Gua Lou - Trichosanthes Fruit
TCM Materia Medica
Gua Lou TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "gua lou" which in english is "trichosanthes fruit", is categorized within the "herbs that cool and transform phlegm heat" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the large intestine, lung and stomach channels and exhibits cold (han) and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 9-30g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Clears heat and transforms phlegm-heat - for heat-induced coughs with sputum that is thick and difficult to expectorate.
- Expands the chest and dissipates nodules - constriction, pain, lung abscesses, breast abscesses.
- The peel, Gua Lou Pi, clears and transforms phlegm heat - dissipates nodules, regulates qi - dry cough, throat, cough, difficult to expectorate sputum.
Gua Lou has some precautions to be considered (see our precautions list).
- Incompatible with Wu Tou.
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, gua lou is generally included in the following 1 formula:
ViewQing Qi Hua Tan Wan (Clear the Qi and Transform Phlegm Pill)
Cough with thick yellow or green phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and possible fullness of the chest due to damp heat accumulation in the lungs.
As noted above, gua lou is within the herbs that cool and transform phlegm heat functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... used for phlegm-heat and dry-phlegm patterns - coughs, scrofula, goiters (stagnant phlegm-fire in the channel), convulsions. )".
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