Honeysuckle and Forsythia Combination - A Powerful Chinese Herbal Medicine Duo for Viruses and Bacteria

By Dr. Louis Jin - The Woodlands Acupuncture & Herbal Clinic  Honeysuckle and Forsythia Combination is a famous patent remedy of traditional Chinese medicine often used in the treatment of acute respiratory system ailments, such as flu/influenza and the common cold. It is based on the traditional formula Yin Qiao San: yin refers to flos lonicera - honeysuckle flower (jinyinhua); qiao refers to forsythia (lianqiao); san means powder.

In the name of the modern patent remedy Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian/Wan, the formula's function is also defined: Jie du means to remove (jie = remove by dispersing) toxins (du), pian means tablets; wan means balls/pills; where the toxin is a broad concept that encompasses, as a modern interpretation, viruses. Other types of toxins would be poisons associated with insect and snake bites, bacteria that cause skin abscesses, and changes in cells that lead to their abnormal growth or metabolism, as occurs in tumors. In most cases, toxins yield swellings, especially those that are reddened and/or that feel warm to the touch. Translations of the patent remedy name may refer to "antiphlogistic" action as an interpretation for jiedu; that is, it reduces inflammation or fever.

History

This combination was first recorded in the Wenbing Tiaobian (Detailed Analysis of Epidemic Febrile Diseases; 1798 A.D.) by Wu-Tang (1758-1836). This book was one of several similar publications that appeared at this time in Chinese medical history (during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty and throughout most of the Qing Dynasty), involving more than two centuries of intensive work on epidemic diseases. These diseases were called "warm" diseases (wen = warm; bing = disease), which were understood to come in waves, being passed on from person to person, causing fever as a characteristic symptom. Other well-known books on the same subject included the Wenyi Lun (Treatise on Acute Epidemic Febrile Diseases; 1642 A.D.), Wenre Lun (Treatise on Epidemic Fevers; 1746 A.D.), and Wenre Jingwei (An Outline of Epidemic Febrile Diseases; 1852 A.D.).

In sum, Yin Qiao San and Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian/Wan are highly respected remedies for wind-heat ailments, mainly influenza, caused by infectious agents. The formulas are also given for the treatment of several viral infections, other than influenza, and some bacterial infections, usually in the early stage. The herbs are administered a few times per day until the symptoms of the ailment have subsided, usually within two days after initiating therapy for upper respiratory infections. The use of the formula is not associated with any side effects except for people undergoing surgical procedures as they may enhance blood thinning. To dig deeper, one can see forsythia(Lian Qiao) when used alone can also treat symptoms like nausea and fever，and recent evidence studies have shown it may have some strong antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflamed

Traditionally In the past, lianqiao has been used to help treat various symptoms including fever, nausea, and sore throat. And it's often combined with other herbs to maximize the benefits, most commonly, honeysuckle flower. 

What the science says

The majority of published scientific studies on forsythia's medicinal properties have been conducted mostly either in animals or in vitr studies, researchers have found several properties that could help explain some of forsythia's purported benefits in traditional Chinese medicine including:

Antibacterial: A 2017 review published in Molecules found that in vitro, dried fruit from the forsythia plant has been shown to combat bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus (staph), E. coli, and streptococcus, amongst others.

Antiviral: A 2013 study published in Integrative Biology investigated the effects of both forsythia and Japanese honeysuckle on the influenza virus, and found that they both restrain the virus from multiplying and boost immune cell function. Another in vitro study, published in 2010 in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, suggests that forsythia could be effective against H1N1, as well.

Anti-inflammatory: For a 2017 study conducted in mice, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers reported that honeysuckle and forsythia show promise in treating intestinal inflammatory conditions like ulcerative colitis — a condition characterized by having inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract.

Due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, honeysuckle and forsythia are typically used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat bacterial and viral infections, and it's even been studied in treating certain cancers.

A 2015 study published in Molecular Medicine Reports put esophageal cancer cells into mice and found that honeysuckle and forsythia inhibited the growth of the cancer cells. However, more research needs to be done to determine the cancer-fighting ability of forsythia in humans. 

Forsythia in popular media

If forsythia sounds familiar to you it might be because you've seen it mentioned in the 2011 movie, "Contagion." While the movie focuses on a fictional virus, called MEV-1, the herbal remedy for it is real — forsythia.

How to take 

The Honeysuckle and Forsythia combination is generally sold as a powder or tincture. However, when used for medicinal purposes, it is important to follow dosing directions from the prescribing herbalist and take it at the onset of the first symptoms you notice, so for example, a fever or sore throat.

The safest and best way to take the combination is to discuss dosage with an herbal medicine expert or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner and almost. Doses and formulations can vary from person to person, and it's best to get some professional help when using forsythia. 

Potential risk

The risks of physical side effects from taking honeysuckle and forsythia are low. However, sometimes they may slow blood clotting, which means that there is a potential risk of extra bleeding and should not be used for at least two weeks before surgery. 

The bottom line

The honeysuckle and Forsythia combination has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help treat various bacterial and viral infections and is generally considered safe to take at home together, especially if recommended by a prescribing Herbalist.