Honeysuckle Tea - A Taste of Summertime!

As I sit, writing to you today, I’m sipping on a cuppa Honeysuckle Tea.

Yes, I said Honeysuckle Tea. The plant is in bloom throughout our area, and it is actually in abundance. With its heady fragrance and beautiful appearance, it can be seen anywhere from parks and parkways to beautifully cultivated backyards. The flower itself brings me back to my childhood, when my father, sister and I were waiting for my mother to come out of her doctor’s office. Dad introduced us to the trumpet-like blossoms, by showing us how to bite off the ends and drink the nectar. I must have stood there, picking flowers and biting off the ends, for what seemed like forever to my six year old mind. But I was hooked on the taste, the thick aroma that ensconced the bush, and their cascading natural beauty.  I loved honeysuckles; I grew up on a street called Honeysuckle Road, so it seems to have been predestined that I love the flower! In my adult years, I sought again the honeysuckle bush, enjoying their sweet taste, until my husband planted two bushes in our yard. I have educated my daughter since her youth on the extraction of the wonderful sweetness. Thanks to my husband’s thoughtfulness, we are able to enjoy the fragrance  as it wafts through our open windows, and bathes us in the glorious scents of summertime.

Did I mention that I love honeysuckles? All the more reason for me to truly enjoy a good cup of honeysuckle tea.

The flowers and leaves of the honeysuckle plant may be brewed and steeped, in order to bring out all of the flavors and aroma of the blooms, and to reap the benefits of the honeysuckle itself. Barring any allergies to the plant, it is incredibly healthy for you, in small quantities. The leaves and flowers are used to brew tea, but the berries are poisonous, and should never be consumed. A word of caution: There are 180 varieties of honeysuckle out there, and some varieties are considered highly toxic. Such varieties should never be considered to brew tea (said Captain Obvious).

Honeysuckles contain Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Vitamin C. They also contain Rutin, which is a nutrient that enhances Vitamin C’s effectiveness. They are also great sources of Quercetin, which is an acid that fights free radicals in the body. Ancient Chinese medicine supports the use of honeysuckle tea to fight many illnesses.

Honeysuckle tea is known for its detoxifying effects on the body. It has been found to treat sore throats, asthma, fever, and swelling. It has been proven to also inhibit bacteria caused by Staph, Streptococcus, Salmonella and even Tuberculosis. It assists in reducing or eliminating a headache,  helps to fight urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and helps to ease nausea and vomiting that are associated with Hepatitis C. The tea has a mildly fragrant bouquet, and is incredibly gentle on the belly. It also has a very soothing taste, which is a welcome change from my normal routine of a cup of Starbucks’ coffee in the morning. Applied externally, it is used to relieve the redness and swelling of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and even itching from a bug bite.

In order to brew yourself a cup of tea, you will need the following items:

• One cup wild honeysuckle flowers, cleaned thoroughly

• One kettle to boil water

Over high heat, bring the water in the kettle to a rolling boil. When the water is boiling, add the flowers and reduce the heat to a simmer for approximately ten to fifteen minutes. Set the kettle aside, and allow it to cool completely before consuming. You may add a little bit of honey, sugar, stevia or agave to sweeten the tea. I take mine straight. That’s all there is to it!

The most important aspect of this entire process is to be certain that the variety that you have gathered is not considered poisonous. The second most important aspect of brewing your own tea is that you must be diligent about cleaning the flowers, to ensure that you have effectively removed any trace of pesticides. If you are in doubt, you can go to any health food store, such as Fairway, Whole Foods, or your local market, to purchase a box of this wonderful stuff. Since honeysuckle tea is also frequently used by Chinese herbalists, you can find a box of the tea at your local Asian market. It’s also available on Amazon.com, in tea bags as well as loose leaves. Inkos brand makes a lovely honeysuckle and white tea beverage, which can be consumed cold.

As previously mentioned, the berries of all honeysuckle plants are considered toxic, and should never be consumed, under any circumstance. There are 180 varieties of honeysuckle, and many contain poisonous properties. Saponin, which is a foaming glucoside, is toxic in large quantities, so it is recommended that no more than two cups of the tea be consumed daily. The plant should never be given to animals, especially dogs, for it can make them severely ill, or cause coma and death. For this reason, you must keep your honeysuckle plant out of the area where your dog frequents; the nectar of the flower is incredibly sweet, and is a great temptation to curious animals. It is not toxic to foraging animals or birds, who regularly enjoy the flowers, leaves and berries. However, to domestic animals, it is a very real danger.

Honeysuckle tea is a wonderful addition to your diet, especially if you are looking to detoxify your body. While this article is by no means a substitute for medical advice, it is advised that you should consult your physician, before beginning any herbal treatments. If you are allergic to certain flowers, you should also refrain from using honeysuckle tea. If you are not allergic and you receive the “all-clear” from your doctor, drinking honeysuckle tea is a fabulous way to begin the road to health naturally!