Lián Qiào · Forsythia Fruit
Lián Qiào (连翘, Forsythia Fruit) is a herb of Cool nature and Bitter, Pungent flavor, in the “Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Resolving” category. Tradition uses it to clear Heat and Toxins, Dissipate Nodules, Release Exterior Wind-Heat.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Lián Qiào
- Characters
- 连翘
- Botanical name
- Forsythia suspensa (Thunb.) Vahl
- Family
- Oleaceae
- Part used
- Fruit
- Nature
- Cool
- Flavor
- Bitter, Pungent
- Meridians
- Heart, Lung, Small Intestine
- Category
- Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Resolving
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- No contraindication described (always consult)
- Origin
- China
Actions according to tradition
- Clear Heat and Toxins
- Dissipate Nodules
- Release Exterior Wind-Heat
- Drain Pus
Traditional uses
- Exterior wind-heat with fever and sore throat
- Skin eruptions, carbuncles, and abscesses
- Scrofula, lymph node swelling, goiter from phlegm-heat
- Hot sores with swelling and redness
- Warm febrile diseases (Wen Bing)
Studied effects and current applications
- Clears heat and eliminates toxins from skin and blood
- Dissipates phlegm nodules and masses
- Releases exterior wind-heat in early stage infections
- Drains pus from abscesses and sores
- Anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties
Applications under investigation
- Upper respiratory infections and flu
- Skin infections and abscesses
- Lymphadenopathy
- Anti-viral applications (including COVID-19 research)
- Immune modulation
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Spleen qi deficiency with loose stools
- Abscesses that have already ruptured (cold nature may delay healing)
Relative contraindications
- Yin deficiency without heat-toxin pattern
- Pregnancy
- Generally safe in pregnancy for infection and fever.
- Breastfeeding
- Safe during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children with fever and infection.
- Older adults
- Safe for elderly infections. Use cautiously with digestive weakness.
Possible adverse effects
- Nausea in large doses
- Loose stools
When to stop
- Loose stools develop
- Infection resolves
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Tetracyclines, Amoxicillin | Mild | Possible additive antimicrobial effects Generally safe synergistic use |
| Antiviral medications | Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) | Mild | Possible complementary antiviral effects Generally safe combination |
With other herbs
- honeysuckle Classic combination in Yin Qiao San for wind-heat
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 6-15 grams daily
- Powder
- 2-4 grams daily
- Acute use
- 3-7 days for acute infection
- Chronic use
- 1-2 weeks
- Maximum
- Short-term for acute conditions
- Children
- Safe for children with infections and fever.
Forms of preparation
Simmer 6-15g in 3 cups water 25-30 min. Take warm-cool twice daily.
Infections, fever, sore throat
Steep 6-9g in hot water 10 min. Add honeysuckle flower for enhanced effect.
Sore throat, early cold and flu
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Lignans (forsitoside, filiroside) and iridoids (rengyoside)
Phenylethanoid glucoside (lignan glucoside) · Antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective
Viral neuraminidase inhibition, bacterial adhesion block, NF-κB inhibition · 1-5% in fruit; official quality marker
Glycosidic lignans · Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective
Inhibition of influenza and RSV replication, COX-2 blockade · 1-4%
Bile acid (trace) and iridoid · Hepatoprotective, mild diuretic
Bile transport modulation, increased diuresis · Traces
Flavonol and phenolic acid · Antioxidant, capillaroprotective, anti-inflammatory
Radical scavenging, endothelium protection, NF-κB inhibition · 0.5-2%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn (September-October) for green fruit (青翘); October-November for the mature (老翘)
Fruits harvested before fully opening (青翘) or already ripe and open (老翘). The green variety has a higher concentration of forsitoside E and is preferred.
Fruits picked before full maturity, steamed for 5 minutes to inactivate enzymes and set color, then dried. Higher concentration of active ingredients.
Fully ripe and open fruits, dried directly. Softer action than the green fruit.
Formulas it appears in
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
