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(Recorded in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
[Correction] The "Qiaogen" (Root of Forsythia), originally listed under "Known Name but Unused" in *Shennong Bencao Jing*, is merged into this entry.
[Names] Lian (from *Erya*), Yiqiao (from *Erya*), Hanlianzi (from *Yaoxing Lun*), Lanhua (from *Shennong Bencao Jing*). The root is named Lianyao (used by Zhang Zhongjing) or Zhegen.
Su Gong said: Its fruit resembles a lotus pod and stands out above other grasses, hence the name.
Kou Zongshi said: Forsythia actually does not stand out above other grasses. It is abundant in the valleys of Mount Tai. When its seeds are broken, they resemble fishhooks linked together; it likely derived its name from this resemblance.
Li Shizhen said: According to *Erya*: "Lian is Yiqiao." This indicates that the original name was Lian, with the alias Yiqiao, which people later combined to call Lianqiao. Lianyao is also written as Liantiao, referring to the Qiaogen in the Lower Grade of *Shennong Bencao Jing*. In Tang Dynasty's *Xinxiu Bencao* compiled by Su Gong, it was demoted to the "Known Name but Unused" category; now it is merged into one. Hanlian refers to Xiaoqiao; people consider it to be Li Chang (a plant), hence the shared name.
[Collection and Explanation] *Mingyi Bielu* states: Forsythia grows in the valleys of Mount Tai; it is harvested in August and dried in the shade.
Tao Hongjing said: It is found everywhere. Currently, the stem, flower, and fruit are used medicinally.
Su Gong said: There are two types of this herb: Daqiao (Large Forsythia) and Xiaoqiao (Small Forsithia). Daqiao grows in low, wet areas; its leaves are narrow and long like those of *Perilla frutescens*; the flowers are yellow and attractive; the fruits resemble unopened seeds of Toona sinensis, forming pods that stand out above the grass. Xiaoqiao grows on hills and plains; its leaves, flowers, and fruits resemble Daqiao but are smaller and finer. People in southern Shan use both; currently, only the fruits of Daqiao are used in Chang'an, not the stems or flowers.
Su Song said: It is now found near Bianjing, as well as in Hezhong, Jiangning, Runzhou, Zizhou, Zezhou, Yanzhou, Dingzhou, Yuezhou, Lizhou, and Nankang Jun. There are two varieties: Daqiao grows in low wetlands or on hills; it has green, narrow, long leaves resembling elm or *Perilla frutescens*; the stem is reddish, three to four chi tall, single-stemmed, with yellow flowers at the tips, and fruits resembling lotus pods in autumn. Xiaoqiao's leaves, flowers, and fruits resemble Daqiao but are smaller. Those growing in the south have narrower, smaller leaves, shorter stems (only one to two chi high), yellow flowers, and yellow-black fruit pods containing black seeds like millet grains; it is also called Hanlian. Southern people use its flowers and leaves. Current southern physicians say there are two types of Forsythia: one resembles unopened Toona sinensis seeds, with small, hard, intact shells, no calyx, splitting open when cut, with a very fragrant aroma; the dry fruits fall off easily when shaken and do not stay attached to the stem. The other resembles a lotus bud, with soft shells wrapped by an external calyx, no splitting lines, and no fragrance; even when dried for a long time, it remains attached to the stem. These two are very different; the latter is extremely common in the low wetlands of Jiangnan. The type resembling Toona sinensis comes from Shu (Sichuan) and is superior for medicinal use compared to those from Jiangnan. According to Bencao texts, the Shu variety should be superior, although I have not seen its stems and leaves.
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
Zhang Yuansu said: It is cool in nature and bitter in flavor; its qi and flavor are thin, light, clear, and floating, belonging to ascending yang. It should be crushed by hand before use.
Li Gao said: It belongs to yin within yang. It enters the Hand-Shaoyang, Hand-Yangming, and Hand-Shaoyin meridians.
Li Shizhen said: Slightly bitter and pungent.
