The efficacy of Lianqiao (Forsythia) includes dispelling wind-cold, clearing heat and detoxifying, alleviating irritability, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. It is particularly effective for treating colds caused by wind-heat, as well as symptoms of irritability and heat. Additionally, it has beneficial effects on conditions such as chiyou dan (red sore), breast hyperplasia, and breast nodules. However, there are certain contraindications, such as for those with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold and qi deficiency-heat, who should avoid this herb. It is essential to strictly follow medical advice during the use of this herb to avoid overdose.
1. Efficacy and Functions: Reducing Swelling and Dissolving Nodules, Clearing Heat and Detoxifying, Promoting Urination
Lianqiao has the functions of reducing swelling and dissolving nodules, as well as clearing heat and detoxifying. It is effective for external wind-heat or the initial stage of warm diseases, with symptoms such as fever, slight aversion to cold, cough, and sore throat. Furthermore, Lianqiao can clear the heart and reduce fire, promote urination, and is particularly effective for constipation and painful urination.
2. Precautions
1. Suitable Population: Individuals with cerebral hemorrhage or stroke, those with hypertension, gout, and asthma.
2. Contraindicated Population: Individuals with spleen and stomach weakness, qi deficiency-heat, those with abscesses that have already ruptured, and those with purulent and pale discharge.
3. Method of Consumption: Infusion – Prepare Lianqiao, honeysuckle, and white chrysanthemum. First, crush the Lianqiao, then mix it with honeysuckle and white chrysanthemum, package it into tea bags, and steep in hot water for 3-5 minutes before drinking.
[Pharmacological Knowledge]
[Chinese Herbal Name] Lianqiao (Forsythia)
[Alias] Luo Qiao, Huanghua Tiao, Huang Lian Tiao Hua.
[Medicinal Part] The fruit of the plant Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl from the Oleaceae family.
[Distribution] Grows in low mountain shrubs or forest edges, distributed in Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and other regions.
[Harvesting and Processing] Harvest the fruit in autumn when it is initially ripe and still green, remove impurities, steam, and dry, commonly referred to as “Qingqiao”. When the fruit is fully ripe, harvest, dry, and remove impurities, commonly referred to as “Laoqiao”.
[Pharmacological Research] Antimicrobial; inhibits phosphodiesterase and lipoxygenase; antiemetic; protects against liver damage; anti-inflammatory; inhibits elastase activity; reduces spontaneous hypertension, etc.
——– Efficacy and Compatibility ——-
[Nature and Taste] Slightly cold, bitter. Enters the lung, heart, and small intestine meridians.
[Efficacy and Functions] Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and dissolves nodules. Classified under heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs.
[Clinical Application] Dosage of 6-15 grams, decocted in water. Used to treat abscesses, scrofula, breast abscess, erysipelas, wind-heat colds, initial stages of warm diseases, heat entering the nutrient level, high fever with thirst, delirium with rashes, and heat stranguria.
[Contraindications] Use with caution in cases of qi deficiency, yin deficiency-heat, and spleen and stomach deficiency-heat.
[Compatible Formulas] For reference only:
1. For mastitis: 15 grams of Lianqiao, 30 grams of dandelion, 9 grams of Wang Bu Liu Xing, and 15 grams of wild chrysanthemum. Decoct in water. (From “Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook”)
2. For intestinal abscess: 15 grams of Lianqiao, 12 grams each of Huangqin and Zhi Zi, and 18 grams of honeysuckle. Decoct in water. (From “Qingdao Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook”)
3. For tongue ulcers: 15 grams of Lianqiao, 9 grams of Huang Bai, and 6 grams of licorice, decoct and gargle. (From “Yuqiao Medical Orders”)
4. For halitosis: Grind Lianqiao into powder and form into pills, take 6-9 grams with tea after eating garlic or leeks to transform foul breath into fresh breath. (From “Chishui Xuan Zhu” halitosis formula)
5. For allergic purpura: 12 grams of Lianqiao and 30 grams of red dates. Decoct in water. (From “Ningxia Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook”)
[Modern Preparation]
Qingqiao: Harvest the fruit in autumn when it is initially ripe and still green, remove impurities, steam, and dry.
Laoqiao or Huangqiao: Harvest when the fruit is fully ripe, dry, and remove impurities.
