dong gua pi

Name: dong gua pi
Creator: Bencao Index

冬瓜皮·Exocarpium Benincasae

Chinese waxgourd peel

About dong gua pi

Dong Gua Pi (冬瓜皮) is the rind of the winter melon, recorded as Exocarpium Benincasae. It enters the Lung and Small Intestine channels, and the catalogue files it among the herbs that drain Dampness.

Names

Pinyin	dong gua pi
Chinese	冬瓜皮
Latin Name	Exocarpium Benincasae
English Name	Chinese waxgourd peel·Winter Melon Rind
Japanese	tokahi
Korean	donggwapi

Classification

Category: Drain Dampness
Channels: Lung, Small Intestine
Part used: Fruit
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Species: benincasa hispida
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Promotes urination, clears Heat and reduces edema

Edema from Damp-Heat
Abdominal distension with difficult urination

Clears Summerheat

Summerheat with thirst, irritability and dark, scanty urine

Cautions

caution Yin or Fluid deficiency, with dryness or scanty urine from depletion rather than blockage; draining herbs are used carefully here, or not at all
caution A cold, weak Spleen and Stomach; even a mild cool decoction taken in quantity can loosen the stools
caution Swelling of the face, abdomen or legs may point to disease of the heart, kidneys or liver and should be medically assessed; not for self-treatment
pregnancy Winter melon is an everyday food and tradition records no prohibition, yet in pregnancy herbal use should still be guided by a qualified practitioner
lactation Breastfeeding: no specific prohibition is recorded; use under a qualified practitioner

Interactions

Drug interactions

Prescription diuretics, or drugs dosed according to fluid and electrolyte status: its diuretic action makes an added effect plausible; a theoretical concern, not a reported interaction