Family: Honeysuckle or Caprifoliaceae
Ecology/ Botany:
This semi-woody perennial loves moisture and shade. It provides creeping ground cover in dry climatic regions in Montane Spruce and Interior Douglas Fir forest zones, and moist regions in Interior Cedar Hemlock zones.
Medicinal/ Other Uses:
Indigenous North Americans have used the whole plant as a tonic for pregnancy and painful menstruation, the twigs as a decoction for cramps or fever in children, and the leaves as a decoction for colds, or as a poultice for headaches and inflamed limbs. In Norway, it has been used as a treatment for Shingles. In Sweden, Finland, and Russia, it has been used as a treatment for Rheumatism.
As a flower essence, it has been used to help with sensory overload or feelings of confusion and overwhelm. Those who are sensitive to their environment and sensory stimuli could benefit from the grounding, soothing nature of these sweet-smelling, small flowers.