Disease Inquiry, Health Guidance, Classic Health Preservation, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicine, No Need to Seek Help When Sick
Lian Qiao (Forsythia) is a commonly used Chinese medicinal herb. It is classified as a lower-grade herb in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Classic of Materia Medica). Currently, there are two commercial varieties: Qing Lian Qiao (Green Forsythia) and Lao Lian Qiao (Old Forsythia), both derived from the same plant.
Aliases: Qing Ke (Green Shell), Lian Zhao, Lao Qiao, Lian Ke, Huang Hua Tiao, Huang Lian Tiao Hua, Huang Qi Dan, Qing Qiao, Luo Qiao
Source: The dried, nearly mature fruit (Qing Ke) and the mature fruit shell (Lao Qiao) of the deciduous shrub Forsythia suspensa, belonging to the Oleaceae family. It can be found in the wild or cultivated.
Harvesting and Processing: The fruit is harvested in the autumn when it is initially ripe and still green, impurities are removed, steamed, and dried, commonly referred to as “Qing Qiao”; when the fruit is fully ripe, it is harvested, dried, and impurities removed, commonly referred to as “Lao Qiao”.
Production Areas: Mainly produced in Shanxi and Henan provinces, with additional production in Shaanxi, Hubei, Gansu, Hebei, and Shandong provinces.
Plant Morphology: A deciduous shrub, 2-4 meters tall. The branches are spreading or elongated, slightly vine-like, often rooting at the ground. The young branches are slightly quadrangular, hollow between the nodes, with solid pith only at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, or may be trifoliate; petioles are 8-20 mm long; leaf blades are ovate, elongated ovate, broadly ovate to round, 3-7 cm long and 2-4 cm wide, with a gradually pointed, acute, or blunt apex. The base is broadly wedge-shaped or round, with irregular serrations along the edges; they are semi-leathery. Flowers bloom before the leaves, axillary, about 2.5 cm long; the calyx is deeply divided into 4 lobes, oval-shaped; the corolla is tubular at the base and 4-lobed at the top, with ovate lobes. The flowers are golden yellow, usually with orange-red stripes; there are 2 stamens attached at the base of the corolla; 1 pistil with an oval ovary, a long style, and a bifid stigma. The capsule is narrow-ovate 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-ovate, flat, with a thin wing on one side. The flowering period is from March to May, and the fruiting period is from July to August.
Identification of Characteristics:
Qing Qiao has a capsule that is narrow-ovate, about 1.5-2.5 cm long, with a diameter of about 6-10 mm at the middle. The apex is pointed, slightly split or not split, resembling a bird’s beak. The base has a short stalk or has fallen off, with a greenish-brown surface, each side having a longitudinal groove and numerous raised yellowish-white speckles. The outer shell is slightly brittle and easily cracked, containing many yellow-green seeds attached to the central septum. The seeds are slightly long-angled, with a membranous wing on one side, containing a viscous oil. The aroma is slightly fragrant, with a bitter and slightly spicy taste.
Lao Qiao: The morphology is slightly similar to Qing Qiao, but it has turned yellow-brown or gray-yellow. It is often split or has already split into two valves, with many seeds having fallen off. The aroma is mild, with a slightly bitter and spicy taste. It does not contain viscous oil.
Qing Qiao is best when the fruit is intact, uniform, greenish, and without branches or stems.
Main Components: Contains forsythoside, oleanolic acid, and a sterol compound, as well as a large amount of vitamin P.
Effects and Functions:
1. Antibacterial. The effective component is forsythoside. It has the strongest antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. It also has strong antibacterial effects against hemolytic streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, etc. It significantly inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and has therapeutic effects on experimental tuberculosis in mice.
2. Antiviral, with inhibitory effects on influenza viruses.
3. Cardiotonic and diuretic. The effective component is oleanolic acid.
Pharmacological Actions:
① Antibacterial Action
The concentrated decoction of Lian Qiao has antibacterial effects in vitro, inhibiting Salmonella typhi, paratyphoid bacteria, Escherichia coli, dysentery bacteria, diphtheria bacteria, cholera vibrio, staphylococci, streptococci, etc. The antibacterial action of Lian Qiao in vitro is generally similar to that of Jin Yin Hua (Honeysuckle); it is the main antibacterial component in Yin Qiao San (Yin Qiao Powder). Jin Yin Hua has a stronger inhibitory effect on Salmonella, especially Salmonella typhi and hemolytic streptococcus, while Lian Qiao seems to be better at inhibiting dysentery bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus. When used together, there is no synergistic effect in vitro, and the combination with Huang Lian (Coptis) and Huang Qin (Scutellaria) has a stronger antibacterial effect than using Lian Qiao alone. There is limited research on the effective antibacterial components in Lian Qiao; forsythoside has an antibacterial concentration of 1:5120 against Staphylococcus aureus; 1:1280 against dysentery bacteria; and 1:640 against diphtheria bacteria and paratyphoid (A) bacteria, which may be the effective antibacterial component. The flower has certain therapeutic effects on experimental tuberculosis in mice, but is ineffective in guinea pigs. Additionally, there have been reports of its antibacterial effects against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro and clinically. The alcohol extract of Lian Qiao has some inhibitory effects against Leptospira, but its strength is not as strong as that of Huang Lian, Li Zhi Cao (Lychee Grass), or Jin Yin Hua, Huang Qin, and is similar to that of Huang Bai (Phellodendron) and Zao Jiao (Jujube). The water extract of Lian Qiao (1:5) has some inhibitory effects against star-shaped Nocardia in vitro. The ethanol and acetone extracts of Korean Lian Qiao fruit and the resin extracted from F. intermedia have antifungal effects.
