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Daily Learning of a Chinese Herb – Lian Qiao
Reprint, Daily Learning of a Chinese Herb – Lian QiaoAi Yi Jing LuoAdded to Top StoriesEnter comment Video Details
Lian Qiao – Plant of the Oleaceae Family
Category:
Plant
Lian Qiao (Latin name: Forsythia suspensa): A deciduous shrub belonging to the Oleaceae family. Lian Qiao flowers in early spring before the leaves, with fragrant, bright yellow flowers that cover the branches, making it an excellent ornamental shrub for early spring. It can grow up to 3 meters tall, with branches that are clustered, yellowish, and arching downwards, hollow. The leaves are opposite, either simple or trifoliate, ovate or ovate-elliptic, with serrated edges. The flower corolla is yellow, with 1-3 flowers blooming in the leaf axils; the fruit is ovoid, ovate-elliptic, or long-elliptic, with a beak-like tip and a surface with sparse pores; the fruit stalk is 0.7-1.5 cm long. The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruiting period is from July to September. It grows in shrublands, under forests, or in grasslands on slopes, or in sparse forests in valleys and ravines, at altitudes of 250-2200 meters. The fruit can be used medicinally. It is produced in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, western Anhui, Henan, Hubei, and Sichuan in China.
Basic Information
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Chinese Name
Lian Qiao
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Scientific Name
Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl,
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Family
Oleaceae
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Kingdom
Plantae
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Phylum
Angiosperms
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Class
Dicotyledons
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Subclass
Rosids
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Order
Scrophulariales
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Suborder
Oleaceae
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Family
Oleaceae
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Subfamily
Oleaceae
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Genus
Forsythia
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Species
Lian Qiao
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Distribution Area
Liaoning, Hebei, Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Hubei, Jiangxi, Yunnan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, etc.
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Suborder
Oleaceae
Extended Reading
Compendium of Materia Medica – Lian Qiao More>>
CorrectionIncorporated into the famous but unused “Ben Jing” Qiao root.
Explanation of NameLian (from “Er Ya”), Yi Qiao (from “Er Ya”), Han Lian Zi (from “Yao Xing”), Lan Hua (from “Ben Jing”), root name Lian Yao (Zhong Jing), Zhe Gen Gong said: It resembles a lotus forming a house, standing out among the grass, hence the name. The sect says: Lian Qiao does not stand out among the grass. It is abundant in the valleys of Taishan. When its seeds are broken, they resemble the protruding parts of the grass, hence the name. According to Shi Zhen, “Er Ya” states: Lian, Yi Qiao. Thus, the original name is Lian, also known as Yi Qiao, and people collectively refer to it as Lian Qiao. Lian Yao is also known as Lian Tiao, which is the inferior Qiao root in “Ben Jing”. The Tang Dynasty’s Su Gong’s “Revised Materia Medica” included it in the famous but unused category, now combined as one. Han Lian is a small Qiao, which people mistakenly think is a fish intestine, hence the same name.
Collection and Interpretation“Bie Lu” states: Lian Qiao grows in the valleys of Taishan, harvested in August, and dried in the shade. Hong Jing states: It is found everywhere. Now, the stem, flower, and fruit are used. Gong says: There are two types of this herb: large Qiao and small Qiao. Large Qiao grows in low wetland, with narrow long leaves like water mint, and lovely yellow flowers, producing seeds resembling unripe fruits, protruding among the grass. The small Qiao grows on hills, with leaves, flowers, and fruits all resembling the large Qiao but smaller and finer. People in the southern mountains use both, but now Chang’an only uses the large Qiao seeds, not the stem or flower. Song states: Now near Bianjing and Hezhong, Jiangning, Run, Zi, Ze, Yan, Ding, Yue, and Li provinces, and Nankang army all have it. There are two types: large Qiao grows in low wetland or on hills, with green leaves narrow and long, like elm leaves or water mint, with red stems, growing three to four feet tall, single-stemmed, with yellow flowers blooming at the tips in autumn, producing seeds resembling lotus. The southern variety has narrow and small leaves, short stems, only one to two feet tall, with yellow flowers and black seeds inside, also known as Han Lian, used by southern people for flowers and leaves. Now southern doctors say there are two types of Lian Qiao: one resembles unripe fruits, with a small hard shell and no calyx, when cut open, it is hollow inside, with a very fragrant aroma, its seeds fall off easily, not attached to the stem; the other resembles a lotus, with a soft shell, has a calyx surrounding it, and is not hollow, nor fragrant, even if dried for a long time, it remains attached to the stem. This is very different; this type is abundant in the southern wetlands. The one resembling unripe fruits comes from Shu, and is superior to the southern variety. According to the Materia Medica, the Shu variety is also superior, but its stem and leaves have not been seen.
Taste and PropertiesBitter, neutral, non-toxic. Element states: It is cool and bitter, with a light and floating taste, rising and yang. It is used by rubbing in hand. Good ancient texts say: It is yin among yang. It enters the hand and foot Shao Yang and hand Yang Ming meridians, and also enters the hand Shao Yin meridian. Shi Zhen states: Slightly bitter, spicy.
Main UsesCold and heat, lymphatic swelling, carbuncles, ulcers, tumors, and heat toxins (“Ben Jing”). Expels white worms (“Bie Lu”). Unblocks the five lin, treats urinary obstruction, clears heart heat (Zhen Quan San, various blood stasis and qi accumulation, reduces swelling (Li Gao). Clears heart fire, eliminates spleen and stomach damp-heat, treats blood disorders in the middle, used as a guide (Zhen Heng Hun Hun).
DiscoveryElement states: Lian Qiao has three uses: to clear heart heat, to eliminate upper jiao heat, and as a holy medicine for sores. Gao states: Among the twelve meridian sore medicines, this is indispensable, meaning it disperses what is congealed. Good ancient texts say: It is a medicine for hand and foot Shao Yang, treating sores, ulcers, tumors, and nodules effectively, similar to Chai Hu, but differing in qi and blood. It is used together with mouse glue for treating sores, with unique efficacy. Shi Zhen states: Lian Qiao resembles a human heart, with two pieces combined, and has a very fragrant kernel, being the main medicine for the heart fire, hence a holy medicine for the twelve meridian sores, and also treats the heat of the qi in the hand and foot Shao Yang and hand Yang Ming meridians.
Attached FormulasOld one, new two. Lymphatic tuberculosis: Lian Qiao, Zhi Ma in equal parts, ground into powder, taken regularly. (“Simple Formulas”) For neck and edge knife, belonging to the Shao Yang meridian: Use 2 jin of Lian Qiao, 1 jin of Qu Mai, 3 liang of Da Huang, and 0.5 liang of Gan Cao. Each use 1 liang, boil with 1.5 bowls of water, reduce to 7 parts, take hot after meals. After ten days, moxibustion at the Lin Qi point for two sets of seven, effective in sixty days. (Zhang Jie Gu “Vital Methods”) For hemorrhoids swelling and pain: Lian Qiao decoction for fumigation and washing, then apply green vitriol mixed with musk. (“Collection of Verified Formulas”)
Stem and Leaves
Main UsesHeart and lung heat accumulation (Shi Zhen).
Qiao Root
Taste and PropertiesSweet, cold, neutral, slightly toxic. Pu states: Shen Nong, Lei Gong: sweet, toxic. Li Dang Zhi: bitter. Good ancient texts say: Bitter, cold.
Main UsesReduces heat qi, benefits yin essence, makes the face radiant, brightens the eyes. Long-term use lightens the body and resists aging (“Ben Jing”). Used for steaming drinks for patients (“Bie Lu”). Treats febrile diseases with stagnant heat (Shi Zhen).
Discovery“Ben Jing” states: Qiao root grows in Song Gao Ping Ze, harvested in February and August. Hong Jing states: No formulas are used, and people are unaware. Good ancient texts say: This is the Qiao root. It can reduce heat qi, hence Zhang Zhongjing treats febrile diseases with stagnant heat inside, using Ma Huang, Lian Yao, and Chi Xiao Dou Decoction. The note states: This is the Qiao root.
Attached FormulasNew one. For carbuncles and swelling toxins: Lian Qiao grass and root each one sheng, with 1 dou and 6 sheng of water, boil to extract 3 sheng for sweating. (“Secret Essentials”)
Expand
| Directory |
1 Morphological Characteristics 2 Growth Habits 3 Geographic Distribution |
4 Species Classification 5 Reproductive Methods 6 Cultivation Techniques |
7 Pest Control 8 Main Values 9 Plant Culture |
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FoldMorphological Characteristics
Lian Qiao
Deciduous shrub. The branches are spreading or drooping, brown, brownish-yellow, or light yellow-brown, with young branches yellowish or gray-brown, slightly quadrangular, sparsely covered with pores, with hollow internodes and solid nodes.
