Can Honeysuckle Tea Treat Rheumatic Diseases?

Jul 28, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, honeysuckle tea cannot treat rheumatic diseases. If patients with rheumatic diseases show symptoms of excessive internal heat (fire), they may consume a small amount of honeysuckle tea. However, long-term consumption should be avoided to prevent potential harm to the stomach and spleen caused by its cold nature. Patients must continue taking prescribed medications as directed by their doctors and should not substitute standard medical treatments with honeysuckle tea. If gastrointestinal discomfort occurs after consumption, they should stop drinking it immediately and consult a physician.

Generally speaking, honeysuckle tea cannot treat rheumatic diseases. Detailed analysis is as follows:

Honeysuckle tea mainly functions to clear heat and detoxify, and to disperse wind-heat. It is commonly used to relieve heat-related conditions such as wind-heat感冒 (common cold with heat symptoms), sore throat, and swelling. Its components neither inhibit the autoimmune reactions that cause rheumatic diseases nor improve joint swelling, stiffness, or deformity, nor can it stop the damage to joints, muscles, and other organs caused by the disease. Rheumatic diseases are often associated with autoimmune disorders, genetic factors, environmental factors, and more. Treatment requires professional approaches such as anti-inflammatory measures, immune regulation, and improvement of joint function. Simply drinking honeysuckle tea alone cannot achieve the therapeutic goals of controlling the disease or relieving symptoms.

If patients with rheumatic diseases show symptoms of excessive internal heat (fire), they may drink a small amount of honeysuckle tea. However, long-term consumption should be avoided to prevent the tea's cold nature from damaging the spleen and stomach. Patients should not stop taking prescribed medications, nor should they substitute honeysuckle tea for standard medical treatment. If gastrointestinal discomfort occurs after drinking the tea, consumption should be stopped immediately and a physician consulted.

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Is it suitable for people with excessive dampness to drink honeysuckle tea?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with excessive dampness in the body can consume honeysuckle tea in moderation. It is important to note that honeysuckle tea is relatively cold in nature and therefore not suitable for people with cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea. Even for suitable individuals, consumption should be controlled in terms of quantity and frequency, and long-term or excessive intake is not recommended. Due to the unique physical condition during fasting, drinking honeysuckle tea is not advised at such times.

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Can I drink honeysuckle tea if I have a cold or feel chilly?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with cold body constitution can适量 (appropriately) consume honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) in specific situations. When consuming honeysuckle, attention should be paid to avoiding excessive intake when brewing alone; a recommended amount is 3-5 grams per time, and it should not be consumed continuously for a prolonged period. It is advisable to brew it together with warming ingredients such as ginger or longan to neutralize its cold nature. During winter or when experiencing significant cold intolerance, the frequency of consumption should be reduced or discontinued.

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What kind of tea should one drink for damp-heat in the spleen and stomach?

Under normal circumstances, individuals with damp-heat in the spleen and stomach can regulate their condition by drinking teas that clear heat, resolve dampness, strengthen the spleen, and harmonize the stomach. Commonly recommended teas include coix seed and adzuki bean tea, aged tangerine peel and poria tea, honeysuckle tea, lotus leaf tea, and dandelion tea. In addition, individuals with damp-heat in the spleen and stomach should avoid drinking sweetened tea or strong tea, as these may exacerbate internal dampness.

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Damp-heat: What teas can help regulate it?

In general, individuals with a damp-heat body type can regulate their condition by drinking teas that have heat-clearing and dampness-resolving effects. Commonly recommended teas include honeysuckle tea, Poria tea, coix seed tea, tangerine peel and lotus leaf tea, dandelion tea, etc. In addition, individuals with a damp-heat constitution should avoid drinking strong tea, sweet tea, and other similar beverages, to prevent exacerbating internal dampness. At the same time, attention should be paid to maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates as作息 habits or作息 routines) in daily life.