The Medicinal & Emotional Powers Of Healing Honeysuckle

Healing Honeysuckle is seen as a useful aid in letting go of the past and moving forward with life.

“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen”

Thomas Gray

Though a mention of honeysuckle might evoke visions of summer’s lush and fragrant vines, this lovely climber has long been credited in Chinese medicine as a potent healer for winter’s maladies. The flowers are used to treat an assortment of bothersome ailments ranging from sore throat and flu to bronchitis and pneumonia.

According to The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. (Rodale Press, 1997), honeysuckle flowers contain more than two dozen antiseptic compounds, along with anti-viral properties useful in treating respiratory conditions. Duke recommends serving a blend of forsythia, lemon balm, and dried honeysuckle leaves taken off the vine as a hot tea at the first sign of a cold or flu.

Sometimes called woodbine in Celtic folklore, honeysuckle is often mentioned in connection with the lapwing bird, a member of the plover family. The flowers of the honeysuckle vine come in a variety of colors, and are said to attract wealth. Because of the way its climbing growth patterns mimic that of the ivy plant, reaching ever outward and upward, it is often attributed in tree and flower lore as a symbol of the search for one’s true self. Its gentle perfume has become a metaphor for joyfulness and bliss, and its strength is said to represent the ability to stay true to our own ideals and beliefs.

In the world of flower essences, honeysuckle is seen as a useful aid in letting go of the past, releasing memories, and moving forward with life. Flower essence practitioners often suggest honeysuckle as support for putting old regrets to rest and as an aid in accepting the aging process gracefully and without resistance. The essential oil derived from honeysuckle is believed to elicit the quality of courage and to grant safety. Honeysuckle’s sweet, uplifting scent has also made it a popular ingredient in soaps, creams, and perfumes.

Products:

Denham’s Natural Pure Body Care: a full line of soaps, lotions, body mist, and body oil made with honeysuckle (denhamsnatural.com).

Aubrey Organics: Honeysuckle Rose Shampoo and Conditioner (aubrey-organics.com).

Tom’s of Maine: Honeysuckle Shampoo and Honeysuckle Shaving Cream (tomsofmaine.com).

Bath & Body Works: Honeysuckle Body Lotion and Honeysuckle Splash (bathandbodyworks.com).

Pevonia Botanica: Spalasium Soap Honeysuckle (pevonia.com).

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Debra Bokur

For her entire adult life, Debra Bokur (debrabokur.com) has been on a worldwide adventure — much of it having to do with spas and wellbeing. An author, journalist, editor, screenwriter and illustrator based in Boulder, Colo., her national awards include a 2015 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. She’s the Digital Content Producer and feature writer for Global Traveler Magazine, and contributes to bespoke in-room publications for luxury hotel brands including Montage Magazine, Loews and Sea Island Life. She holds BA degrees in both English Literature and Theater, is a contributing author to the academic book Spreading the Word: Editors on Poetry (The Bench Press, 2001), and was the Poetry Editor for over a decade at the nationally acclaimed literary journal Many Mountains Moving. Along with training horses professionally in dressage and three-day eventing, her work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Shape, Yoga Journal, Fit Yoga, Body+Soul, Women’s Adventure, and a host of other national publications including many equestrian-specific magazines. Follow her on Twitter @SpaTravelPro and Instagram at debrabokur

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