Luffae Fructus Retinervus
Aliases：Sī Guā Wǎng (Loofah Net); Sī Guā Qiào (Loofah Shell); Sī Guā Jīn (Loofah Tendon); Guā Luò (Melon Sponge); Tiān Luó Jīn (Heavenly Loofah Tendon); Qiān Céng Lóu (Thousand-Storied Tower); Sī Guā Bù (Loofah Cloth); Sī Guā Ráng (Loofah Pulp); Shuǐ Guā Luò (Water Melon Sponge); Tiān Luó Wǎng (Heavenly Loofah Net); Tiān Sī Guā (Heavenly Loofah); Tiān Luó Jīn (Heavenly Loofah Tendon); Mián Guā Luò (Cotton Melon Sponge); Xù Guā Ráng (Flocculent Melon Pulp); Shā Luò (Gauze Sponge); Yú Zī (Fish Egg).
Sī Guā Luò (Loofah / Vegetable Sponge) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the vascular bundle of the dried mature fruit of Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem., a plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. The fruit is harvested in summer and autumn when the peel turns yellow and the interior dries out. The outer skin and pulp are removed, the fruit is cleaned, dried in the sun, and the seeds are discarded. Loofah has a reticulate, fibrous structure and is tough in texture. It is named for its ability to unblock meridians and promote the flow of Qi and blood. It was first recorded in the “Compendium of Materia Medica” (Bencao Gangmu) and is a commonly used herb for unblocking meridians.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and unblocks meridians, invigorates blood and promotes lactation, detoxifies and reduces swelling, cools blood and stops bleeding.
Indications
风湿痹痛，筋脉拘挛，胸胁胀痛，乳汁不通，乳痈肿痛，跌打损伤，痈疽疮毒，便血，崩漏。
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effect: Extracts of Luffa cylindrica (Sigualuo) significantly inhibit acute inflammation, such as xylene-induced ear edema in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. Analgesic effect: In hot plate test and acetic acid writhing test, Luffa shows significant analgesic activity. Hepatoprotective effect: Luffa protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury and reduces serum transaminase levels. Antitumor effect: Luffa polysaccharides inhibit certain tumor cells (e.g., S180 sarcoma). Immunomodulatory effect: Luffa polysaccharides enhance the phagocytic function of macrophages and promote lymphocyte proliferation. Antithrombotic effect: Luffa has anticoagulant and antithrombotic effects. Antibacterial effect: Extracts of Luffa inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc. Hypoglycemic effect: Luffa polysaccharides have the potential to lower blood glucose.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: Apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin, and their glycosides. Triterpenes and Saponins: Luffosides A, B, C, D, among others. Polysaccharides: Loofah polysaccharides (heteropolysaccharides with immunomodulatory activity). Sterols: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol. Organic Acids: Oleanolic acid, hederagenin, palmitic acid, stearic acid, etc. Other Compounds: Lignans, amino acids, and trace elements (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc.).
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 5–15 g; or prepared as a powder; or calcined (charred while preserving the property) and ground into powder. Topical Administration: Appropriate amount, calcined and ground into powder for mixing and application; or decocted in water for fumigation and washing; or mashed fresh herb for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy (as it invigorates blood and unblocks meridians, which may affect the stability of pregnancy). Use with caution in women with excessive menstruation. Not suitable for use alone in patients without stasis (e.g., arthralgia due to Qi and blood deficiency). Not suitable for long-term use in large amounts by patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold.
Selected Formulas
For Chest and Rib-side Distention and Pain (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica) Take 15 g of loofah (Sī Guā Luò), 9 g of tangerine pith (Jú Luò), and 9 g of bitter orange (Zhǐ Qiào). Decoct in water and take orally. For Rheumatic Joint Pain and Muscular Spasm (from Shandong Handbook of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30 g of loofah, 15 g of Clematis root (Wēi Líng Xiān), and 9 g of Notopterygium root (Qiāng Huó). Decoct in water and take orally. For Blocked Lactation and Early-Stage Acute Mastitis (from Hunan Chinese Materia Medica) Take 15 g of loofah, 15 g of cowherb seed (Wáng Bù Liú Xíng), and 9 g of pangolin scales (Chuān Shān Jiǎ; nowadays often replaced with rice paddy herb Tōng Cǎo and pathamugga Lù Lù Tōng). Decoct in water and take orally. Additionally, burn loofah to charcoal and take it with sweet wine. For Bloody Stool and Hemorrhoidal Bleeding (from Fujian Folk Herbal Medicine) Burn loofah to charcoal (preserving the property), grind into powder, and take 3 g each time with rice water. For Traumatic Swelling and Pain (from Guangxi Herbal Medicine Selection) Take an appropriate amount of fresh loofah, mash thoroughly, and apply externally to the affected area.
Daily Consumption
For Postpartum Blocked Lactation (Loofah Lactation-Promoting Soup) Take 15 g of loofah (Sī Guā Luò), 9 g of rice paddy herb (Tōng Cǎo), and 1 pig‘s trotter. Clean the trotter and chop it into pieces. Stew the trotter together with loofah and rice paddy herb until thoroughly cooked and tender. Remove the herb residue, then drink the soup and eat the meat. For Dysmenorrhea or Chest and Rib-side Discomfort Due to Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (Loofah Blood-Activating Tea) Take 10 g of loofah (burned to charcoal while preserving the property) and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Brew with boiling water, cover and steep for 10 minutes, and drink as a tea. For Joint Pain or Eczema (Loofah Decoction for External Wash) Take 30 g of dried loofah, decoct in water, and collect the liquid. While warm, fumigate and wash the affected area once or twice daily.
Medicinal Parts
Vascular bundles (reticulated fibers) of the dried mature fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place, protected from mold and insects.