FORSYTHIA

Forsythia has been used for treatment of bacterial infections & upper respiratory tract infections.
It is most commonly used in Chinese medicine for colds, bronchitis, strep throat & sore throats, fever, chills, chronic skin eruptions, acne or dermatitis.
It is used to treat boils, carbuncles, mumps & infected neck glands.

The leaves reduce fever & are also poulticed onto ulcerated glands & hemorrhoids.
A decoction of the leaves & twigs is used in the treatment of breast cancer.

FRUIT:

The fruit is harvested when fully ripe & is dried for use in decoctions.
Forsythia fruit is a proven diuretic, skin tonic, stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area & uterus, for tuberculous infection of the skin on the neck, reduces fever & expels intestinal worms.

Called lian qiao it’s unripe yellow fruit & seeds ground together. Lian qiao is used internally for chills, fevers, headaches & externally for burns, infections, rashes.
The fruit stimulates the heart, nervous system & gall bladder.
It contains vitamin P, which is used to strengthen capillaries.
It is used internally in the treatment of acute infectious diseases such as mumps & also for tonsillitis, urinary tract infections & allergic rashes.

Traditional Chinese Medicine also recommends the green fruit, which is steamed & dried for medicinal use.

Its antibiotic properties make it a popular remedy in China for ear infection.

FLOWERS:

The flowers have a broad-spectrum antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella dysenteriae, haemolytic streptococcus, Pneumococcus, Bacillus typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculi etc.

ROOT:

The root is used in the treatment of cancer, colds, fever & jaundice.

PRECAUTIONS:

Forsythia is contraindicated in pregnancy.

RECIPES:

Prepare a tea from forsythia, honeysuckle & lemon balm for viral infections such as cold & flu.
The tea is most effective when taken at the first sign of a viral infection.

BEAUTY:

Forsythia can be used for treating dandruff, acne & athlete’s foot.

MAGIC:

Forsythia marks the coming of springtime.
Crabgrass seed germinates when the forsythias are in bloom.
Increases feelings of anticipation.

Forsythia is a traditional flower at Imbolc & Ostara.