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Lian Qiao (Forsythia Suspensa) is a commonly used medicinal herb. It comes from the dried fruit of the Oleaceae family plant, harvested in autumn when ripe. After harvesting, impurities are removed and it is air-dried for medicinal use. It can clear heat and detoxify, reduce swelling, and disperse nodules, treating various human diseases. However, caution should be taken regarding its side effects to avoid adverse effects on the body. Let us learn more about Lian Qiao.
Lian QiaoAlias Liankei, Huanghua Tiao, Huangliantiao Flower, Huangqidan, Qingqiao, Luoqiao
Deciduous shrub, 2-4 meters high. The branches are spreading or elongated, slightly vine-like, often rooting when touching the ground. The young branches are slightly quadrangular, hollow between nodes, with solid pith only at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, or become trifoliate; petioles are 8-20 mm long; leaf blades are ovate, elongated ovate, broad ovate to round, 3-7 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, with tips gradually pointed, acute, or blunt. The base is broadly wedge-shaped or round, with irregular serrations on the edges; semi-woody. Flowers bloom before the leaves, axillary, about 2.5 cm long; calyx deeply divided into 4, oval; corolla tubular at the base, 4-lobed at the top, lobes are ovate. Golden yellow, usually with orange-red stripes; there are 2 stamens at the base of the corolla; 1 pistil, ovary oval, style long and slender, stigma bifid. The capsule is narrow oval and slightly flattened, about 15 cm long, with a short beak at the tip, splitting into 2 valves when mature. The seeds are numerous, brown, narrow oval, flat, with a thin wing on one side. Flowering period is from March to May. Fruiting period is from July to August. The fruit of the Oleaceae plant Forsythia. The fruit is harvested when it is initially ripe or fully ripe. The initially ripe fruit is steamed and dried, still green, and is called “Qingqiao”; the fully ripe fruit is dried after harvesting, with seeds and impurities removed, called “Laoqiao”; its seeds are called “Lianqiao Xin”.
Note There are many medicinal materials similar to Lian Qiao, which can be easily confused. Care should be taken when purchasing. The counterfeit is Qin Lian Qiao, which is generally spindle-shaped, yellow-brown on the outside, with shallow wrinkles, often split into two valves, connected to the base of the fruit stalk. The second counterfeit is Jin Zhong Hua, which is toxic throughout the plant, with a stem usually having a plate-like pith between nodes, leaves slightly wider and not divided; the fruit is slightly shorter and oval, with a thinner skin, with 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, three-angled, with wrinkled seed coats and irregular patterns, and when crushed, they are connected by threads.
Meridian Enters the Lung, Heart, and Small Intestine meridians.
Taste and Properties Bitter, slightly cold.
Functions and Indications Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and disperses nodules. Used for abscesses, scrofula, mastitis, erysipelas, wind-heat colds, initial stage of warm diseases, heat entering the nutrient level, high fever with thirst, delirium with rashes, heat strangury and urinary retention.
Dosage 6-15g.
The Efficacy 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 promptly, which can help restore normal body temperature quickly. In addition to reducing fever, Lian Qiao also has significant alleviating effects on other discomforts caused by colds. When combined with other herbs like Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), it can be decocted to treat influenza, helping cold patients recover quickly.
2. Antibacterial and Antiviral
Lian Qiao is also an antibacterial and antiviral herb. The components such as forsythoside and lipids, as well as volatile oils, are natural medicinal ingredients that have significant inhibitory and destructive effects on various fungi and sensitive bacteria in the body. Moreover, it can enhance the body’s antiviral capacity, preventing viral infections. Regular consumption can help 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 can accelerate the production of liver glycogen, enhancing 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 medicinal herb with high medicinal value, it also has certain side effects after consumption. It can stimulate the gastrointestinal tract, easily causing nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. After taking Lian Qiao, it may also increase the burden on the liver and kidneys. Overconsumption can lead to liver and kidney damage, resulting in reduced liver and kidney function.
Formulas Selected:
Formula 1
Ingredients: Lian Qiao 18g
Preparation: Boil Lian Qiao in water over low heat until 150 ml is obtained.
Dosage: Take in 3 doses before meals. For children, reduce the dosage as needed. Continuous use for 5-10 days depending on the condition. Avoid spicy foods and maintain a low-salt diet during use.
Efficacy: Suitable for the adjunct treatment of acute nephritis.
Formula 2
Ingredients: Lian Qiao 20-25g
Preparation: Grind Lian Qiao into powder.
Dosage: Adults take 1 dose daily, divided into 3 doses, taken before meals.
Efficacy: Suitable for the adjunct treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Formula 3
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Da Qing Ye (Isatis Leaf), Gan Cao (Licorice), Chi Shao (Red Peony) each 10g, Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root) 15g.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, filter out the residue to obtain the juice.
Dosage: 1 dose daily, divided into 2 doses.
Efficacy: Suitable for hand-foot-mouth disease.
Note: Not suitable for children under 7 years old.
Formula 4
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle) each 12g, Jing Jie (Schizonepeta), Sang Ye (Mulberry Leaf), Fang Feng (Siler), Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum), Chi Shao (Red Peony) each 6g, Gan Cao (Licorice) 3g.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water, filter out the residue to obtain the juice.
Dosage: Take 1 dose each morning and evening, daily 1 dose.
Efficacy: Clears heat, dispels 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 9g, Jing Jie Sui (Schizonepeta Flower), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Jin Deng Long (Physalis) each 6g, Bo He (Mint), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), Gan Cao (Licorice) each 3g.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water to obtain the medicinal juice.
Dosage: 1 dose daily, divided into 2 doses.
Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies, suitable for mild cases of scarlet fever. Symptoms include chills, fever, body aches, sore throat, diffuse bright red rashes on the skin that fade when pressed, rashes appearing like red lines in skin folds such as neck and armpits, short yellow urine, floating rapid pulse, white greasy or yellow greasy tongue coating, red swollen tongue with prickles like bayberry.
Formula 6
Ingredients: Lian Qiao, Lu Gen (Reed Rhizome) each 12g, Jin Yin Hua, Ge Gen (Pueraria), Niu Bang Zi each 10g, Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Bo He (Mint), Gan Cao (Licorice) each 6g, Chan Yi (Cicada Slough) 3g.
Preparation: Boil the above herbs in water to obtain the medicinal juice.
Dosage: 1 dose daily, divided into 2 doses.
Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies, promotes lung function and rash, suitable for measles.
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