Basic Introduction to Xiu Mountain Honeysuckle

The honeysuckle grows on semi-mountain slopes at an altitude of 800 to 1,200 meters, reaching about 1 meter in height, resembling a well-branched shrub.

Honeysuckle cultivation in Xiu County has a history of 10 years, ranking third in scale nationally, just behind Shandong and Henan provinces.

Authenticity Identification

How to identify different grades of honeysuckle. According to the national standard for honeysuckle goods, they are divided into four grades:

First Grade: The product is dry, with flower buds in a cupped shape, thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom, slightly curved, greenish-white in color, the calyx is thick and somewhat hard, giving a top-heavy feeling when held; it has a fragrant aroma and tastes sweet with a slight bitterness. Open flowers, broken buds, and yellow strips should not exceed 5%. No black strips, black tops, branches, leaves, impurities, insect damage, or mold.

Second Grade: Essentially the same as the first grade, except that open flowers do not exceed 5%, and broken buds and yellow strips do not exceed 10%.

Third Grade: The product is dry, with flower buds in a stick shape, thicker at the top and thinner at the bottom, slightly curved, greenish-white or yellowish-white in color, the calyx is thick and firm, giving a top-heavy feeling when held. It has a fragrant aroma and tastes sweet with a slight bitterness. Open flowers and black tops do not exceed 30%. No branches, leaves, impurities, insect damage, or mold.

Fourth Grade: The product is dry. It can contain both flower buds and open flowers, without color distinctions. Branches and leaves should not exceed 3%, no impurities, insect damage, or mold. Only by knowing how to identify honeysuckle can you ensure buying high-quality honeysuckle, which is better for treating illnesses.

Awards and Honors

In accordance with the Regulations on Agricultural Product Geographical Indications, the Xiu Mountain Tujia Autonomous County Agricultural Technology Service Center applied for geographical indication protection for the “Xiu Mountain Honeysuckle” agricultural product. After preliminary review, expert evaluation, and public announcement, it met the registration procedures and conditions for agricultural product geographical indications, and the Ministry of Agriculture decided to register it on November 27, 2009.

Tasting and Usage

Honeysuckle Licorice Decoction

Efficacy: Honeysuckle can clear heat and detoxify, while mint can promote lung function and clear lung heat.

Ingredients

Herbs: 30 grams of honeysuckle, 10 grams of licorice, 5 grams of mint

Preparation

1. Boil 1,500 ml of water with the herbs, then simmer for 5 minutes over low heat. Strain the liquid and remove the residue. This can be consumed as Tea.

2. Note from the Doctor: This tea is suitable for individuals with a lung-heat constitution, characterized by red skin and acne, a sensation of heat or pain, pustules, more pimples, and enlarged pores.