② Other Actions
Lian Qiao can inhibit the emetic effect of digitalis on pigeons when injected into the vein, reducing the number of vomiting episodes without changing the latency of vomiting. Its antiemetic effect is similar to that of chlorpromazine two hours after injection. It can also inhibit the vomiting caused by subcutaneous injection of apomorphine in dogs, suggesting that its antiemetic action may be due to the inhibition of the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the medulla oblongata. The fruit skin of Lian Qiao contains oleanolic acid (also known as oleuropein), which has cardiotonic and diuretic effects.
Preparation: Remove impurities, crush, and remove branches and stems.
Taste and Properties: Bitter, slightly cold.
Meridian Affinity: Enters the Heart and Small Intestine meridians.
Functions: Clears heat from the heart, resolves heat, reduces swelling, and promotes urination.
Indications: Primarily for wind-heat colds; warm diseases; heat stranguria; carbuncles; swelling and toxicity; scrofula; goiter; throat obstruction.
Clinical Applications: An important herb for treating febrile diseases and carbuncles.
① Treatment of acute nephritis
Take 6 qian (about 18 grams) of Lian Qiao, add water and simmer over low heat until 150 ml is obtained, divided into three doses before meals, with dosage adjusted for children. Depending on the condition, it can be taken for 5-10 days, avoiding spicy foods and salt. In 8 patients, all had edema before treatment, with blood pressure ranging from 140-200/96-110 mmHg, and urine tests showing protein, granular casts, and red and white blood cells. After treatment, all 6 cases of edema disappeared, 2 cases showed significant improvement; blood pressure decreased significantly; urine tests turned negative in 6 cases, with 2 cases improving.
② Treatment of purpura
Take 6 qian of Lian Qiao, add water and simmer over low heat to obtain 150 ml, divided into three doses before meals, avoiding spicy foods. In treating 1 case of thrombocytopenic purpura and 2 cases of allergic purpura, after 2-7 days of treatment, all skin purpura disappeared. The effect of Lian Qiao on this condition may be related to its high content of rutin, which helps maintain normal capillary resistance and reduces capillary fragility and permeability; additionally, Lian Qiao seems to have a desensitizing effect.
③ Treatment of lung abscess
Prepare an injection of Lian Qiao, with 1 gram of Lian Qiao per milliliter. Administer via tracheal drip combined with intramuscular injection. The tracheal drip generally uses 6-10 ml, once daily; after symptoms improve, every other day; when approaching shrinkage or closure, twice a week. In treating 25 cases, 14 were cured, 10 improved, and 1 died; according to statistics from 18 cases, the average treatment duration was 12 days for fever reduction, with an average of 26.8 tracheal drips, the maximum being 50 times.
④ Treatment of retinal hemorrhage
Take 6-7 qian of Lian Qiao, simmer in water, divided into three doses before meals. In 2 cases of retinal hemorrhage in the macular area, after 20-27 days of medication, significant absorption was observed, and vision improved.
The leaves are used for treating hypertension, dysentery, and sore throat with good effects.
Precautions:
Do not use Lian Qiao after carbuncles have ruptured, as the condition is often more deficient at that time. Generally, the treatment focuses on enhancing the body’s resistance, while Lian Qiao is bitter and cold, and excessive use can easily harm the vital energy, so it is not advisable.
Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao are often used together to enhance the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying. The subtle difference between the two is that Jin Yin Hua is sweet and does not harm the stomach (while Lian Qiao is bitter and cold, and although small amounts can clear heat and strengthen the stomach, excessive use can still affect appetite); Jin Yin Hua is more focused on relieving exterior symptoms, while Lian Qiao is more focused on clearing internal heat.
Dosage: For internal use: decoction, 3-5 qian; or in pills or powders. For external use: wash with decoction.
Contraindications: Avoid in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency, qi deficiency with fever, and when carbuncles have ruptured with thin, pale pus.
