It is the dried mature fruit of TrichoPowderthes kirilowii Maxim. and TrichoPowderthes rosthornill Harms, family Cucurbitaceae. The fruits are collected in autumn when they are ripe. They are dreid in shade or the peels and seeds are dried separtely after the pulp is removed. The peels or the seeds can be used in raw or stir-baked form. the seeds can also be made into frost-like powder. When the peel and seeds are used together, it is Quangulou.
[ Medicinal Properties ]: Sweet and cold; relate to lung, stomach and large intestine meridians.
[ Mediicnal Efficacies ] : Clear heat and resolve phlegm; ease chest to dissipate mass; moisten intestine and release bowls.
[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Phlegm-heat causing cough and dyspnea For inner accumulation of phlegm-heat manifested as cough with yellowish and thick sputum, chest oppression and difficult defecation, it is combined with Huangqin, Dannanxing and Zhishi, such as Qingqi Huatan Pills.
2. Chest impediment, thoracic accumulation For phlegm-turbidity obstruction and stagnation of yang qi in chest causing chest pain, it is combined with Xiebai and Banxia in Gualou Xiebai Banxie Decoction. For accumulation of phlegm-heat in chest, fullness and oppression in chest and hypochonth painin pressure, it is combined with Banxia and Huanglian, such as Xiaoxianxiong Decoction.
3. Pulmonary abscess, intestinal abscess, mammary abscess In combination with Yuxingcao and Lugen, it treats pulmonary abscess coughing up pus and blood. For intestinal abscess, it is used with Baijiangcao and Hongteng. It treat swelling, pain and hot sensation in the early stage of mammary abscess with Pugongying and Jinyinhua.
4. Intestinal dryness with constipation Gualouren or Gualourenshuang is usually used to combine Huomaren, Yuliren and Zhiqiao.
[ Usage and Dosage ]: 10-20g of Quangualou, 6-12g of Gualoupi or 10-15 of Gualouren is used.
[ Precautions ]: It is incompatible with Wutou.
瓜蒌为葫芦科植物栝楼 Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. 和双边栝楼T.rosthornii Harms的成熟果实。全国大部分地区均产,主产于河北、河南、安徽、浙江、山东、江苏等地。秋季采收,将壳与种子分别干燥。生用,或以仁制霜用。