The leaves are usually simple or trifoliate, with leaf blades ovate, broad-ovate, or ovate-elliptic, 2-10 cm long, 1.5-5 cm wide, with a sharp tip, and a rounded, broad wedge-shaped to wedge-shaped base, with serrated edges except at the base, deep green above and light yellow-green below, glabrous on both sides; petioles are 0.8-1.5 cm long, glabrous.
The flowers are usually solitary or in clusters of 2 to several in the leaf axils, blooming before the leaves; the flower stalk is 5-6 mm long; the calyx is green, with lobes that are long oval or long oval-shaped, 5-7 mm long, with blunt or sharp tips, with fringed edges, nearly equal in length to the corolla tube; the corolla is yellow, with lobes that are inverted ovate or long oval, 1.2-2 cm long, 6-10 mm wide; in the flowers with a pistil length of 5-7 mm, the stamens are 3-5 mm long, and in the flowers with a stamen length of 6-7 mm, the pistil is about 3 mm long.
The fruit is ovoid, ovate-elliptic, or long-elliptic, 1.2-2.5 cm long, 0.6-1.2 cm wide, with a beak-like tip, and a surface with sparse pores; the fruit stalk is 0.7-1.5 cm long.
The flowering period is from March to April, and the fruiting period is from July to September.
FoldGrowth Habits
Lian Qiao Lian Qiao prefers sunlight and has a certain degree of shade tolerance; it thrives in warm, humid climates but is also cold-resistant; it tolerates drought and poor soil but is sensitive to waterlogging; it can grow in neutral, slightly acidic, or alkaline soils.
It can grow in dry sunny slopes or in soil cracks, even on weathered bedrock or purple sandy shale. Lian Qiao has a developed root system, although the main root is not very prominent, its lateral roots are thick and long, with many fibrous roots that spread widely around the main root, greatly enhancing its absorption and soil-fixing ability; Lian Qiao is very cold-resistant, able to withstand temperatures as low as -50°C after cold training, making it an excellent choice for landscaping in northern regions; Lian Qiao has strong sprouting ability and can quickly expand its distribution area. Therefore, Lian Qiao has very strong vitality and adaptability.
Experiments show: Lian Qiao can grow normally at altitudes of 250m-2200m, with average temperatures of 12.1°C-17.3°C, absolute maximum temperatures of 36°C-39.4°C, and absolute minimum temperatures of -4.8°C-14.5°C, but it grows best in sunny, deep, fertile, and moist conditions.
FoldGeographic Distribution
In China, it is produced in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, western Anhui, Henan, Hubei, and Sichuan. It grows in shrublands, under forests, or in grasslands on slopes, or in sparse forests in valleys and ravines, at altitudes of 250-2200 meters. Lian Qiao is cultivated in all regions of China except for southern China, and it is also cultivated in Japan.
FoldSpecies Classification
FoldSpecies Differences
Lian Qiao The main differences between Lian Qiao and Ying Chun:
1) Ying Chun belongs to the Oleaceae family, Jasmine genus, with a bushy appearance, shorter stature, and arching, drooping branches.
Lian Qiao belongs to the Oleaceae family, Forsythia genus, with a taller stature, and branches that do not droop easily.
2) Ying Chun has green young branches, while Lian Qiao’s young branches are darker, generally light brown.
3) Ying Chun’s branches are solid, with plate-like pith; Lian Qiao’s branches are hollow without pith.
4) Ying Chun has trifoliate leaves, while Lian Qiao has simple or trifoliate opposite leaves.
5) Ying Chun’s leaves grow symmetrically in a cross shape, are smaller, ovate-elliptic, entire, and have a narrow pointed tip.
Lian Qiao’s leaves are ovate, broad-ovate, or ovate-elliptic, larger, with serrated edges except at the base.
6) Ying Chun has six petals, while Lian Qiao has only four petals.
7) Ying Chun rarely produces fruit, while Lian Qiao flowers produce fruit.
FoldSubspecies Variants
Hairy Lian Qiao (variant) Forsythia suspensa f. pubescens Rehd.: This variant differs from the original variant in that its young branches, petioles, and leaf surfaces are covered with short soft hairs, while the undersides of the leaves are covered with soft hairs or short soft hairs, especially along the leaf veins. The flowering period is in April.
FoldReproductive Methods
FoldLayering Method
In spring, lower the branches and bury them in the soil, and cut them off the following spring for planting.
Generally, cuttings are the main method of propagation, and the potting soil should be well-drained and fertile; after cutting, place the pots in a sunny location.
