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I had known Red Clover (Trifolium pratenseas) as one of the women's herbs for a long time but it wasn't until I tried it that I really appreciated how gentle, tender but effective this plant was.


It is one of the most utilised plants across the globe, cultures and traditions.


It is considered women's herb as it is essentially Yin in nature although it is holding Yin to nourish Yang. It is associated with Bladder and Kidney (Water element) and Lungs and Large Intestine (Metal element). Hence it goes deep to ancor and hold energy (Qi) and essence (Jing) in our body just as it fixes nitrogen into the land. Nitrogen is an element that builds strong roots of any plant.


So, it nourishes body fluids, from vaginal dryness, dry cough, dry skin to brain function and memory. By clearing the fluids it is also diuretic.


As it has a balancing effect on body fluids, it balances hormones, and quenches the menopausal hot flashes. In reality, it aids both female and male hormones. It is particularly useful in peri-menopause phase for women and in early signs of prostate disfunction for men.


Since it clears blood, it clears skin problems, including chronic conditions such as eczema and skin cancers.

As you may have noticed it works on both lymph and blood, which is rare to see in one herb. It is synergetically working with the Yin and Yang liquids of the body.


It is so gentle in detoxing both fluids and blood that I would consider it as the first herb to take in the detox program.


It is even neutral in its temperature, although some say it is slightly cooling due to its Yin nature.


There is a numerical curiosity about this plant. It comes only in two distinct colours, white or red, it is largely presented with three leaves but on rare occasions (apparently one in a thousand) it presents four leaves. Numerological links then are 2, 3 and 4. Two represents Yin and Yang; three represents completion and change; four represents Earth and stability.

So, Clover has it all. The energy of equilibrium, the capacity to change (your fortune perhaps) and gives a grounding and strength to four limbs. Therefore, it can be used in situations that are destabilising, to feel more sustained, supported, calm and at the same time able to change in a balanced way. It is a kind of an energetic rescue remedy.

These are pretty powerful energetics for one tiny, common plant.


Doing a numerological I Ching on 234 number, it comes up as the Lake trigram, which is the Metal element. The plant numbers further confirm its energetic function.


To find out more...



 






I am rather amazed at the extent of scientific research available on Lonicera japonica and the list of its benefits for symptoms related to both acute and chronic diseases. Not all plants get as much attention and are that versatile. And despite that, seems like no-one talks about Lonicera! So, I decided to write and share some knowledge about it.


At my herbal medicine course my master of Classical Chinese Medicine mentioned how much attention Honeysuckle had got since Covid. It immediately struck out for me as it happened to grow in a green hedge near my house. It is an easy plant to remember too with its gorgeous flowers and captivating smells. So, I gave it a go.


I gathered its flowers, young leaves and its stems and dried them in room temperature. When I came down with a flu, I prepared a decoction and drank it twice a day. The effect on body aches was particularly noticeable, including lowering of fever. The overall feeling of being soothed in body aches was very wholesome. It has not delivered that well on phlegm expectorant side, but that could be helped with some other plants, such as Eucalyptus.


There are some curiosities about Honeysuckle. It's chinese name is Jin Yin Hua which means the Gold Silver Flower. Already the name suggests it is Yin and Yang balancing (Gold being Yang and Silver being Yin). In fact, it balances the heat in the body with the aumented urination which it replaces with extra production of liquids. It has an affinity with Lungs (reduces heat in acute condition), Bladder (augments urination) and Stomach (decoction is really sweet and its flowers are said to have a "mouthwatering" scent).


It is believed to have been imported to Europe from Japan (hence the name) and it has become a very "successful" invasive plant. It is known that non-indigenous plants, if they manage to thrive really well in a new environment, are indicative of their energetic force. Honeysuckle probably has its secret to its success. It is probably due to its double pollination that it is spreading and surviving that well. It attracts day time insects with its flowers and night time moths with its evening scent. It could be the reason for its Chinese name too, the Gold and Silver Flower; spreads its pollen in the sunshine (gold) and in the moonlight (silver).


Traditionally, it has been used since classical times. It is the leading herb in the Yin Qiao San formula. Before the era of antibiotics, Yin Qiao San was used for acute upper respiratory infections. In fact, I find much good coverage Honesuckle has got since Covid! Looking at its chemical composition, in the list of many I read it includes the famous Quercetin (for who follows the anti-covid protocols) at a relatively good bioavailability:


Although it's most frequent use is in acute febrile conditions, Lonicera j. is also used in reducing heat in chronic (including cancer) and autoimmune conditions. It performs double role, one of getting rid of heat (such as inflammation) through urination but at the same time aids regenerating the liquids through its Stomach affinity.

Some highlighted actions of Lonicera j. include:

"anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidative and hepatoprotective activities"


One study has tested the Yin Qiao San formula, with Honeysuckle as the leading herb, as an alternative to paracetamol and NSAIDs in children, with good results too:


So, you only have to try it out for yourselves. Although the flowering season for Honeysuckle is in June, one can also collect the young leaves. In alternative, you can buy dry herb or the ready Yin Qiao San formula and keep it for times when the fever or inflammation strikes.

 


Thank you for joining in!

​© 2023 by Dorota Kowal. All rights reserved.

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