Lianqiao Xin: Immediately steam and dry the Qingqiao after harvesting, and screen out the seeds.
Compound Preparations
Yin Qiao San: Disperses wind and clears heat, detoxifying. Used for external wind-cold, with symptoms of fever, headache, dry mouth, cough, sore throat, and short, red urination.
Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian: Disperses wind and clears heat, detoxifying. Used for wind-heat colds, with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, and dry mouth, sore throat.
Mulberry and Chrysanthemum Cold Pills: Disperses wind and clears heat, promotes lung function and stops cough. Used for the initial stage of wind-heat colds, with symptoms of headache, cough, dry mouth, and sore throat.
Lianhua Qingwen Capsules/Tablets/Granules: Clears epidemic heat and detoxifies, promotes lung function and releases heat. Used for treating influenza with heat toxin attacking the lungs, with symptoms of fever, chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, headache, dry throat, red tongue, and yellow or greasy coating.
Shuang Huang Lian Oral Liquid/Capsules/Tablets/Granules: Disperses wind and clears heat, detoxifying. Used for colds caused by external wind-heat, with symptoms of fever, cough, and sore throat.
Qin Lian Pian: Clears heat and detoxifies, reduces swelling and alleviates pain. Used for internal heat in the organs, headache, red eyes, mouth and nose ulcers, heat dysentery, abdominal pain, damp-heat leukorrhea, and painful swellings.
Sang Ju Yin: Disperses wind and clears heat, promotes lung function and stops cough. Used for the initial stage of wind-warmth, with mild heat symptoms, cough, and slight fever, with mild thirst.
Are you confused between Yingchun and Lianqiao? Just remember these three tips to easily distinguish them.
Both Yingchun and Lianqiao have yellow flowers and bloom around March and April. If one blooms a couple of days late or early, their blooming periods perfectly overlap. Additionally, both plants flower before their leaves grow. However, with careful observation, you will find that Yingchun and Lianqiao are quite different. Although they look similar and both belong to the Oleaceae family, they come from two different genera: Yingchun belongs to the Jasminum genus, while Lianqiao belongs to the Forsythia genus. Many may find this too academic and hard to remember, but I will provide specific distinguishing features.
“At a glance, the shapes are different”
From a distance, the plant shapes are distinctly different. Lianqiao is relatively upright, appearing in clusters, while Yingchun has a more arching shape, with branches that curve more, often extending into the water, making it more commonly planted by rivers.
“Upon closer inspection, the stems are different”
The stems of Yingchun and Lianqiao are also different. Lianqiao has gray-brown, cylindrical stems that give the impression of still being in winter, and when cut, the stem is hollow; Yingchun has green stems with distinct four edges that can be felt by touch. The stems are the most significant distinguishing feature; remembering this will make it easy to differentiate.
“Upon careful observation, the leaves are different”
The leaves of the two plants also differ significantly. Lianqiao has larger, elongated oval leaves with serrated edges on the upper half, and they are relatively thin, growing oppositely; Yingchun has smaller, round, thick leathery leaves that feel “sandy” to the touch, and they are trifoliate (with small branches between the stem and leaves) and grow oppositely.
By mastering these three points, you can easily distinguish between Yingchun and Lianqiao. If you want to further differentiate them, you will find that their flowers are also different. Lianqiao typically has four petals, with five to six petals being rare, and the petals are relatively long; Yingchun has shorter petals that are oval-shaped, usually with 5-6 petals.
What are the differences between Lianqiao and Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle)?
Both Lianqiao and Jin Yin Hua have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, capable of dispersing heat to the surface and clearing internal heat to detoxify.
They are often used together for heat toxin sores, wind-heat colds, and warm diseases.
The difference lies in that Lianqiao has a stronger ability to clear heat and detoxify, and is effective in reducing abscesses and dissolving nodules, making it a sacred medicine for sores, also treating scrofula and phlegm nodules; while Jin Yin Hua is superior in dispersing surface heat and, when charred, is effective in cooling blood and stopping dysentery, used for heat toxin dysentery.
Precautions
Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold and sores that are not due to excess heat toxin should not use it.
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Pregnant and breastfeeding women: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, please inform your doctor and consult whether it is safe to use Chinese medicine.
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Children: Medication for children should be done under the guidance of a doctor and with adult supervision.
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Please store herbal materials properly and do not share your medications with others.
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