Trichosanthes Radix, Tian Hua Fen 天花粉

Tian Hua Fen (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:
Root

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, slightly moist. Bitter, slightly Sweet.

Classifications:
B. Clear Strong Heat or Fire

Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Generates Fluids:
-used when Heat (during Fever) injures the fluids with dry mouth, thirst, irritability
-'Wasting and Thirsting Disorder' (overlaps Diabetes)

2. Clears Phlegm-Heat, Moistens Lungs:
-Phlegm-Heat Cough with thick, hard-to-clear Phlegm, or Blood-streaked Phlegm

3. Clears Heat and Toxin, Drains Pus:
-Abscess, especially Breast Abscess (both topically and internally)

DOSE:
10–15 grams

Main Combinations:
1. Wasting and Thirsting, Trichosanthes Radix Tian Hua Fen with Anemarrhena Zhi Mu, Glehnia Sha Shen, Ophiopogon  Mai Men Dong (as in Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang)
2. Phlegm-Heat Cough:
i. Trichosanthes Radix Tian Hua Fen with Fritillaria Bei Mu, Platycodon Jie Geng
ii. Trichosanthes Radix Tian Hua Fen with Pinellia Ban Xia, Scutellaria Huang Qin
3. Abscesses:
i. Trichosanthes Radix Tian Hua Fen with Lonicera Jin Yin Hua, Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying)
ii. Breast Abscess, Trichosanthes Radix Tian Hua Fen with Frankincense (Ru Xiang)

Cautions:
1. Use cautiously in those with weak digestion.

DRUG INTERACTIONS:
1. Incompatible with the Aconites

Main Preparations used: