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[Shennong Bencao Jing · Lower Grade]
[Taste and Nature] Bitter, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats chills and fever (Hanre), scrofula (Shuluo - lymphatic tuberculosis), carbuncles, sores, malignant ulcers, heat accumulation in goiters and tumors (Yingliu), and gu poison (Gudu).
[Evidence] It is stated: Lianqiao grows in the valleys of Mount Tai, as well as in present-day Bianjing (Kaifeng), Hezhong, Jiangning, Runzhou, Zizhou, Zezhou, Yanzhou, Dingzhou, Yuezhou, Lizhou, etc., all of which produce it, but those from Sichuan are considered superior. There are two types: Daqiao (Large Forsythia) and Xiaoqiao (Small Forsythia). Daqiao grows in low, wet areas or on hillsides; its leaves are emerald green, resembling elm leaves or Perilla frutescens (Shuisu); the stem is three to four chi high with a slightly reddish color; flowers bloom only at the tip of the single stem, yellow and pleasing; fruits appear in the third autumn, resembling the chambers of lotus pods or unopened Ailanthus seeds; it stands out among other grasses, with a small, hard, intact shell without sepals; when split, it divides in the middle, emitting a very fragrant aroma; the dried fruit is dry and falls off upon shaking, as if not attached to the stem; the root is white and hard, resembling that of Artemisia annua (Qinghao). Xiaoqiao grows on hills and plains; its stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits resemble those of Daqiao but are smaller. In ancient times, the stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits were used together; nowadays, only the fruits are used, and the use of stems and leaves has not been seen. There is a variety in the south with short stems and small leaves, whose fruits are yellow-black, with seeds like millet grains; this is Eclipta prostrata (Hanlian). Another variety resembles Nelumbo nucifera (Handan); its shell is soft, with attached sepals outside, enclosing it without separation lines, lacking fragrance, does not fall off when dried, remains on the stem for a long time, and has distinctly different efficacy.
[Commentary] It is stated: The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) once used the canopy of a carriage to describe pulse conditions, stating that "abundant like a carriage canopy" indicates Yang Qi binding (Yangjie) and also Yang Qi excess (Yangsheng). The Bencao Jing names this herb Lianqiao; does it imply binding Yang excess? Also known as Lianyao, yao refers to a small carriage; carriages are used to pull heavy loads and travel far, thereby relieving obstruction. The Zhouli (Rites of Zhou) states that carriages embody the imagery of Heaven and Earth, speaking of Yin and Yang, interior and exterior, truly serving as the pivot of opening and closing. Therefore, it primarily treats heat binding in the center, manifesting as chills and fever and scrofula; its root lies in the Zang organs, while its branches manifest in the neck and axillary regions. If it is Gu poison, this pathogen sinks into the Zang organs; if it is goiter, tumor, or carbuncle, this pathogen floats in the meridians; all belong to diseases where chills and fever are the etiology, and heat binding is the morphological manifestation. Its efficacy is comparable to Prunella vulgaris (Xiakucao), but Xiakucao tends to treat from the root, inheriting the cold-water transformation command, thus reaching up to the vertex and down to the dorsum of the foot and heel; Lianqiao tends to treat from the branch, inheriting a balanced taste and nature, thus spreading externally to the skin and interstices, and internally to the five Zang centers. Regarding resolving binding from the heart, the principle is the same. My late father said: Lianqiao treats scrofula, carbuncles, sores, and tumors, all believed to arise from Qi binding; it takes advantage of its shape being light and easily falling, thus capable of self-dispersion. The Bencao Gangmu states that its shape resembles the human heart, hence entering the Heart meridian, because pain, itching, sores, and ulcers all belong to Heart Fire. Li Dongyuan stated that among herbs for sores in the twelve meridians, this one is indispensable; why must it resemble the human heart? However, the single stem is red, and the fruiting part is located superiorly, originally possessing the imagery of the Heart. It is also said: To disperse blood binding and Qi aggregation, this is using binding to treat binding; one should read "san" as the rising tone (sǎn, meaning to disperse/resolve), not the departing tone (sàn, meaning to scatter/distribute). Resolving leads to natural dispersion with less effort; distributing implies active dispersal. This is what my late father fully explained regarding the treated conditions; I, Lu Zhiyi, merely briefly explain the reasons for treatment. Combining the cause of treatment and the treated condition, the meaning behind the name becomes clear.