Nan Gua Zi (南瓜子) is the seed and husk of the pumpkin, recorded as Semen Cucurbitae Moschatae. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Stomach and Large Intestine channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that kill parasites.

Pinyin

nan gua zi

Chinese

南瓜子

Latin Name

Semen Cucurbitae·Semen Cucurbitae Moschatae

English Name

pumpkin seed and husk·Pumpkin Seeds And Husks

Japanese

nankashi

Korean

namgwaja

Actions and indications

Expels parasites and relieves pain

Tapeworm, roundworm, threadworm and blood flukes (schistosomiasis); may be used alone
Tapeworm, together with Bing Lang: this seed paralyses the middle and rear segments while Bing Lang acts on the head, so the whole worm can pass intact
Parasites in children, the elderly and weak patients who cannot tolerate harsher anthelmintics
Acute schistosomiasis (a historical use, not current standard therapy)

Supports fluid metabolism after childbirth

Insufficient breast milk
Swollen hands and feet after giving birth

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 30-60g; Tapeworm: 60-120g; Schistosomiasis: 120-200g

30-60 g

—

Cautions

caution Eaten to excess it obstructs Qi and blocks the diaphragm

caution The big one-off doses used against tapeworm are medicine rather than food and are traditionally given under supervision

caution Only raw seed is used against worms; roasted, salted or flavoured snack seeds are not the medicinal form

caution In a field trial of the combined protocol with areca nut, close to half of patients had mild nausea and dizziness that passed without treatment

caution On its own it expels the whole tapeworm less reliably than the full sequence with Bing Lang and a purgative

caution Known allergy to pumpkin or the gourd family

nan gua zi

About nan gua zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Expels parasites and relieves pain

Supports fluid metabolism after childbirth

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

About nan gua zi

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Expels parasites and relieves pain

Supports fluid metabolism after childbirth

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Related

Used in 1 formula