si gua luo

丝瓜络·Fructus Luffae Retinervus

Loofah

About si gua luo

Si Gua Luo (丝瓜络) is the fibrous skeleton of the loofah gourd, recorded as Fructus Retinervus Luffae. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Lung, Stomach and Liver channels. The catalogue files it among the herbs that clear Heat and relieve toxicity.

Names

Pinyinsi gua luo
Chinese丝瓜络
Latin NameFructus Luffae Retinervus·Fructus Retinervus Luffae
English NameLoofah·luffa vegetable sponge
Japaneseshikaraku
Koreansagwarak

Classification

Category
Clear Heat, Relieve Toxicity
Channels
Lung, Stomach, Liver
Flavour
Sweet
Temperature
Neutral
Family
Cucurbitaceae
Species
Luffa Cylindrica
Tags
Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling

  • Toxic swellings, sores and abscesses
  • Breast abscess (mastitis)

Unblocks the channels and collaterals and dispels Wind

  • Wind-Damp Bi with aching muscles and sinews and stiff, rigid joints, particularly when Phlegm is involved
  • Wandering, Wind-type pain of the joints and sinews
  • Chest and flank soreness or pain from Qi and Blood stagnation, including after injury
  • Traumatic injury

Unblocks the collaterals of the breast

  • Distended, tender breasts or breast lumps
  • Scanty or blocked milk flow

Expels Phlegm and clears Phlegm-Heat

  • Lung Heat cough in adults or children, with high fever, chest pain and thick, sticky yellow sputum that will not come up easily

Stops bleeding (charred form)

  • Blood in the stool and uterine bleeding, using the charred herb

Combinations

Dosage

AgeRawGranuleTinctureConcentrateFrequency
Any 6-15g; Tincture: 2-4ml6-15 g—2-4 ml——

Cautions