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Herb Documents

Properties & Channels

Drug Interactions

Incompatible Herbs

Toxic or Endangered

Latin Name Notes

Gua Lou Ren (Trichosanthes Seeds)

Herb 7 of 19 in Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat

Gua Lou Ren (Semen Trichosanthis Kirlowii)

Channels:
LI, LU, ST

Properties:
Sweet, Cold

Latin Name:
Semen Trichosanthis Kirlowii

Actions

Transforms Phlegm-Heat, Moistens the Lungs, Expand the Chest
For cough with thick, difficult to expectorate sputum and chest pain. Also for pain and stifling sensation in the chest or diaphragm due to Accumulation of Phlegm in the chest
Moistens the Intestines
For dry stools and constipation due to Stomach and Large Intestine Heat or in a patter of Lung heat
Promotes Healing of Sores, Eliminates Pus, Dissipates Nodules
For breast and Intestinal abscesses, sores that have not suppurated, and carbuncles.

Contraindications and Cautions

Do not use in cases with nausea or loose stools due to weak Spleen
Do not use with Wu Tou

Herb-Drug Interactions

This section is being researched, and is not completed.

Toxicity and Overdose

None Noted

Dosage

10-15 grams in decoction (Chen)
9-15 grams in decoction (Bensky)

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

Ke Xue Fang (Coughing of Blood Formula)
Formulas that Clear Heat and Stop Bleeding
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)
Formulas that Clear Heat and Transform Phlegm

This herb is incompatible with:

Fu Zi (Radix Lateralis Praeparatus Aconiti Carmichaeli)
Cao Wu (Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii Preparata)
Chuan Wu (Radix Aconiti Preparata)

References

Herbs

13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
- Dan Bensky

25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
- Fugh-Berman A.

17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
- John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen

26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
- Max Wichtl

Formulas

15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
- Dan Bensky

18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
- Qiao Yi

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.