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Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructum): The taste is light and slightly bitter, and the nature is cool. It possesses ascending, floating, diffusing, and dispersing properties, promoting the circulation of Qi and Blood, treating Qi stagnation and Blood stasis in the twelve meridians, and serving as a key herb for treating sores and ulcers. It can penetrate the exterior to resolve the muscle layer, clear Heat, and expel Wind, making it an essential herb for treating Wind-Heat conditions. Furthermore, its property allows it to push toxins outward, making it a crucial herb for venting rashes and hives. Due to its cool nature and ascending-floating quality, it is also effective in treating disorders of the head and eyes; it can primarily treat headaches, eye pain, toothache, Bi Yuan (nasal sinusitis), or conditions involving turbid nasal discharge leading to brain leakage. Because its light taste promotes urination, it is also adept at treating Lin syndrome (dysuria) and inflammation of the urinary tract.

The "Lian Yao" used in Zhang Zhongjing's formulas refers to the root of Lianqiao, which is the "Lian Gen" recorded in *Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica). Its nature is similar to that of Lianqiao, but its ability to release the exterior is inferior to Lianqiao, while its diuretic power surpasses it. Therefore, Zhang Zhongjing used it in Mahuang Lianqiao Chixiaodou Tang (Ephedra, Forsythia Root, and Red Bean Decoction) to treat stagnant Heat trapped inside the body with impending jaundice, utilizing its ability to guide Damp-Heat downward.

Previous authorities did not mention that Lianqiao induces sweating. However, when used to treat exogenous Wind-Heat, a dosage of one liang (approx. 30g) will inevitably induce sweating. Moreover, its diaphoretic action is very gentle and prolonged. I once treated a young man who had just contracted Wind-Warmth disease. I prescribed him to take a decoction of single-herb Lianqiao (one liang). He sweated mildly throughout the night, and by the next morning, his illness had vanished.

Lianqiao excels at regulating Liver Qi; it can both soothe Liver Qi stagnation and pacify excessive Liver Qi. I once treated an elderly woman over seventy years old who had suffered from swelling and pain in her hand extending to her arm for several years without cure. Her pulse was wiry and forceful. In the prescription for clearing Heat and reducing swelling, I added four qian (approx. 12g) of Lianqiao per dose. After ten days, the swelling subsided and the pain ceased. Her family stated that she was previously prone to anger, but after taking this medicine, not only did her illness heal, but her anger disappeared completely. What herb could be so miraculous! From this, we can see that Lianqiao is indeed a key herb for regulating Liver Qi.

Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fructus): Those the size of a chestnut are Chuanlianzi. Liuzi produced elsewhere are smaller and more bitter; when the kernel is removed, they are called Jinlingzi. The taste is slightly sour and slightly bitter, and the nature is cool. Sour enters the Liver; Bitter descends effectively. It can guide Heat from the Liver and Gallbladder downward to exit via urine, thus treating Liver Qi rebellion and blazing Gallbladder Fire causing throbbing pain under the hypochondrium. It also treats pain caused by Qi stagnation in the epigastrium, utilizing the principle that Wood (Liver) can loosen Earth (Spleen/Stomach). Although its nature is cool, it is frequently used as a guiding herb for treating hernia because its descending power can lead other herbs to the affected area. As for the bitter Liuzi from other regions, due to its bitter taste and slight toxicity, it is commonly used by those specializing in expelling parasites.