Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
1:2 Ethanol/Distilled H2O Spagyric tincture of fresh organic honeysuckle flowers, with plant salts added.
Planetary ruler: Venus.

Physical effects*:
In traditional Chinese medicine, honeysuckle is known as Jin Yin Hua, translating to ‘gold silver flower’, literal indeed. That medicine system uses this herbs ‘cold’ and ‘sweet’ properties to disperse heat, clear toxicity and cool the blood – entering the lung, heart and stomach meridians. It is thus a very relevant herb for those suffering from allergies, fevers, infections, sore throats, carbuncles (infected patches of skin), boils, acne, erysipelas (superficial formations of cellulite) laryngitis and tonsilitis. In western terms, its actions are: Antifertility, antihyperlipidemic (fat lowering), antibacterial, anti-pyretic (fever reducing), anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunostimulant, hepaprotective (protects liver), detoxifying, cholagogue (induces the flow of bile), and haemostatic. There are many people who would swear by at is a go to remedy for sore throats, and it is of course valuable when one needs to clear infections in the lung, head and digestive regions, aiding in the expulsions of pus, and excess mucous. For those who often feel hot, restless, agitated, red in the face, inexplicably itchy or are displaying any other signs of excess heat (yang), this herb may be applicable. Excess heat can arise from overactivity, lack of rest, consumption of fried foods, exposure to hot weather, frequent arguments, toxin/disease build-up in the body which is necessitating an immune system ‘fight-back’, and more… I took this herb on a morning after having a very late night, wherein I had had many intense conversations and eaten fried food, right off the back of much work (potentially overactivity), and about 20 minutes after, pretty much as I was writing about what causes an excess of heat, I easily expectorated a large globule of yellow phlegm… maybe ‘too many details’ but it’s worth testifying its effectiveness.

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Emotional/Spiritual effects*:
Do you know those moments when you are on the road, and you round a bend to be confronted by a sight so beautiful that it makes you breath it all in, to then crack a big wide smile of deep gratitude and appreciation, exhaling in revelry… This plant brings that smile to your lungs. Natural ecstasy is the beacon for life, if ever there were a ‘destination’ in this continual journey, deep joy is it. When we take honeysuckle, we are eased in to suckling from the honey of life. This medicine is particularly apt for those may feel the need to restrict and limit their joy, that somehow have been conditions or traumatised in to subconsciously believing it is irresponsible or wrong to be beaming about nothing in particular and everything all at once… this medicine, with every inhale, suffuses the bloodstream with the scents of heaven, so that joy begins to be held and nourished in every corner of our being. That way, when life’s more challenging moments meet us, we are resonating and vibrating with solution, that our lungs can slowly bellow into the situation - filling our sails with the optimism and cheer to travel on. It also enables people who tend towards agitated, frustrated overthinking to take a breather, not to avoid their concerns but to approach them with a very useful light-heartedness and more abundant patience.  
 
Recommended Doseage: 5-7 drops 2-3 times a day.

Cautions/contraindications:
-Not suitable for those with weak digestion, or those who have running sores with watery discharges.
-Surgery: Honeysuckle may slow blood clotting, so it may be necessary to cease use 2 weeks before, through to 2 weeks after surgery.
-Anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications: Medications intended to thin blood and reduce clotting may increase the chances of excessive bleeding and easy bruising, including: aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.