Oleaceae
Forsythia Fruit
Forsythia suspensa
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: China, Korea, Japan
Also known as: Lian Qiao, Weeping Forsythia, Suspense Forsythia
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Fruit
Therapeutic Uses
Acute febrile infections (TCM wind-heat conditions), sore throat, skin infections, upper respiratory infections. Part of Yin Qiao San formula — most used TCM fever and cold formula.
Herbal Actions
Antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, immunostimulant
Active Constituents
Phenylethane glycosides (forsythoside A and B — primary antimicrobial), lignans (phillyrin, phillygenol), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), volatile oil
Preparation Methods
🍵 Decoction🏺 Tincture💊 Capsule
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 6–15g dried fruit per 500ml, simmer 20 min, 3–4x daily during acute illness |
| Tincture | 3–5 ml (1:5, 45% ethanol), 3–4x daily |
| Notes | Central in Yin Qiao San (with honeysuckle) — most used TCM acute respiratory formula. Forsythoside A potent antimicrobial. Best for early stages of infection. Take at first symptoms. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (cold herbs in TCM). Caution in cold/deficient constitutions. Generally safe.
Side Effects: GI upset. Nausea (high doses). Very well tolerated.