Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Forsythia (Forsythia suspensa) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of febrile illnesses, including the common cold and upper respiratory tract infections. Forsythia is often paired with Lonicera japonica (honeysuckle) in the well-known TCM formula Yin Qiao San, which is traditionally given at the onset of colds, particularly those characterized by sore throat and fever. The rationale for its use is based on the TCM principles of "clearing heat" and "removing toxins," concepts that loosely correspond to targeting symptoms of infection.

Modern laboratory studies have identified various compounds in forsythia, such as forsythoside A, lignans, and flavonoids, that display antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and some antiviral activities in vitro. However, high-quality clinical evidence demonstrating that forsythia is effective as an antiviral agent in humans, specifically for colds, remains limited. Some small clinical studies and animal experiments suggest potential benefits, but results are inconsistent and the quality of trials is generally low. Most scientific reviews conclude that while forsythia may have some bioactive properties, there is insufficient rigorous clinical evidence to fully endorse its use for viral upper respiratory infections.

In summary, forsythia’s use for colds is primarily justified by traditional medicine practices rather than strong scientific validation. The evidence level is rated as 2, reflecting promising but inconclusive preclinical findings and a strong historical precedent of use, but a lack of robust human clinical data.

More about forsythia
More about Colds (antiviral)

Other ingredients used for Colds (antiviral)

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