Commonly Used Chinese Herb: Lian Qiao (Forsythia)

Lian Qiao (Forsythia) is also known as Huang Hua Tiao, Lian Ke, Qing Qiao, Luo Qiao, and Huang Qi Dan. The fruit is used in medicine. Lian Qiao is a Chinese herb that clears heat and detoxifies, primarily treating the initial stages of febrile diseases, wind-heat colds, fever, irritability, sore throat, and acute nephritis. It is bitter and cool in nature, and it enters the Heart, Liver, and Gallbladder meridians.

According to the Shennong Bencao Jing: It is indicated for cold and heat, mouse atrophy, scrofula, carbuncles, goiter, and heat accumulation. According to the Yao Xing Lun: It is indicated for unblocking the five lin, urinary obstruction, and clearing heat from the heart.

Functions:

1. It has heat-clearing and anti-inflammatory effects: Lian Qiao can resist various fevers caused by endotoxins and inhibit inflammatory exudation and edema. It has a certain cooling effect on both artificially induced fever in animals and normal animals. 2. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties: Lian Qiao exhibits significant antibacterial effects due to its active components, including Lian Qiao Fen, Lian Qiao Zhi Gan A, and volatile oils. It effectively resists fungi and inhibits influenza viruses, as well as having anti-endotoxin effects, effectively suppressing streptococci, cholera vibrio, typhoid bacilli, diphtheria bacilli, Escherichia coli, dysentery bacilli, and staphylococci. 3. It has effective liver-protective effects: Lian Qiao can lower transaminases, restore normal levels of liver glycogen and ribonucleic acid, and effectively reduce degeneration and necrosis of liver cells. 4. It has blood pressure-regulating effects: Lian Qiao lowers high blood pressure and has a significant elevating effect on low blood pressure, thus stabilizing blood pressure. 5. It has anti-allergic effects: Lian Qiao can be used for allergic diseases and immune disorders, such as allergic purpura, allergic dermatitis, pneumonia, and acute or chronic nephritis.

Clinical Applications:

① Treatment of acute nephritis: Take 6 qian of Lian Qiao, add water, and simmer over low heat until 150 ml is obtained. Divide into three doses before meals, with dosage adjusted for children. Depending on the condition, it can be taken continuously for 5-10 days, avoiding spicy foods and salt. In 8 patients, all had edema, with blood pressure ranging from 140-200/96-110 mmHg, and urine tests showed protein, granular casts, and red and white blood cells. After treatment, 6 cases of edema completely subsided, 2 cases showed significant improvement; blood pressure decreased significantly; urine tests turned negative in 6 cases, with 2 cases improving. ② Treatment of purpura: Take 6 qian of Lian Qiao, add water, and simmer over low heat to obtain 150 ml. Divide into three doses before meals, avoiding spicy foods. In the treatment of 1 case of thrombocytopenic purpura and 2 cases of allergic purpura, after 2-7 days of treatment, all skin purpura disappeared. The effect of Lian Qiao on this condition may be related to its high content of Yun Xiang Gai, which helps maintain normal capillary resistance and reduces capillary fragility and permeability; additionally, Lian Qiao seems to have desensitizing effects.Health Recipe:Fire-Clearing and Acne-Removing Tea

Since both Lian Qiao and Jin Yin Hua are cold in nature, they are both used to clear heat and detoxify, and are effective for conditions of excess heat in the body, such as acne. When combined with the liver-clearing effects of Bai Ju Hua, it is very suitable for consumption in summer.

Ingredients: 5 grams of Lian Qiao, 3 grams of Jin Yin Hua, 3 grams of Bai Ju Hua

Preparation:

(1) Crush Lian Qiao and Jin Yin Hua in a mortar, then mix with Bai Ju Hua and pack into a tea bag.

(2) Place the tea bag in a cup, pour in 300cc of hot water, and let it steep for 3-5 minutes before drinking. It can be steeped 4-5 times.

Lian Qiao Black Bean Soup

Ingredients: 50 grams each of red dates and black beans, 5 grams of Lian Qiao.

Preparation:

Wash the red dates and black beans, soak them in clean water for 30 minutes, do not change the soaking water, and directly cook them into porridge. Add Lian Qiao, start with high heat for 10-30 minutes, then switch to low heat until the black beans are soft.

Health Benefits: Clears heat and detoxifies, nourishes essence and promotes growth.

Reminder: Those with spleen and stomach deficiency, qi deficiency with fever, and those with abscesses that have ruptured and are of a light color should avoid taking this. Please follow medical advice!