Trichosanthes Semen, Gua Lou Ren 瓜娄仁 Gua Lou Ren, Gua Lou Zi  (TCM) Dian Nan Ben Cao Tu Shuo (Illustrated Yunnan Pharmacopoeia) Ming Dynasty (1773 edition) (Welcome, Wikimedia) Trichosanthes kirilowii var. japonica(Photo by 杉山龍彦) (Wikimedia) Botanical name: Trichosanthes kirilowii, T.  rosthornii Parts used: Trichosanthes Seed Temperature & Taste: Cold, moist. Sweet Classification: P. Clears Hot Phlegm Uses: 1. Moistens the Lungs, Opens the Chest, Clears Phlegm-Heat:-Phlegm-Heat Cough with yellow, sticky, hard-to-clear Phlegm-stifling feeling in the chest, Chest pain or pressure from Phlegm obstruction-“quenches thirst due to consumptive disease. It moistens the Heart and Lungs” (Da Ming)2. Moistens the Intestines:-dry Constipation-also for Dysentery with Blood (Da Ming)3. Clears Pus, Resolves Abscesses:-adjunct for Swellings and Abscesses; Sores that have not suppurated-Abscess of the Lung, Breast or Intestines Dose: Decoction: 9–15 gramsPowder: 1–3 grams Preparation: 1. Dry-fried Trichosanthes Seed:  Dry-fry the Seeds until scorched or until they swell or pop. This moderates the coldness and reduces the taste which can be nauseous for some people. It also facilitates easier powdering. Main Combinations: 1. Phlegm-Heat Cough:i. Trichosanthes Semen Gua Lou Ren with Pinellia Ban Xia, Coptis Huang Lian2. Chest pain or oppression from Phlegm and Qi obstruction, Trichosanthes Semen Gua Lou Ren with Pinellia…

You must be logged in to view this content, please login. If you're not a member then Click this link to subscribe