Its source is from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., family Cucurbitaceae, the medicinal material is produced in all parts of China and collected in autumn and winter, the fresh one is used or cut into pieces, dried in the sun for medication. Medicinal Properties Sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the lung and stomach meridians. Actions Clear away heat and promote the production of body fluids, resolve swelling and drain pus. Application 1. It is used for febrile disease with thirst, diabetes and frequent drinking, since it is sweet, cold but moistening in properties, and can clear away heat and promote production of the body fluids. For febrile disease with thirst or diabetes due to consumption of the body fluids, it is often combined with Lugen ( Rhizoma Phragmitis ), Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis), etc.. For diabetes with frequent drinking due to deficiency and interior heat, combined with Gegen (Radix Puerariae ) and Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae), such as Yuye Tang (Decoction). 2. It can clear away lung-heat and moisturize the lung, so it is used for dry cough due to lung-heat. For damage to the lung due to dry-heat with dry cough and scanty sputum, it is often combined with Tianmendong (Radix Asparagi ), Maimendong ( Radix Ophiopogonis), and Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae), etc. to clear away heat, moisten the lung to stop cough. 3. It can be used for pyocutaneous disease of heat type whether the infection is ulcerous or not. It can relieve carbuncle for the nonulcerous and can drain pus and promote the production of muscles for the ulcerous, often combined with Jinyinhua ( Flos Lonicerae), Baizhi (Radix Angeticae Dahuricae ), etc., such as Xianfang Huoming Yin (Decoction). Usage and Dosage 10 -15 g is used in decoction for oral use. Notes Contraindicated in pregnant women and it is incompatible with Wutou (Radix Aconiti).
