Trichosanthes rind - 瓜蒌皮 (Gua Lou Pi)
Snake Gourd Peel
瓜蒌皮
Gua Lou Pi·Écorce de Trichosanthes
Trichosanthis Pericarpium
- Traced and verified origin
- Dispatched within 24/48h, packed to order
- Kept away from light and moisture
According to the classical texts
清肺化痰 宽胸理气
Pinyin
Qing Fei Hua Tan · Kuan Xiong Li Qi
Overview
The rind of the fruit of Trichosanthes kirilowii, a pharmacopoeia gourd grown in northern China.
When the fruit is ripe (in autumn, in its fine bright orange), the rind is separated from the inner pulp and the seeds, then dried.
It comes as flattened petals of a brownish orange, of a papery texture.
The pharmacopoeia names three parts of the fruit: Pi (the rind), Ren (the seeds), and Gua Lou whole — each part being read with its own nuance.
Traditional uses
The reference herb for clearing heat in the Phase and transforming thick, hot Phlegm.
Traditionally used for constitutions where heat condenses the fluids into thick Phlegm that clogs the breath, or to free the chest in the light oppression the tradition ties to Phlegm-heat.
Preparation and traditional-use quantity
- Decoction: 6 to 12 g, simmer for 25 minutes
- Pi / Ren / whole distinction: Pi (the bark, here): Phlegm + the chest region; Ren (the seeds): the stools, and moistens; whole: the two turns combined
- Classic incompatibility: not to be paired with Wu Tou or Fu Zi (the “18 incompatibilities”)
Precautions
To be avoided in cases of deficient Yang with deep cold or of loose stools from deficient Yang.
Classical incompatibility with Wu Tou and Fu Zi, to be respected strictly.
