1. Aliases

Trichosanthes kirilowii, medicinal melons, belly melons, big belly melons, duck droppings melons.
2. Plant morphology
Perennial herbaceous vine. Leaves alternate, with thick and long stalks; Underarm tendrils; The leaf shape is variable, usually nearly heart-shaped, not lobed or palmately lobed to moderately lobed. Dioecious plants, with several male flowers growing at the apex of the peduncle, and single female flowers; Male flowers have three stamens, with anthers converging and separating when mature. Female flowers have inferior ovary. The bottle gourd is nearly spherical and orange yellow in color. Seed ovoid. The flowering period is from July to August, and the fruiting period is from September to October.
3. Origin distribution
Born on the edge of mountains, forests, and water. Distributed in Shandong, Hebei, Henan and other places.
4. Harvesting and processing
When the fruit ripens in autumn, cut off the stem and let it dry in a well ventilated area.
5. Characteristics of medicinal herbs
Gualou is spherical or wide elliptical in shape. The surface is orange yellow to orange red, wrinkled or relatively smooth, with a circular style residue at the top. Crisp in texture, easy to break open, with a yellow white inner surface and red yellow threads. The fruit flesh is orange yellow, sticky, and adheres to most seeds into clusters. Qi is like caramel; The taste is slightly sour and sweet.
6. Nature, taste, and meridian tropism
Cold in nature, sweet and slightly bitter in taste. Gui lung meridian, large intestine meridian, and stomach meridian.
7. Effect and function
Clear heat and phlegm, broaden chest and disperse nodules, moisturize dryness and smooth intestines. A clearing heat phlegm medicine belonging to the sub category of phlegm resolving, cough relieving, and asthma relieving drugs.
8. Clinical applications
Dosage 9-15 grams, decoct soup and take orally; Or into pills or powder; External use: In moderation, apply by tamping. Used to treat cough caused by lung heat, phlegm turbidity and yellow thickness, chest pain, chest distension, breast abscess, lung abscess, intestinal abscess swelling and pain, and constipation. It has the functions of anti hypoxia, anti myocardial ischemia, anti arrhythmia, and anti platelet aggregation.
9. Pharmacological research
Dilated coronary artery; Anti myocardial ischemia; Improve microcirculation; Inhibiting platelet aggregation; Hypoxia tolerance; Anti arrhythmias; Anti ulcer; Antibacterial; Anti cancer; anti-aging.
10. Chemical composition
The fruit contains serine protease, various amino acids, and volatile oil. Seeds contain various components such as triterpenoid saponins. It also contains ingredients such as alfalfa extract, trichosanthes kirilowii glycol, isotrichosanthes kirilowii glycol, vanillic acid, and ethyl linolenic acid.
11. Taboos for use
Spleen and stomach deficiency cold, loose stools, and those with cold phlegm or damp phlegm are not suitable. They should not be used together with Chuanwu, Zhi Chuanwu, Cao Wu, Zhi Cao Wu, and Fu Zi.
12. Related prescriptions
① To treat dry cough without phlegm: mash ripe Gualou into ground juice, add honey in equal parts, add 3g of alum, boil ointment, and frequently contain throat juice. (The Compendium cites "Simplified and Simple Formula")
② To treat thirst and frequent urination: thinly cut and stir fry Gualou, take 150 grams, add 5 liters of water, boil 4 liters, and drink freely. (Behind the Elbow)
③ Treatment for breast abscess: 30g of Trichosanthes kirilowii and 3g of frankincense. Above is fine powder, take 3 grams per serving, and mix with warm wine. ("Wei Ji Bao Shu" Gualou San)
④ Those who must not lie down to cure chest stuffiness and have heartache: one piece of fructus trichosanthis (rammed), 90g of scallions, 240g of pinellia ternata, and one liter of Baijiu. Boil four liters of medicine together, take one liter warm, and take it twice a day. ("Golden Chamber Synopsis" Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang)
The content of the article is for clinical reference only. Non professionals in traditional Chinese medicine are not allowed to try medication.