Insights into the Health-Promoting Properties and Nutraceutical and Food Applications of Lonicera japonica Thunb.

Lonicera japonica Thunb. (L. japonica), an edible medicinal plant that has been widely consumed in East Asian countries, including China, Japan, and Korea, for centuries, has long been regarded as a superior herb in traditional Chinese medicine and is an economically important crop commonly used in beverages, foods, and herbal medicines. Extensive studies have demonstrated that L. japonica possesses a broad spectrum of health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory, metabolic regulatory, and anti-endotoxin activities. This review comprehensively summarizes the distribution, cultivation, quality evaluation, cultivar identification, bioactive constituents, and health-promoting effects of L. japonica, while also highlighting key scientific questions that warrant further investigation. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the major pharmacological activities of L. japonica flowers—including anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects—are comprehensively discussed. This review provides an up-to-date scientific foundation and valuable insights to facilitate the continued development and diversified applications of L. japonica in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and functional food industries.