| The efficacy of Lianqiao (Forsythia suspensa) includes dispelling wind-cold, clearing heat and detoxifying, and alleviating irritability. 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 red scabies, breast hyperplasia, and breast nodules. However, there are certain contraindications, such as for those with stomach and spleen deficiency with cold and qi deficiency with heat, who should avoid this herb. It is essential to strictly follow medical advice during the use of this herb to prevent overdose. |
Doctor’s Advice:
1. Efficacy and Functions: Reducing Swelling, Clearing Heat, Detoxifying
Lianqiao has the functions of reducing swelling and detoxifying. It is effective for external wind-heat or the initial stage of warm diseases, with symptoms such as fever, slight chills, 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 weak spleen and stomach, those with qi deficiency and fever, those with already ruptured carbuncles, and those with purulent and pale discharge.
3. Method of Consumption: Infusion, prepare Lianqiao, Jinyinhua (Honeysuckle), and Bai Juhua (White Chrysanthemum). First, crush Lianqiao, then mix it with Jinyinhua and Bai Juhua, package it into tea bags, and steep in hot water for 3-5 minutes before drinking.
[Pharmacological Knowledge]
[Chinese Herbal Name] Lianqiao (Forsythia suspensa)
[Alias] Luoqiao, Huanghuatia, Huangliantiaohua.
[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 disperses nodules. It belongs to the category of heat-clearing and detoxifying herbs.
[Clinical Application] Dosage of 6-15 grams, decocted for oral administration. Used to treat carbuncles, scrofula, breast abscess, erysipelas, wind-heat colds, initial 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 with fever, and spleen and stomach heat deficiency.
[Compatible Formulas] For reference only
1. For mastitis: Lianqiao 15 grams, Pugongying (Dandelion) 30 grams, Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria seed) 9 grams, Yejuhua (Wild Chrysanthemum) 15 grams. Decoct for oral administration. (“Qingdao Chinese Herbal Handbook”)
2. For intestinal abscess: Lianqiao 15 grams, Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Zhizi (Gardenia jasminoides) each 12 grams, Jinyinhua 18 grams. Decoct for oral administration. (“Qingdao Chinese Herbal Handbook”)
3. For tongue ulcers: Lianqiao 15 grams, Huangbai (Phellodendron chinense) 9 grams, Gancao (Licorice) 6 grams, decoct and gargle. (“Yuqiao Medical Orders”)
4. For halitosis: Lianqiao powdered into pills, take 6-9 grams after eating garlic or chives, the foul breath transforms into fresh breath. (“Chishui Xuanzhu” halitosis formula)
5. For allergic purpura: Lianqiao 12 grams, Hongzao (Red Dates) 30 grams. Decoct for oral administration. (“Ningxia Chinese Herbal 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 the fruit when fully ripe, dry, and remove impurities.
Lianqiao heart: Immediately steam and dry the Qingqiao after harvesting, and screen out the seeds.
Compound Preparations
Yin Qiao San
Disperses wind and clears heat and detoxifies. 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 and detoxifies. Used for wind-heat colds, with symptoms of fever, headache, cough, dry mouth, and sore throat.
Sang Ju Gan Mao Wan
Disperses wind, clears heat, and stops cough. Used for the initial stage of wind-heat colds, with headache, cough, dry mouth, and sore throat.
Lianhua Qingwen Capsules/Tablets/Granules
Clears epidemic heat and detoxifies, disperses lung heat. Used for treating influenza with heat toxin attacking the lung, 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 and detoxifies. 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 leucorrhea, and carbuncles.
Sang Ju Yin
Disperses wind, clears heat, and stops cough. Primarily used for the initial stage of wind-warmth, with mild heat symptoms, cough, and slight fever.
Confused between Yingchun and Lianqiao? Just remember these 3 tips to easily distinguish them.
Both Yingchun and Lianqiao bloom yellow flowers, and their flowering periods are in March and April. If one blooms a couple of days late or early, their flowering periods perfectly overlap. Moreover, both plants flower before their leaves grow. However, with careful observation, one can 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, so let me introduce some distinguishing features.“At a glance, different shapes”
From a distance, the plant shapes are distinctly different. The Lianqiao plant is relatively upright, appearing in clusters, while Yingchun presents a more arching shape, with greater curvature in its branches, making it more suitable for planting by rivers.“Upon closer inspection, different stems”
The stems of Yingchun and Lianqiao are also different. Lianqiao’s stem is gray-brown, cylindrical, giving the impression of still being in winter, and when cut, it is hollow inside; Yingchun’s stem is green with distinct four edges, which can be felt by touch. The stems are the most significant distinguishing feature; remembering this prominent characteristic makes it easy to differentiate.“Upon careful observation, different leaves”
The leaves of the two plants also differ significantly. Lianqiao’s leaves are larger, elongated oval-shaped, with serrated edges on the upper half, and are relatively thin, growing oppositely; Yingchun’s leaves are smaller, round, and thick, with a “sandpaper-like” texture, and are trifoliate (with small branches between the stem and leaves) and grow in pairs.
Mastering these three points will allow you to 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’s petals are shorter, oval-shaped, usually with 5-6 petals.
What are the differences between Lianqiao and Jinyinhua?
Both Lianqiao and Jinyinhua have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties, capable of dispersing wind-heat and clearing internal heat and detoxifying.
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 the heart and is good at dispelling abscesses and nodules, making it a sacred medicine for sores, and it also treats scrofula and phlegm nodules; while Jinyinhua is superior in dispersing exterior heat and, when charred, is good at cooling blood and stopping dysentery, used for heat toxin dysentery.
Precautions
Those with spleen and stomach deficiency, 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 herbal treatment is appropriate.
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Children: Medication for children should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor and adult supervision.
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Please store herbal materials properly and do not share your medications with others.
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Note: Please do not self-medicate; follow medical advice.