Trichosanthes Pericarpium, Gua Lou Pi 瓜娄皮

Gua Lou Pi (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)

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Botanical name:

Trichosanthes kirilowii, T. rosthornii

Parts used:

Trichosanthes fruit peel

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, Sweet

Classification:

P. Clears Hot Phlegm

Uses:

1. Clears Phlegm-Heat, Stops Cough:
-dry Cough, hard-to-clear Phlegm
-dry, hoarse Throat from Wind-Heat

2. Moves the Qi, Opens the Chest:
-obstruction, constriction or pressure in the chest from Qi obstruction
-early stage of Breast Abscess

Dose:

Decoction: 6–12 grams

Main Combinations:

1. Phlegm-Heat Cough, … available in PRO version
2. Early stages of Breast Abscess, … available in PRO version

Cautions:

1. Not used for those with Diarrhea from Stomach and Spleen weakness.

Drug Interactions:

1. Not used with Aconite species (counteracts); Incompatible with Ginger and Achyranthes Niu Xi.

Trichosanthes Pericarpium, Gua Lou Pi FREE