Example Formulas:
1. Niubang Jieji Decoction (Yao Ke Xin De Ji): Niubangzi (Burdock Seed) 9g, Lian Qiao 9g, Bohe (Mint) 3g (added last), Zhi Zi (Gardenia) 9g, Dan Pi (Moutan Root) 6g, Shi Hu (Dendrobium) 9g, Xuan Shen (Scrophularia) 9g, Xia Ku Cao (Selfheal) 12g, decoct in water for treatment of neck swelling due to wind-heat, especially suitable for sore throat.
2. Lian Qiao Shuang Huang Ointment: Lian Qiao, Huang Bai (Phellodendron), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra) each 15g, Bing Pian (Borneol) 1.5g, ground into a fine powder, mixed with 100g of Vaseline to make an ointment for external use to treat early-stage furuncles.
Compound Formulas:
① For treating Taiyin wind-heat, warm heat, warm epidemic, and winter warmth, with initial symptoms of heat without aversion to cold and thirst: Lian Qiao 1 liang, Jin Yin Hua 1 liang, Ku Ju Gen (Bitter Platycodon) 6 qian, Bohe 6 qian, Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaf) 4 qian, Sheng Gan Cao (Raw Licorice) 5 qian, Jie Sui (Mustard Seed) 4 qian, Dan Dou Chi (Fermented Soybean) 5 qian, Niubangzi 6 qian. Grind into a powder, take 6 qian, decoct with fresh reed root soup, and take when fragrant, do not overboil. For severe cases, take every two hours, three times a day; for mild cases, take every three hours, three times a day; if the condition does not resolve, repeat the dose. (Wen Bing Tiao Bian Yin Qiao San)
② For treating all types of heat in children: Lian Qiao, Fang Feng (Siler), Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted), and Shan Zhi Zi (Gardenia) in equal parts. Grind into a powder, take 2 qian, with one cup of water, decoct to 70% remaining, strain and take warm. (Lei Zheng Huo Ren Shu Lian Qiao Decoction)
③ For treating red, itchy skin lesions: Lian Qiao alone, decoct and drink. (Yu Qiao Yi Ling)
④ For treating breast abscess and lumps: Lian Qiao, male mouse droppings, dandelion, and Chuan Bei Mu (Fritillaria) each 2 qian. Decoct and take. (Yu Qiao Yi Ling)
⑤ For treating scrofula and tuberculosis that do not resolve: Lian Qiao, Gui Jian Yu (Corydalis), Qu Mai (Dianthus), and Gan Cao (Licorice, roasted) in equal parts. Grind into a fine powder, take 2 qian, mixed with rice water before bed. (Yang Shi Jia Cang Fang Lian Qiao San)
⑥ For treating tongue ulcers: Lian Qiao 5 qian, Huang Bai 3 qian, Gan Cao 2 qian. Decoct and use as a mouthwash. (Yu Qiao Yi Ling)
Appendix: The heart of Lian Qiao refers to the seeds of Lian Qiao, which are bitter and contain volatile oil, releasing a fragrant aroma when crushed. The heart of Lian Qiao has a central nervous system stimulating effect, used in cases of heat disease with delirium and confusion, often combined with lotus seed heart, as in Qing Gong Decoction. It is noted that when the shell of Lian Qiao is contaminated with components of the heart, it may sometimes cause insomnia after ingestion. Additionally, the heart of Lian Qiao has effects on promoting digestion and stopping vomiting. The dosage is 3-6g. Note: Prescriptions should clearly specify whether to use Lian Qiao shell or Lian Qiao heart; when both are used, it should be noted as “Lian Qiao with heart.”
To learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine, herbal materials, herbal remedies, and folk prescriptions,▼ Click the card below to enter the comprehensive herbal medicine page ▼ for inquiries!
For example: back pain, gynecology, andrology, kidney tonification, lumbar disc herniation, back pain, leg pain, knee pain, cervical spondylosis, liver disease, stomach disease, constipation, frequent urination, diarrhea, abdominal protrusion, dysmenorrhea, breast hyperplasia, breast cancer, postpartum care, acne, white hair, hair loss, breast enhancement, beauty, skin diseases, age spots, aging, yin deficiency, colds, coughs, fever, insomnia, stones, pharyngitis, sore throat, headaches, toothaches, snoring, oral ulcers, bad breath, rhinitis, tinnitus, eye diseases, thyroid issues, dandruff, athlete’s foot, hemorrhoids, cold hands and feet, rheumatism, night sweats, cancer, cerebral hemorrhage, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, cardiovascular diseases, fatty liver, gout, dementia, varicose veins, qi tonification, blood tonification, calcium supplementation, weakness, obesity, pediatric diseases, slim legs, slim waist, dampness, spleen strengthening, hiccups, body odor, cramps, smoking cessation, meridians, Chinese patent medicines, foot baths… More
Thank you for sharing
Click to view, good luck continues