After each flowering season, it is necessary to prune dead branches, weak branches, and overly dense or old branches, while also paying attention to fertilizing around the roots.
FoldCutting Method
Lian Qiao can be cut in the autumn after leaf fall or before bud break in spring, but spring is preferred, generally more in the southern regions with early spring outdoor cuttings, while in the northern regions, cuttings are more common in summer.
Choose healthy branches that are 1-2 years old, cut them into 20-30 cm long cuttings, with the upper cut 0.8 cm above the first node, and the cuttings should preferably have 2-3 nodes, with the lower end near the node cut flat.
Soak the base of the cuttings about 1-2 cm in 500 ppm ABT rooting powder or 500-1000 ppm indolebutyric acid solution for 10 seconds, then dry.
When inserting the cuttings, insert them at an angle, burying them about 18-20 cm deep in the soil, leaving the top node above the ground, then cover and compact the soil.
During dry weather, water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not too wet, otherwise, the buried part of the cuttings may rot.
With proper management, the cutting success rate can reach up to 90%, and with enhanced field management, the seedlings can reach over 50 cm in height by autumn, ready for planting in the following spring.
FoldDivision Method
Division is generally done after frost or before spring bud break.
Dig out young shoots that have emerged from the side of trees over three years old, transplanting them with soil; or dig out the entire plant for division and transplanting.
Generally, one plant can be divided into 3-5 plants, but when cutting roots, each divided small plant must have some fibrous roots to improve survival rates.
FoldCultivation Techniques
FoldSite Selection and Soil Preparation
Site Selection
The best nursery site should have deep, loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy soil; for cutting propagation, sandy soil (with good permeability and easy rooting) is preferred, and it should be close to a water source for irrigation. Choose thick, fertile, loose, well-drained, wind-sheltered, sunny mountain or gentle slope land for large-scale planting, which is conducive to cross-pollination and increases the fruiting rate of Lian Qiao, generally planting in holes. It can also be sporadically planted in wasteland, roadside, field edges, corners, and gaps in courtyards.
Soil Preparation
After selecting the site, deep plow the land before sowing or planting, applying sufficient base fertilizer, about 3000 kg per mu, mainly using manure, evenly spread on the ground. Deep plow about 30 cm, level and rake finely to create beds 1.2 meters wide and 15 cm high, with 30 cm wide furrows, and the bed surface should be shaped like a tile back. Planting holes should be prepared in advance. After applying sufficient base fertilizer, proceed with planting.
FoldSeedling Cultivation
Lian Qiao can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering, or division, with seed and cutting propagation being the main methods in production.
FoldPlanting
Before planting, apply fertilizer in the holes, using well-rotted manure or mixed organic fertilizer and a suitable amount of compound fertilizer (see site selection and soil preparation). During planting, ensure the roots of the seedlings are spread out and compacted in layers, with the soil covering the planting point higher than the hole surface to prevent sinking after rain, which would hinder survival and growth. To overcome the self-infertility of Lian Qiao, it is necessary to reasonably configure the planting points of long-styled and short-styled flowers. Reports indicate that the fruiting rates of these two flower types growing in different environments vary greatly. Under intercropping conditions, the fruiting rate is 63.9%, while in natural conditions, the fruiting rate is only 47%. Therefore, changing from row planting to intercropping can increase the fruiting rate, as intercropping allows long-styled and short-styled plants to be surrounded by each other, reducing the impact of wind direction and slope on pollination, significantly improving pollination rates. In intercropping, the arrangement of long-styled and short-styled plants should be staggered, with different configurations for single and double rows. Except during flowering, long-styled and short-styled plants are not easily distinguishable, especially in seedlings. To meet production needs, during flowering, they can be propagated by cuttings, layering, or division, with cuttings being the main method due to the wide availability of propagation materials, high utilization rate, and large propagation coefficient, meeting afforestation needs. This can solve the problem of insufficient seedlings for mixed planting of different flower types.
FoldField Management
Weeding and Tilling
During the seedling stage, regularly loosen the soil and remove weeds; after planting, till the soil once every winter around the Lian Qiao trees, and remove or hand-pull the surrounding weeds.
Fertilization
During the seedling stage, apply light fertilizer frequently, and also open ditches between rows. After planting, every winter, combine tilling and weeding with the application of well-rotted manure, cake fertilizer, or mixed organic fertilizer, using 2 kg per young tree and 10 kg per fruiting tree, applying it by digging holes or opening ditches around the Lian Qiao plants, covering with soil afterward to promote healthy growth and flowering. In favorable conditions, an additional fertilization can be done before flowering in spring.