[Indications] Treats chills and fever, scrofula (lymphatic tuberculosis), carbuncles, malignant sores, goiter, accumulated heat, and gu poison (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Eliminates roundworms (*Mingyi Bielu*). Promotes urination in cases of five stranguries, urinary obstruction, and clears guest-heat from the heart (*Zhen Quan*). Dissolves blood stasis and qi stagnation in various meridians, reduces swelling (*Li Gao*). Clears heart fire, removes damp-heat from spleen and stomach, treats blood disorders in the middle jiao, and acts as a guiding herb (*Zhu Zhenheng*).
[Elucidation] Zhang Yuansu said: Forsythia has three uses: first, clearing guest-heat from the Heart Meridian; second, clearing heat from the upper jiao; third, it is the sacred medicine for sores and ulcers.
Li Gao said: It is indispensable among herbs for treating sores and ulcers across the twelve meridians, embodying the principle of "scattering what is knotted."
Wang Haogu said: It is a herb for the Hand and Foot Shaoyang meridians, effective in treating sores, ulcers, tumors, goiters, and tubercles, working similarly to Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), but distinguishing between qi and blood pathologies. Used with Niubangzi (Arctii Fructus), it yields miraculous results for sores and ulcers.
Li Shizhen said: Forsythia resembles the human heart, composed of two halves joined together, with aromatic kernels inside. It is the principal herb for the Qi level of the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin and the Pericardium Meridian of Hand-Jueyin. All pain, itching, sores, and ulcers belong to heart fire; therefore, it is the sacred medicine for sores and ulcers across the twelve meridians, and additionally treats heat in the Qi level of the Hand-Shaoyang, Hand-Yangming, and Foot-Shaoyang meridians.
[Prescriptions] One old prescription, two new prescriptions.
Scrofula and tubercles: Equal parts of Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) and Sesame, ground into powder, consumed frequently. (*Jianbian Fang*)
Mar刀的 (Marlin-shaped swelling on the neck, belonging to Shaoyang Meridian): Use 2 jin of Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus), 1 jin of Qumai (Dianthi Herba), 3 liang of Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), and half a liang of Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma). For each dose, take 1 liang, add 1.5 bowls of water, decoct to 0.7 bowl, and take hot after meals. After more than ten days, moxa the Linqi point (GB15) fourteen times; efficacy will be determined within sixty days. (Zhang Jiegu, *Huofa Jiyao*)
Hemorrhoid swelling and pain: Decoct Lianqiao (Forsythiae Fructus) for fumigation and washing, then apply green vitriol (processed by scraping with a knife) mixed with Musk to the affected area. (*Jiyan Fang*)
Stems and Leaves
[Indications] Clears accumulated heat in the Heart and Lung (Li Shizhen).
Qiaogen (Root of Forsythia)
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, cold/neutral, slightly toxic. Pu Yue: Shennong and Leigong considered it sweet and toxic. Li Dangzhi considered it bitter. Wang Haogu said: Bitter, cold.
[Indications] Descends rebellious qi, benefits yin essence, improves complexion, brightens the eyes. Long-term use makes the body light and delays aging (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Steeped in wine for patients (*Mingyi Bielu*). Treats yellowing due to stagnant heat in typhoid (*Li Shizhen*).
[Elucidation] *Shennong Bencao Jing* states: Qiaogen grows in flat marshes of Songgao; harvested in February and August.
Tao Hongjing said: It is not used in prescriptions; few people recognize it.
Wang Haogu said: This is the root of Forsythia. It descends heat, which is why Zhang Zhongjing used it in Mahuang Lianqiao Xiaodou Tang to treat stagnant heat in typhoid located internally. The commentary notes: "It is the root of Forsythia."
[Prescriptions] One new prescription.
Carbuncle and ulcerous swelling: Use one sheng each of Forsythia herb and root, add sixteen sheng of water, boil down to three sheng of decoction, and take orally to induce sweating. (*Waitai Miyao*)