Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms: Volume on Plants, Part 5

Forsythia (Lianqiao)

Forsythia grows in the mountain valleys of Mount Tai A sacred mountain in Shandong province, historically significant for gathering medicinal herbs., as well as in Hezhong, Jiangning, Runzhou, Zizhou, Yanzhou, Yazhou, Lizhou, and Nankang. It is found in all these regions.

There are two varieties: the Great Forsythia and the Small Forsythia. They grow in low-lying damp lands or upon mountain ridges. The leaves emerge as green sprouts that are narrow and long, resembling the leaves of an elm tree. The stems are reddish in color and reach a height of approximately three or four feet. The yellow flowers are quite lovely. In autumn, the plant bears fruit that resembles a lotus seedpod. Because the fruit stalks "rise up" (qiao) above the surrounding grasses, the plant earned its name Lianqiao The name Lianqiao (連翹) literally suggests "connected rising.". The roots are yellow, similar to the roots of artemisia. The seedpods are harvested in the eighth lunar month and dried in the shade.

The Small Forsythia grows on high plains and plateaus; its leaves, flowers, and fruit are all similar to the Great Forsythia but more delicate. It is also known as "Dry Lian Herb."

Today, physicians in the South say there are two distinct types of Forsythia. One type resembles the unopened fruit of the Chinese Toona (Toona sinensis); its shell is small and hard, and the exterior is complete without an attached calyx. When sliced open, the interior is fresh and the aroma is very fragrant. The other type is like a lotus bud (handan); the shell is soft and has an attached calyx clutching it. It lacks veins and has no fragrance.

It is also called "Strange Qiao," "Orchid Flower," or "Broken Root."

It is also named "Zhi" or "Sanzhe." The flavor is bitter, its nature is balanced, and it is non-toxic. It is primarily used to treat chills and fevers, scrofula Historically called "King's Evil," referring to swollen lymph nodes in the neck., chronic sores, carbuncles, swelling, malignant ulcers, goiters, tumors, heat stagnation, and poisoning from parasites, and it eliminates white intestinal worms.