. It also prevents bacterial infections due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
Some people are allergic to honeysuckle. So before you use this herb, make sure that you are not allergic to the herb. When you apply the oil on your body, remember to dilute it and then apply it. Pregnant women are also advised not to have it as it may cause bleeding, which may harm the mother as well as the baby. People who have problems with the clotting of blood are also advised not to use it as it slows down the blood clotting process. Others can use this wonderful flower, its buds, stems and leaves, and enjoy the various benefits offered by the plant.
