Fructus Forsythiae
Pharmaceutical Name
Fructus Forsythiae
Botanical Name
Forsythia suspensa(Thunb.)Vahl
Commom Name
Forsythia fruit
Source of Earliest Record
Shennong Bencao Jing
Part Used &Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations
The green fruit gathered in the period of White Dew (fiftheenth solar term) is better than the yellow fruit picked in the period of Cold Dew (seventeenth solar term). The fruit is steamed, dried in the sun, and its seeds separated from the flesh.
Properties & Taste
Bitter and slightly cold
Meridians
Heart, lung and gall bladder
Functions
To clear heat and release toxins;
To relieve carbuncles and disperse nodules
Indications & Combinations
Febrile disease (a) exogenous pathogenic heat at the defensive qi level manifested as headache, fever, thirst and sore throat. Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao) is used with Arctium fruit (Niubangzi) and Mentha (Bohe); (b) exogenous pathogenic heat entering the pericardium manifested as high fever, irritability and loss of consciousness. Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao) is used with Rhinoceros horn (Xijiao) and Lotus seed (Lianzi).
Boils, carbuncles and furuncles. Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao) is used with Wild chrysanthemum flower (Yejuhua) and Honeysuckle flower (Jinyinhua).
Scrofula. Forsythia fruit (Lianqiao) is used with Prunella spike (Xiakucao), Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu).
Dosage
6-10g
Cautions & Contraindications
This herb is contraindicated during heat in the blood due to deficient yin, diarrhea due to weakness of the spleen.