Trichosanthes Seed – 1 lb (454 g)

Trichosanthes Seed, known in Chinese as 瓜蒌子 (Guālóuzǐ) and scientifically as Semen Trichosanthis, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Trichosanthes Seed carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Trichosanthes Seed helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Trichosanthes Seed provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Trichosanthes Seed has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Trichosanthes Seed, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Gualou Ren or Gua Mi. It is the mature seed of plants in the Cucurbitaceae family: Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms. The former is mainly produced in Shandong, Anhui, and Hunan provinces; the latter, which is mainly used for relieving asthma, is mainly produced in Sichuan and other regions. The mature fruit is harvested in autumn, split longitudinally to extract the seeds, which are then washed and sun-dried.

[Properties] Sweet in taste, cold in nature. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine meridians.

[Actions] Moistens the lungs and transforms phlegm; lubricates the intestines and promotes bowel movements.

[Applications]
1. Used for hot phlegm and dry phlegm. Treats internal accumulation of hot phlegm with cough, wheezing, and thick yellow sticky sputum. Commonly combined with Huangqin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Xingren (Prunus armeniaca seed), Banxia (Pinellia ternata); or with Huanglian (Coptis chinensis), Xingren, and Zhuli (bamboo sap). For lung abscess with coughing of pus and blood, often combined with Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorus), Beimu (Fritillaria), and Yiyiren (Coix lacryma-jobi). For lung dryness with dry cough, combined with Beishashen (Glehnia littoralis) and Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus).
2. Used for intestinal dryness and constipation; can be used alone or combined with Huomaren (Cannabis seed) and Yuliren (Prunus japonica seed).
3. Used for carbuncles and ulcers; must be combined with Ruxiang (Boswellia) and Moyao (Commiphora myrrha), as in the formula Shenxian Lingbao Gao.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decocted in water, 9–15 g; or used in pills or powders. External use: appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied as a paste. For those with weak stomachs, it is advisable to remove the oil and use only the frost.

[Cautions] Contraindicated in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency cold with diarrhea. Antagonistic to Aconitum (Fuzi).

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents include trichosanthic acid, campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, triterpenes and their glycosides.
2. Pharmacological effects: the fatty oil in Trichosanthis seed has a strong laxative effect; trichosanthic acid has antithrombotic activity; in vitro anticancer effects have been observed; both the seed and kernel have coronary artery dilating effects on isolated guinea pig hearts.
3. Clinical report: For breast engorgement during initial lactation, 10 g of Trichosanthis seed and 30 g of brown sugar were used. The seed was crushed and soaked in 500 ml of clean water for 20 minutes in a clay pot; brown sugar was added while hot, and the mixture was taken warm once, followed by covering to induce mild sweating. A total of 18 cases were treated, all cured after one dose. [Shandong Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1994, 13(10):466]