Broadens the chest and dissipates chest obstruction
Moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements
Disperses swellings and abscesses
Secondary Actions
Addresses breast abscess and lung abscess
Clears Phlegm-Heat from the upper burner
Classic Formulas
Gua Lou Xie Bai Bai Jiu Tang — foundational formula for chest bi syndrome and angina
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang — clears Phlegm-Heat binding in the chest with epigastric fullness
Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang — intensified formula for severe chest obstruction with Phlegm
Classical References
Ben Cao Gang Mu (Li Shizhen): 'Moistens Lung dryness, descends Fire, treats cough, scours away knotted Phlegm and disperses abscesses, swellings, sores, and toxins'
Modern Research
Active Compounds
Cucurbitacins
Flavonoids (isorhamnetin, kaempferol, apigenin)
Trichosanthes polysaccharides
Fatty acids (linolenic acid, oleic acid — primarily from seeds)
Sterols
Studied Effects
Multiple ribosome-inactivating proteins isolated from Trichosanthes kirilowii root and seeds; trichosanthin demonstrates anti-tumour activity (PMID 27225069)
Trichosanthin produced in crown gall tissue culture shows potential for choriocarcinoma treatment (PMID 16758196)
Trichosanthin exhibits multiple pharmacological properties including abortifacient and anti-tumour activity (PMID 8028444)