Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou)
Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (Fam. Cucurbitaceae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus
Trichosanthes
Botanical Name: 1. Trichosanthes
kirilowii Maxim.; 2. Trichosanthes
rosthornii Harms. (Fam.
Cucurbitaceae)
Common Name: Trichosanthes fruit,
Snakeground fruit.
Source of Earliest Record: Mingyi Bielu.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:
Dried ripe fruit.
Fructus Trichosanthis is grown
in most parts of China, where it is collected in autumn. The fruit is
hung and dried in the shade.
The peel and seeds can be used separately and are called Pericarpium
Trichosanthis and Semen Trichosanthis, respectively.
Properties & Taste: Sweet and cold.
Meridians: Lung, stomach and large
intestine.
Functions:
1. To clear heat and resolve phlegm; 2. To moisten dryness and move feces; 3.
To regulate qi in the chest and release nodules.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Phlegm-heat cough manifested as cough
with yellow and thick sputum, stifling sensation in the chest and constipation.
Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) is used with Arisaema tuber with bile (Dannanxing)
and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the formula Qingqi Huatan Wan.
2. Phlegm, dampness and stagnated blood
blocking the chest manifested as stifling sensation and pain in the chest, and
chest pain referring to the back of the body. Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou)
is used with Macrostem onion (Xiebai) and Pinellia tuber (Banxia) in the
formula Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang.
3. Phlegm and heat accumulating in the chest
and epigastric region manifested as fullness and stifling sensation in the
chest and epigastric region. Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) is used with
Coptis root (Huanglian) and Pinellia tuber (Banxia) in the formula Xiao
Xianxiong Tang.
4. Constipation. Trichosanthes fruit
(Gualou) is used with Bush-cherry seed (Yuliren), Hemp seed (Huomaren), and
Bitter orange (Zhiqiao).
5. Mastitis (swollen and painful breasts).
Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou) is used with Frankincense (Ruxiang), Dandelion
herb (Pugongying) and Myrrh (Moyao).
Dosage: 10-20 g, Fructus Trichosanthis; 6–12 g Pericarpium Trichosanthis;
10–15 g Semen
Trichosanthis, decocted in water for an oral dose.
Cautions & Contraindications: It is prohibited for loose stool
due to spleen deficiency because of its sweet, cold and slick property. It is
antagonistic to Aconite (Wu Yao).
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