What are the effects of the Chinese herb Forsythia suspensa (Lian Qiao)?
Sep 02, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main effects of the Chinese herb Forsythia (Lianqiao) include clearing heat and detoxifying the body, reducing swelling and dispersing nodules, relieving superficial heat syndromes caused by wind-heat, promoting urination to relieve dysuria, and inhibiting bacteria and inflammation. This herb should be used according to medical advice. When using Forsythia, note that it has a slightly cold nature; patients with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach or those prone to diarrhea should avoid excessive or prolonged usage to prevent aggravating gastrointestinal discomfort.
Generally, the main effects of the traditional Chinese medicine Forsythia (Lianqiao) include clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing swelling and dispersing nodules, relieving wind-heat, promoting diuresis and relieving urinary difficulties, and inhibiting bacteria and reducing inflammation. The medication should be used according to medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying
Forsythia is slightly cold in nature and acts on the lung, heart, and small intestine meridians. It contains effective components such as forsythin, which can clear internal heat toxins. For symptoms caused by excessive internal heat, such as sore throat, oral ulcers, and swollen gums, appropriate use of Forsythia can help alleviate internal heat signs, reduce local inflammation, and relieve discomfort. It is often combined with honeysuckle to enhance the heat-clearing effect.
2. Reducing Swelling and Dissipating Nodules
Forsythia has the function of reducing swelling and resolving nodules. For conditions such as abscesses, carbuncles, scrofula, or phlegm nodules, when symptoms like redness, swelling, and painful lumps appear on the skin, Forsythia can promote local blood circulation, help dissipate the swelling, relieve pain, and accelerate healing.
3. Dispelling Wind-Heat
Forsythia can dispel external wind-heat pathogens. When symptoms of wind-heat感冒 (common cold), such as fever, slight aversion to cold, headache, cough, and yellow phlegm occur, Forsythia can help expel wind-heat, alleviate discomfort caused by the common cold, and is one of the commonly used herbs for treating wind-heat感冒.
4. Promoting Diuresis and Relieving Urinary Difficulties
Forsythia clears damp-heat from the lower jiao and promotes urination. For urinary symptoms caused by downward invasion of damp-heat, such as difficult urination, frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination, Forsythia can help clear damp-heat, improve urinary function, and relieve abnormal urinary symptoms.
5. Inhibiting Bacteria and Reducing Inflammation
The active components in Forsythia have inhibitory effects on certain bacteria and viruses and can also reduce inflammatory responses. When inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infections occurs, such as respiratory or skin inflammation, appropriate use of Forsythia can help inhibit pathogen growth, alleviate inflammatory symptoms, and support the body's recovery.
When using Forsythia, it is important to note that it is slightly cold in nature and may not be suitable for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency cold or those prone to diarrhea, as excessive or prolonged use may worsen gastrointestinal discomfort. Pregnant women should consult a professional TCM practitioner before use to ensure safety. It should not be arbitrarily combined with other herbs without guidance; usage should be based on individual conditions under professional supervision to avoid adverse reactions. It should be stored in a dry and ventilated place to prevent moisture and deterioration, and kept out of reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
