Gua Lou Pi
Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm; Opens the Chest and Disperses Stagnation; Clears Lung Heat and Stops Cough; Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness
Botanical Description
Trichosanthes kirilowii is a perennial dioecious climbing vine in the Cucurbitaceae, native to northern and central China, Korea, and Japan. From a large fleshy tuberous root system, slender ridged stems climb by branched tendrils to 5 metres or more. The alternate leaves are deeply palmately three- to seven-lobed with coarsely toothed margins. White flowers, the corolla lobes fringed with long thread-like segments, open at dusk; male flowers are borne in racemes, female flowers solitary. The fruit is a smooth ovoid to globose pepo about 8-10 cm in diameter, ripening from green to orange-yellow, with a thin leathery rind enclosing yellow pulp and flat ovate seeds. The dried mature rind, separated from pulp and seed, constitutes Gua Lou Pi.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Gua Lou Pi (trichosanthes fruit peel) is a cool, sweet-bitter herb used to clear Phlegm-Heat from the Lungs and relieve chest tightness. It addresses coughs with thick, yellow, difficult-to-expectorate phlegm associated with Lung Heat, and its Qi-regulating action relieves the constricting chest fullness and pain of Phlegm-Heat obstructing the thorax. It is a key ingredient in classical formulas for both Lung Heat cough and chest pain related to cardiac conditions.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.