gua lou ren

瓜蒌仁·Semen Trichosanthis

snakegourd seed

About gua lou ren

Gua Lou Ren (瓜蓌仁) is the seed of the snakegourd, recorded as Semen Trichosanthis. It is sweet in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Lung, Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat.

Names

Pinyingua lou ren
Chinese瓜蒌仁
Latin NameSemen Trichosanthis
English Namesnakegourd seed·Trichosanthes Seed·trichosanthes seed; snakegourd seed
Japanesekaronin
Koreangwaruin

Classification

Channels
Lung, Large Intestine, Stomach
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Cold
Part used
Seed
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Species
Trichosanthes Kirilowii|Trichosanthes rosthornii
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm-Heat, and cools and moistens the Lungs

  • Phlegm-Heat cough, particularly with thick, sticky sputum that is hard to expectorate, sometimes with chest pain

Expands the chest

  • Phlegm collecting in the chest, felt as stifling, oppressive fullness, pain, or pressure at the diaphragm

Moistens the Intestines and moves the bowels

  • Dry stools and constipation with Heat in the Lungs, Stomach or Large Intestine, often with a dry mouth, thirst and irritability

Promotes healing of sores, dissipates nodules and expels pus

  • Breast or intestinal abscesses, carbuncles, and swollen sores that have not yet formed pus, as a supporting herb

Promotes urination

  • Edema

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 2-18g; Tincture: 2-5ml2-18 g2-5 ml

Cautions

Interactions

Antagonistic with

Drug interactions