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Forsythia Fruit (Forsythiae suspensae)

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Botanical Name :Forsythiae suspensae
Family   : OLEACEAE Olive Family

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Genus: Forsythia
Species: F. suspensa
Synonyms : Syringa suspensa.

Common Names :  Forsythia Fruit , Lian Qiao, yellow bell

Parts Used: Fruit

Habitat : It is Native China.Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan and throughout northern China. Now it grows in several places in the world.

Description:
A decidious Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Mar to April. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is not self-fertile.

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Forsythia bushes are a popular ornamental here in the West, and like many other popular ornamental plants, forsythia has a long history of medicinal use in Forsythia fruit is combined with another backyard favorite, honeysuckle, in one of the most widely used cold remedies in China.Forsythia suspensa is a large to very large shrub, can be grown as a weeping shrub on banks, and has paler flowers. Many named garden cultivars can also be found. It belongs to spring flowering shrubs, with yellow flowers. And, it is grown and prized for being tough, reliable garden plants..

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Forsythia fruit is the fruit of those lovely bright yellow bushes that are often the first thing to bloom in spring in any northern climate. Native to China, forsythia grows nearly everywhere in the world. In the US it is grown mostly as an ornamental. It is named for 18th century English gardening expert William Forsyth, who was one of the founders of the Royal Horticulture Society. Although native to China, it was brought to the west by botanist Robert Fortune in 1833. The fruit is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat colds and viral infections that present with a fever, as an anti inflammatory, antipyretic, and as part of a cardiovascular tonic. It was generally prescribed for all types of “over-heating” or heat related conditions. It’s most often combined with honeysuckle flowers in honeysuckle forsythia fruit, which is possibly the most widely used cold remedy in mainland China and in Chinese immigrant centers in other countries.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.It requires moist soil.

Cultivation :
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in all soil types but prefers a rich soil. Succeeds in limey soils. Grows well in heavy clay soils. It prefers a sunny position but succeeds in semi shade though it is apt to get leggy if grown in the shade of trees. Succeeds against a north-facing wall. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. The flowers are produced quite early in the year and are frost-resistant. Plants are medium to fast growing. Flowers are produced on wood that is more than one year old. Any pruning is best done after the plant has finished flowering. A very ornamental plant, there are several named varieties. This species is notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation:
Seed – sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates within 2 months. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood 10 – 15cm taken at a node, July/August in a frame. Plant out in autumn or spring. A very high percentage, they root within 3 weeks. Cuttings of mature wood in a sheltered outdoor bed. Good percentage. Layering in spring or summer. Plants often self-layer.

Main Chemical Content: forsythin, matairesinoside, betulinic acid, phyillygenin, pinoresinol,phillyrin,arctiin,forsythoside C,forsythoside D,etc.

Medicinal Uses:

Antidote;  Antiphlogistic;  Antitussive;  Cancer;  Diuretic;  Emmenagogue;  Febrifuge;  Laxative;  Tonic;  Vermifuge.

Lian Qiao has been used in Chinese herbalism for over 4,000 years and is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. A bitter tasting pungent herb with an antiseptic effect, it is chiefly used to treat boils, carbuncles, mumps and infected neck glands. The fruit is a bitter astringent herb that stimulates the heart, nervous system and gall bladder. It contains vitamin P, which is used to strengthen capillaries. The fruit is also antidote, antiphlogistic, antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, laxative and tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of acute infectious diseases such as mumps, and also for tonsillitis, urinary tract infections allergic rashes etc. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for use in decoctions. The plant has a similar action to Lonicera japonica and is usually used in combination with that species to achieve a stronger action. The flowers have a broad-spectrum antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, haemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Bacillus typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc. The plant is vermifuge, though the part used is not stated. The leaves are febrifuge and are also poulticed onto ulcerated glands and haemorrhoids. A decoction of the leaves and twigs is used in the treatment of breast cancer. The root is used in the treatment of cancer, colds, fever and jaundice.

Remedies For:
Antibacterial, antiemetic, parasiticide, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory.

Forsythia is commonly used for the common cold or influenza. It is also useful for toxic sores, carbuncles, swollen lymph nodes, Forsythia should be considered when there is high fever with thirst and delirium. Forsythia fruit is commonly used for a variety of inflammatory conditions, including colds, sore throat, fevers, influenza, boils, car- buncles, and furuncles, and for the treatment of cancer (especially lung, throat, and breast cancer).

Properties:Bitter, Slightly Spicy, Cool

Clears Heat Toxins and Disperses Lumps and Nodules
For all sores from heat including abscesses, neck lumps, scrofula, and carbuncles.

Clears Wind-Heat
:   For Wind-Heat common cold. Also effective in treating high fever, thirst, and delirium.

Forsythia fruit has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, though the first mention of its most common use * in honeysuckle forsythia flower blend * is in a 1789 herbal compendium. There?s been little modern research, though the anecdotal evidence for its effectiveness against fever, cough and chest complaints is well-documented in the annals of traditional medicine. One small study from Korea suggests that constituents found in forsythia flower may be helpful in improving the cholesterol profile by increasing the proportion of ‘good’ cholesterol in the blood and encouraging the excretion of bad cholesterol. In modern Chinese herbal medicine, lian qiao (forsythia fruit) is prescribed when a broad spectrum antibiotic effect is desired. In addition, forsythia fruit seems to have an antimicrobial, anti-emetic and anti-parasitic effect.

Modern applications: Antimicrobial effect, antiparasitic effect, antiemetic effect, for retina hemorrhage, for acute kidney infection, for pus forming in lungs, acute liver infection, and psoriasis.

Safety  Precautions: Forsythia fruit should not be used by those with weak and cold spleen/stomach conditions or for sores that are already open or are caused by yin deficiency.There are no reports of harmful side effects of using forsythia fruit, however its use while pregnant should be avoided.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.holistic-online.com/herbal-Med/_Herbs/h359.htm
http://www.mdidea.com/products/proper/proper012paper.html#01
http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/forsythiafruit.php
http://woodyplants.nres.uiuc.edu/plant/forsu
http://www.bacara-gardens.ro/plante.html
http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/images/low/Z920-0901020.jpg

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Forsythia+suspensa

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsythia_suspensa

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