Luffa Sponge – 1 lb (454 g)

Luffa Sponge, known in Chinese as 丝瓜络 (Sīguāluò) and scientifically as Retinervus Luffae Fructus, 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 Luffa Sponge carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Luffa Sponge 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, Luffa Sponge provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Luffa Sponge 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 Luffa Sponge, 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 Silk Gourd Tendon, Silk Gourd Net, Silk Gourd Husk, and Melon Retinaculum. It is the vascular bundle of the mature fruit of the Cucurbitaceae plant Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem. It is widely cultivated throughout the country. The fruit is harvested in summer and autumn when mature, the peel turns yellow, and the interior is dry. The outer skin and pulp are removed, then it is washed, dried in the sun, and seeds are removed.

[Properties] Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Liver meridians.

[Actions] Dispels wind and unblocks the collaterals, activates blood circulation, and reduces swelling.

[Applications]
1. Used for wind-damp bi syndrome, soreness and pain in tendons, bones, and muscles; often combined with Mulberry Twig (Sang Zhi), Stephania (Fang Ji), Achyranthes (Niu Xi), and others.
2. Used for traumatic injuries with swelling and pain; commonly combined with Peach Kernel (Tao Ren), Safflower (Hong Hua), Frankincense (Ru Xiang), Myrrh (Mo Yao), etc. If the injury is in the chest or hypochondrium with migrating pain or aggravated cough, additional herbs such as Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Aurantii Fructus (Zhi Qiao), and Tangerine Peel (Ju Luo) are added.
3. Used for insufficient lactation and early-stage breast abscess. For postpartum milk deficiency or milk stasis, it can be combined with Vaccaria (Wang Bu Liu Xing), Clematis (Lu Lu Tong), Pangolin Scale (Chuan Shan Jia), etc.; for breast abscess, combined with Dandelion (Pu Gong Ying), Honeysuckle (Jin Yin Hua), Forsythia (Lian Qiao), and Burdock Seed (Niu Bang Zi). Additionally, for summer external contraction of damp-heat causing limb fatigue and scanty, dark urine, it is often combined with Winter Melon Peel (Dong Gua Pi) and Coix Seed (Sheng Yi Ren) decoction.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 4.5–9 g; or calcined and ground into powder, 1.5–3 g per dose. External use: appropriate amount, calcined and ground into powder, applied topically.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Retinervus Luffae Fructus contains oleanolic acid, glucosides including triglucoside, xylan, cellulose, and others.
2. Pharmacological effects: The aqueous decoction of Retinervus Luffae Fructus has significant analgesic effects; it also shows a marked synergistic effect with sub-hypnotic doses of pentobarbital sodium.
3. Clinical reports:
1) Ophthalmic herpes zoster: applied as a paste of Retinervus Luffae Fructus on the affected area. In a total of 62 cases treated, 58 were cured. [Ophthalmology Advances, 1991, (1):35]
2) Thyroid adenoma: decoction of Retinervus Luffae Fructus 30 g, Prunella vulgaris (Xia Ku Cao) 30 g, and Licorice 10 g. In 30 cases treated, 21 were cured and 6 improved. [Hunan Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1986, (1):13]
3) Chronic frontal sinusitis: 24 g of Retinervus Luffae Fructus (charred and calcined), ground into an extremely fine powder, placed in a paper tube and insufflated into the nose 2–8 times daily for one week per course. In 64 cases treated, 49 were cured, 11 improved, and 4 were ineffective. [Hubei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1991, 13(4):3]