After pruning Lian Qiao trees, apply 2 kg of wood ash, 200 g of superphosphate, 250 g of cake fertilizer, and 100 g of urea per tree. Apply in a circular trench around the tree crown, covering with soil afterward to retain moisture. In the early stages, Lian Qiao can be intercropped with low-stature crops.
Irrigation and Drainage
Maintain soil moisture, irrigate during dry periods, and open ditches for drainage during rainy seasons to prevent root rot from waterlogging.
Shaping and Pruning
After planting, when the young Lian Qiao trees reach about 1 meter in height, in winter after leaf fall, cut off the top at 70-80 cm above the ground. Then in summer, through pinching, promote branching. From these, select 3-4 well-developed lateral branches to cultivate as main branches.
Later, select 3-4 strong branches on the main branches to cultivate as secondary main branches, allowing lateral branches to grow. Through several years of shaping and pruning, it can form a low trunk and round crown, with an open interior for ventilation and light, and sparse small branches, promoting early fruiting in a naturally open tree shape.
At the same time, every winter, remove dead branches, crossing branches, overlapping branches, weak branches, and branches affected by pests. During the growing season, also perform appropriate thinning and shortening. For branches that have been fruiting for many years and are starting to decline, perform short pruning or heavy pruning (removing 2/3 of the branch), which can promote the growth of strong branches below the cut, restoring tree vigor and increasing fruiting rates.
FoldMaintenance Points
It grows best in fertile, well-lit, and well-drained land. It is very easy to cultivate, relatively cold-resistant, and is most suitable for courtyard cultivation.
FoldPest Control
FoldPest Types
Common pests of Lian Qiao include the striped wax scale, transparent wax scale, white mulberry scale, ivy round scale, round-spotted leaf-rolling moth, luminous night moth, pine oak caterpillar, and white-haired moth.
FoldControl Methods
If Lian Qiao is attacked by the above pests, different methods should be taken according to the different pests.
Spray 10% imidacloprid wettable powder diluted 2000 times or 25% insecticide suspension diluted 1000 times to kill transparent wax scale and striped wax scale.
During the peak of nymph hatching, spray 95% acaricide emulsion diluted 400 times, or 20% fast-kill emulsion diluted 1000 times to kill white mulberry scale.
During the adult stage of the round-spotted leaf-rolling moth, spray 3% high-permeability phenoxyacetic acid emulsion diluted 3000 times to kill them.
During the larval stage of the luminous night moth, spray 20% Kanfuduo soluble agent diluted 3000 times to kill them.
During the early larval stage of the pine oak caterpillar, spray 3% high-permeability phenoxyacetic acid emulsion diluted 3000 times to kill them.
In severe cases of the white-haired moth, spray 1.2% nicotine sulfate diluted 1000 times to kill them.
The above methods are only for the early stages of pest infestation; if the plants are severely affected, they should be treated promptly and destroyed to prevent spread.
FoldMain Values
FoldEconomic Value
Lian Qiao is a wild oil plant, with Lian Qiao seeds containing an oil content of 25%-33%, and the seed oil contains gum, with good volatility, making it a good raw material for the insulation paint industry and cosmetics, with great development potential. The oil can be used to make soap and cosmetics, as well as insulation paint and lubricating oil, and is rich in oleic acid and linoleic acid, which are easily absorbed and digested by the human body, with a fragrant oil taste, making it a good edible oil after refining.
Extracts from Lian Qiao can be used as natural preservatives for food preservation, especially suitable for preserving fresh fish products with high moisture content. Lian Qiao extracts can effectively inhibit the growth of common spoilage bacteria in the environment, extending the shelf life of food, making it a promising, low-cost, and safe new type of food preservative.
FoldOrnamental Value
Lian Qiao has a developed root system, with its main roots, lateral roots, and fibrous roots densely forming a network in the soil, with strong absorption and water retention capabilities; the lateral roots are thick and long, and the fibrous roots are numerous and dense, which can anchor and stabilize the soil, preventing soil erosion.
Lian Qiao has strong sprouting ability, and the canopy coverage increases rapidly, effectively preventing raindrop impact on the ground, reducing erosion, and has good soil and water conservation effects. It is a recommended excellent ecological tree species for returning farmland to forest and is the best economic crop for preventing soil erosion on the Loess Plateau. Lian Qiao has a beautiful tree posture and vigorous growth. It flowers before the leaves in early spring, with a long flowering period and abundant flowers, turning the branches golden yellow and fragrant, pleasing to the eye, making it an excellent ornamental shrub for early spring, suitable for hedges, flower beds, and urban greening, widely used in ornamental agriculture and modern landscaping.
