Trichosanthes Pericarpium, Gua Lou Pi 瓜娄皮

Gua Lou Pi (TCM)

Trichosanthes kirilowii flower (left), fruit (right)
(Photos by 杉山龍彦) (Left: Wikimedia; Right: Wikimedia)

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:
6–12 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Phlegm-Heat Cough, with Platycodon Jie Geng, Almond kernel (Xing Ren)
2. Early stages of Breast Abscess, with Frankincense

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.

Main Preparations used: