Forsythia
Forsythia suspensa · 连翘
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Lian qiao, Weeping forsythia, Forsythia fruit, Golden bells
Pinyin: Lián qiáo
The dried fruit of a yellow-flowered shrub, used in Chinese medicine for sore throats, boils and early infections.
Did you know? The shrub is named after William Forsyth, a British royal gardener of the late 1700s.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Sore throat & cough. Used in tradition for sore throat. Human trials are few, and most evidence is from lab studies.Traditional proof
- Infections. Lab studies show it can fight some bacteria and viruses. Human proof is lacking.Traditional proof
- Inflammation. Lab and animal studies show anti-inflammatory activity. Human data are lacking.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used forsythia fruit for sore throat, swollen glands, skin boils and early fevers from infection. It is in many heat-clearing formulas, including Yin Qiao San.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Antimicrobial, Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory. Energy: cooling.
- Chinese medicine
- 连翘 Clear heat. Nature: cool. Flavour: bitter, pungent. Enters the Lung, Heart and Small Intestine channels.
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 6 to 15 grams of dried fruit in a decoction. Few modern human doses are set. Capsules should follow the label.
Decoction, capsule, tincture and tea.
Where to get it
A shrub native to China and widely planted in gardens. The fruits are dried and sold in herb shops, and as capsules, tablets and teas.
Be careful
Usually mild. Rare allergic rash or stomach upset can occur. Pregnancy use is not well studied, so avoid it during pregnancy unless a clinician advises otherwise.
Avoid if: pregnancy.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Also in Sang Ju Yin, where forsythia fruit helps clear heat from the throat and chest.
- Works well together
Also in Sang Ju Yin, where forsythia fruit helps clear heat.
- Works well together
Yin Qiao San (Honeysuckle and Forsythia Powder) pairs them for early wind-heat colds and sore throat.
- Works well together
Both clear heat and toxins. They are often combined in Chinese practice for throat and flu-like infections, but no trial has tested the pairing.
Found in these formulas
Honeysuckle & Forsythia (TCM)
The honest take
Forsythia fruit is a common heat-clearing herb in Chinese medicine. Lab studies show antibacterial and antiviral effects, but human evidence is limited to small trials of combined formulas. Its benefits for sore throat and infections are traditional and not proven by good studies.