Snakegourd Peel
- Chinese
- 瓜蒌皮
- Pinyin
- Gua Lou Pi
- Latin
- Pericarpium Trichosanthis
Known in TCM as Gua Lou Pi (瓜蒌皮), this sweet, cold herb enters the Lung and Stomach. Traditionally, it clears heat and transforms phlegm ... Gua Lou Pi is used for cough with thick sputum, chest congestion, and phlegm-heat obstructing the Lung, most often applied for productive cough, chest pain, and breast abscess. Modern research has identified Paeonol among its active constituents.
Part used: Peel
Also Known As
Latin: Pericarpium Trichosanthis | Pinyin: Gua Lou Pi | Chinese: 瓜蒌皮
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet
- Temperature
- cold
- Channels
- Lung, Stomach
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Clears heat and transforms phlegm ... Gua Lou Pi is used for cough with thick sputum, chest congestion, and phlegm-heat obstructing the Lung.
- Broadens the chest and relieves fullness ... it is especially useful when phlegm binds the chest and causes oppression, discomfort, or painful obstruction.
- Reduces swelling and helps early abscess-stage heat toxin ... classical use extends to breast swelling, breast abscess, and related phlegm-heat nodular patterns.
Secondary Actions
- This peel-forward record should stay distinct from the broader `bitter-snake-gourd` fruit page and from the oilier `snakegourd-seed` sibling ... the peel is less laxative and more chest-focused.
- Traditional formula logic often uses the peel when chest or Lung obstruction is emphasized more than bowel moistening.
Classic Formulas
- Gua Lou Xie Bai Ban Xia Tang ... chest obstruction with phlegm binding and fullness in the chest.
- Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan ... phlegm-heat cough with thick difficult sputum.
- Xiao Xian Xiong Tang ... phlegm-heat clumping in the chest and epigastrium.
Classical References
- Later materia medica descriptions place Gua Lou Pi on the chest-opening and phlegm-transforming lane of the Gua Lou family.
- Traditional distinctions between peel, seed, and whole fruit emphasize that the peel is narrower, lighter, and more directed to Lung and chest constraint.
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Paeonol
- Diosmetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- 5-hydroxymethylfurfural
- Rutin and related flavonoids
Studied Effects
- Constituent-isolation work from Trichosanthes kirilowii peel identified multiple phenolic and flavonoid compounds with NF-kappaB inhibitory activity, giving a modern anti-inflammatory bridge for the peel-focused medicinal lane (PMID 32744101).
- Recent network-pharmacology and experimental work on Gualoupi highlighted anti-thrombotic activity and linked it to inflammatory and coagulation pathways in coronary-heart-disease-oriented research models (PMID 38614263).
- A 2024 zebrafish thrombosis study reported that a combination of paeonol, diosmetin-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from Trichosanthis pericarpium reduced arachidonic-acid-induced thrombosis markers (PMID 38487165).
PubMed References
- Chemical constituent from the peel of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim and their NF-κB inhibitory activity. (2021)
- Network pharmacology analysis and experimental verification of the antithrombotic active compounds of trichosanthis pericarpium (Gualoupi) in treating coronary heart disease. (2024)
- The combination of paeonol, diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from Trichosanthis pericarpium alleviates arachidonic acid-induced thrombosis in a zebrafish model. (2024)
Safety & Interactions
Contraindications
- Spleen-Stomach deficiency with loose stool or diarrhea
- Cold-phlegm or damp-phlegm patterns without heat
Cautions
- The Gua Lou family is cold and somewhat slippery, so it can aggravate diarrhea or weak digestion when heat and dryness are absent.
- Classical incompatibility discussions warn against combining the broader Gua Lou family with Wu Tou preparations.
Conditions
- Productive Cough Traditional ★★★★☆ JSON
- Chest Pain Traditional ★★★☆☆ JSON
- Breast Abscess Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
- Bronchitis Traditional ★★☆☆☆ JSON
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Snakegourd Peel used for?
Snakegourd Peel is traditionally used to Clears heat and transforms phlegm ... Gua Lou Pi is used for cough with thick sputum, chest congestion, and phlegm-heat obstructing the Lung., Broadens the chest and relieves fullness ... it is especially useful when phlegm binds the chest and causes oppression, discomfort, or painful obstruction., Reduces swelling and helps early abscess-stage heat toxin ... classical use extends to breast swelling, breast abscess, and related phlegm-heat nodular patterns.. Research has investigated its effects on: Constituent-isolation work from Trichosanthes kirilowii peel identified multiple phenolic and flavonoid compounds with NF-kappaB inhibitory activity, giving a modern anti-inflammatory bridge for the peel-focused medicinal lane (PMID 32744101).; Recent network-pharmacology and experimental work on Gualoupi highlighted anti-thrombotic activity and linked it to inflammatory and coagulation pathways in coronary-heart-disease-oriented research models (PMID 38614263)..
What are other names for Snakegourd Peel?
Snakegourd Peel is also known as Trichosanthis Pericarpium, Gua Lou Peel, Trichosanthis. In TCM: 瓜蒌皮 (Gua Lou Pi); Pericarpium Trichosanthis.
Is Snakegourd Peel safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Snakegourd Peel during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.
What are the contraindications for Snakegourd Peel?
Snakegourd Peel should not be used in: Spleen-Stomach deficiency with loose stool or diarrhea; Cold-phlegm or damp-phlegm patterns without heat. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.