heat-clearing
Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao)
连翘 · Liánqiào
Forsythia suspensa
Nature
Cool
Saveur
Bitter
Meridian
Lung, Heart, Gallbladder
Lian Qiao — the golden forsythia capsule, 'the sweetheart of scrofula' in old texts — is honeysuckle's partner in clearing heat-toxin, with particular mastery over nodules, swollen glands, and skin eruptions. Harvested green in autumn, the split fruits with seeds intact carry the strongest forsythiaside content.
🌿 Fonctions
- •Clears heat and resolves toxicity
- •Disperses nodules and reduces swelling
- •Disperses wind-heat (with honeysuckle)
📖 Usage
6–15 g in decoction or steeped as tea with honeysuckle.
🔬 Recherche moderne
Forsythiaside A and phillyrin are studied for antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects; forsythia features prominently in modern respiratory formulas.
⚠️ Contre-indications
Avoid with spleen deficiency, dampness, and cold sores lacking heat signs.