FoldMedicinal Value
Antibacterial Effects
Lian Qiao concentrated decoction has antibacterial effects in vitro, inhibiting typhoid bacillus, paratyphoid bacillus, Escherichia coli, dysentery bacillus, diphtheria bacillus, cholera vibrio, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. The antibacterial effect of Lian Qiao in vitro is generally similar to that of Jin Yin Hua; it is the main antibacterial component in Yin Qiao San. Jin Yin Hua has a stronger inhibitory effect on Salmonella, especially typhoid bacillus and hemolytic streptococcus, while Lian Qiao seems to be better at inhibiting dysentery bacillus and golden staphylococcus. The two used together do not have a synergistic effect in vitro, and when combined with Huang Lian and Huang Qin, the antibacterial effect is reportedly stronger than using Lian Qiao alone. There is little research on the effective antibacterial components in Lian Qiao; Lian Qiao phenol has an antibacterial concentration of 1:5120 against golden staphylococcus; 1:1280 against dysentery bacillus; and 1:640 against diphtheria bacillus and paratyphoid (A) bacillus, which may be the effective antibacterial components. The flowers have some efficacy against experimental tuberculosis in mice but are ineffective against guinea pigs. Additionally, there have been reports of its effects against tuberculosis bacillus in vitro and clinically. The alcohol extract of Lian Qiao has some effects against leptospira, but its strength is not as strong as Huang Lian, Li Zhi Cao, or Jin Yin Hua, Huang Qin, but is similar to Huang Bai and Zao Xiu. The water infusion (1:5) of Lian Qiao has some inhibitory effects on star-shaped Nocardia. The ethanol and acetone extracts of Korean Lian Qiao fruit and the resin extracted from F. intermedia have antifungal effects.
Other Effects
Lian Qiao can inhibit the emetic effect of digitalis on pigeons, reducing the number of vomiting episodes, but does not change the latency of vomiting; its antiemetic effect is similar to that of chlorpromazine two hours after injection. It can also inhibit vomiting induced by subcutaneous injection of morphine in dogs, suggesting that its antiemetic mechanism may be to inhibit the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the medulla oblongata. The fruit peel of Lian Qiao contains oleanolic acid (also known as oleuropein), thus having cardiotonic and diuretic effects.
FoldPlant Culture
FoldFlower Language
Lian Qiao is the city flower of Seoul, South Korea, and its flower language is anticipation.
This flower is said to have a magical power; it is said that if you sleep with Lian Qiao flowers under your pillow, you will dream of the appearance of your future partner, which is not an evil sorcery, but a beautiful magic.
FoldMyth and Legend
Lian Qiao is found on Qibo Mountain in Xinmi City, Henan Province, where there is a place called Dachen Gou east of Qibo’s tomb. The area is covered with Lian Qiao, which is not only a precious Chinese medicinal material but also a suitable ornamental tree. Its leaves are a well-known tea ingredient, and its fruit is a good product for clearing heat and detoxifying. There is a little-known story about Lian Qiao.
It is said that 5,000 years ago, Qibo was here collecting and planting herbs, and he had a granddaughter named Lian Qiao.
One day, while Qibo and his granddaughter Lian Qiao were collecting herbs on the mountain, Qibo accidentally poisoned himself while testing a medicine, foaming at the mouth, becoming unconscious, and staring blankly.
In a very serious condition, he kept shouting: Lian Qiao, Lian Qiao. Seeing her grandfather was severely poisoned and in danger of life, Lian Qiao cried and shouted: Save me! Save me!
Lian Qiao shouted for a long time without anyone responding. In her anxiety, although she had no rescue method, she could not bear to see her grandfather leave. In desperation, she quickly crushed some green leaves nearby and stuffed them into her grandfather’s mouth.
After a moment, Qibo slowly regained consciousness, swallowing the green leaves, and after a while, he returned to normal. Lian Qiao helped her grandfather back home for medicinal and dietary recuperation, and Qibo gradually regained health.
Afterward, Qibo began to study this green leaf, and after many experiments, he found that this green leaf had good heat-clearing and detoxifying effects, so he recorded it in his materia medica, naming it Lian Qiao after his granddaughter, and planted many Lian Qiao in the area where he lived, and this story has been passed down to this day.