Lian Qiao – Forsythia – Fructus Forsythiae

Lian Qiao

English name: forsythia fruit

Pharmaceutical name: Fructus Forsythiae

Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Eliminating Herbs

Properties: Lian Qiao enters the Lung, Heart, and Gallbladder channels; it is bitter in nature and cool in temperature

What is Lian Qiao?:

The Chinese Herb Lian Qiao is the ripening fruit of the Forsythia plant (which is green in color and sometimes referred to as Qing Qiao). Fully ripened forsythia fruit can also be used medicinally—they are referred to as is Liao Qiao in Chinese nomenclature– but are considered to be less effective that the semi-matured, green fruits.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Lian Qiao:

Lian Qiao has an ascending and dispersing nature and is used to clear heat and eliminate toxins from the exterior layers of the body (i.e. clears exterior wind heat). In other contexts it can be used in formula to clear heat from the interior of the body as well (i.e. from the blood/nutritive level).