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Lian Qiao (Forsythia) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb, derived from the dried fruit of the Oleaceae family plant. It is harvested in autumn when the fruit matures, and after removing impurities, it is air-dried for medicinal use. Lian Qiao can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling, and disperse nodules, treating various human diseases. However, caution should be exercised regarding its side effects to avoid adverse effects on the body.
Lian Qiao
Alias:Huanghua Tiao, Lian Ke, Qing Qiao
Lian Qiao is a plant from the Oleaceae family, with its medicinal part being the fruit. The fruit is long oval to oval-shaped, slightly flattened, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 cm in length and 0.5 to 1.3 cm in diameter. The surface has irregular longitudinal wrinkles and many small raised spots, with a sharp apex and a small fruit stalk at the base or already fallen off. It is mainly produced in Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Yunnan provinces.
There are many similar medicinal materials to Lian Qiao, which can easily be confused. Care should be taken when purchasing. The counterfeit known as Qin Lian Qiao is generally spindle-shaped, yellow-brown in color, with shallow wrinkles, often split into two lobes, connected to the base of the fruit stalk. Another counterfeit is Jin Zhong Hua (Golden Bell Flower), which is toxic throughout the plant, with a stem that usually has a plate-like pith between nodes, and leaves that are slightly wider and not divided; the fruit is slightly shorter and oval-shaped, with a thin skin, and has folds and warty protrusions at the base, distributed on both sides of the longitudinal grooves from the middle to the top, brittle in texture; the seeds are golden yellow, triangular, with wrinkled seed coats and irregular textures, and when crushed, they have threads connecting them.
Properties and Channels:It is slightly cold in nature and bitter in taste; it enters the Heart, Lung, and Small Intestine meridians.
Functions:Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and disperses nodules, disperses wind-heat.
Indications:Used for the initial stage of febrile diseases, wind-heat colds with fever and irritability, sore throat, rashes, lymphadenitis, erysipelas, carbuncles, painful urination, acute nephritis, etc.
Contraindications:Should not be used by those with spleen and stomach deficiency, qi deficiency with fever, or those with abscesses that have already ruptured, or with thin, pale pus.
Effects and Functions of Lian Qiao
1. Fever Reduction
Lian Qiao is a medicinal herb that can relieve exterior symptoms and reduce fever. It increases the permeability of human capillaries and enhances the body’s resistance to salt. When people experience fever due to a cold, they can take an appropriate amount of Lian Qiao to help restore normal body temperature quickly. In addition to reducing fever, Lian Qiao also significantly alleviates other discomforts caused by colds. When combined with other herbs like Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) in decoction, it can treat influenza and help cold patients recover quickly.
2. Antibacterial and Antiviral
Lian Qiao is also an antibacterial and antiviral herb. The components such as Lian Qiao phenol, lipids, and volatile oils are natural medicinal ingredients that have significant inhibitory and destructive effects on various fungi and sensitive bacteria in the body. Moreover, it enhances the body’s antiviral capacity, preventing viral infections. Regular consumption can prevent viral colds and various diseases such as meningitis.
3. Liver Protection
Lian Qiao not only clears heat and detoxifies but also protects the liver. It can repair damaged liver cells and form a protective membrane on the surface of the liver, preventing viruses from harming the liver. Additionally, it accelerates the production of liver glycogen and enhances the liver’s detoxification function. Regular consumption can protect the liver and is also used as an adjunct treatment for liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Side Effects of Lian Qiao
Although Lian Qiao is a highly valuable medicinal herb, it does have certain side effects. It can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in some users. After taking Lian Qiao, it may also increase the burden on the liver and kidneys, and excessive use can damage these organs, resulting in reduced liver and kidney function.
Summary from Ancient Texts:
From “Yixue Zhongzhong Canxi Lu”: Lian Qiao has the power to ascend and disperse, circulating qi and blood, treating blood stasis and qi aggregation in the twelve meridians, and is an essential medicine for sores.
From “Zhen Zhu Nang”: The uses of Lian Qiao are threefold: to drain heat from the Heart, to eliminate heat from the upper jiao, and to serve as a holy medicine for sores.
Selected Formulas:
Formula 1
Ingredients: Lian Qiao 18 grams
Preparation: Boil Lian Qiao in water over low heat until 150 ml is obtained.
Dosage: Take in three doses before meals; reduce for children, and take continuously for 5 to 10 days as needed, avoiding spicy foods and maintaining a low-salt diet.
Effect: Suitable for adjunct treatment of acute nephritis.
Formula 2
Ingredients: Lian Qiao 20-25 grams
Preparation: Grind Lian Qiao into powder.
Dosage: Adults take one dose daily, divided into three doses before meals.
Effect: Suitable for adjunct treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Formula 3
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Da Qing Ye (Isatis Leaf), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chi Shao (Red Peony) each 10 grams, Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root) 15 grams.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, strain, and take the juice.
Dosage: One dose daily, divided into two doses.
Effect: Suitable for hand-foot-mouth disease.
Not suitable for children under 7 years old.
Formula 4
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) each 12 grams, Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Fang Feng (Siler), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Chi Shao (Red Peony) each 6 grams, Gan Cao (Licorice) 3 grams.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, strain, and take the juice.
Dosage: Take once in the morning and once in the evening, one dose daily.
Effect: Clears heat, disperses wind, and detoxifies, suitable for tearing up in the wind, keratitis with redness of the white part of the eye, bitter mouth, yellowish urine, and constipation.
Formula 5
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Jin Yin Hua, Niu Bang Zi (Burdock Seed), Da Qing Ye each 9 grams, Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Flower), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Jin Deng Long (Physalis) each 6 grams, Bo He (Mint), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), Gan Cao (Licorice) each 3 grams.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, take the medicinal juice.
Dosage: One dose daily, divided into two doses.
Effect: Clears heat and detoxifies, suitable for mild cases of scarlet fever. Symptoms include chills and fever, body aches, sore throat, diffuse bright red rashes on the skin that fade when pressed, and red lines appearing in skin folds such as the neck and armpits, short yellow urine, floating and rapid pulse, white greasy or yellow greasy tongue, and red swollen tongue with prickles like bayberry.
Formula 6
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) each 12 grams, Jin Yin Hua, Ge Gen (Pueraria), Niu Bang Zi each 10 grams, Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Bo He (Mint), Gan Cao (Licorice) each 6 grams, Chan Yi (Cicada Slough) 3 grams.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, take the medicinal juice.
Dosage: One dose daily, divided into two doses.
Effect: Clears heat and detoxifies, disperses lung and promotes rash, suitable for measles.
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Editor:Fu Linxue Reviewer:Chen ZixiangEditor-in-Charge:Hong Guowen
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