Trichosanthis Radix
Aliases：Guā Lóu Gēn (Trichosanthes Root); Guā Lóu Gēn (Trichosanthes Root); Lóu Gēn (Lou Root); Chuān Huā Fěn (Sichuan Flower Powder); Lǒu Fěn (Lou Powder); Bái Yào (White Medicinal); Ruì Xuě (Auspicious Snow); Tiān Guā Fěn (Heavenly Melon Powder); Shǐ Guā Gēn (Manure Melon Root); Huā Fěn (Flower Powder).
Tiān Huā Fěn (Trichosanthis Root) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, plants of the Cucurbitaceae family. The root grows horizontally, is fleshy and thick, and rich in starch, hence the name “Huā Fěn” (flower powder).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and purges fire; promotes fluid production and quenches thirst; reduces swelling and expels pus.
Indications
Used for febrile diseases with restlessness and thirst, lung-heat dry cough, internal heat with wasting-thirst disorder (diabetes), and sores with toxic swellings. It is also used for dry mouth, thirst, high fever, and diabetes (wasting-thirst disorder), among other conditions.
Modern Pharmacology
Hypoglycemic effect: Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Root) is commonly used to treat wasting-thirst disorder (diabetes). Its active components have significant blood sugar-lowering activity. Antitumor effect: Trichosanthin, a protein found in Tianhuafen, has antitumor activity. Antiviral effect: Trichosanthin has antiviral activity. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects: Tianhuafen exhibits anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. Antibacterial effect: Tianhuafen has antibacterial effects. Abortifacient effect: Trichosanthin has the pharmacological activity of inducing mid-term abortion (termination of pregnancy).
Ingredients
Proteins: Trichosanthin, a specific component of Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Root), possesses various pharmacological activities including antiviral, antitumor, and mid-term abortion induction. Polysaccharides: Trichosanthes polysaccharides. Saponins: Total saponins. Flavonoids: Total flavonoids. Amino Acids: Contains various amino acids. Other Components: Starch (approximately 25.2%), and plant lectins, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, 10–15g. May also be prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed with water or vinegar for external application.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold and chronic diarrhea with loose stools. Use with caution or contraindicated during pregnancy (trichosanthin has abortifacient effects). Should not be used together with Aconite herbs (including Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, and Fu Zi).
Selected Formulas
For consumptive cough with fever (Binhu Jijian Fang) Take 1 liang of Tianhuafen (Trichosanthes root) and 3 qian of Renshen (Ginseng). Grind into powder. Take 1 qian each time with rice water. For wasting thirst disorder (Xiaoke) (Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang) Take 5 liang each of Gualougen (Trichosanthes root) and Shengjiang (Ginger), 2 sheng each of raw Maimendong (Ophiopogon juice) and Lugen (Reed rhizome, sliced), and 3 sheng of Maogen (Imperata rhizome, sliced). Finely cut all five ingredients, add 1 dou of water, decoct to 3 sheng, and take in three divided doses. For thirst in lily disease (Yonglei Qianfang) Take equal parts of Gualougen and Muli (Oyster shell, calcined). Grind into powder. Take 1 square-cun spoonful with water. For unruptured carbuncles (Zhenglei Bencao) Take equal parts of Gualougen and Chixiaodou (Adzuki bean). Grind into powder, mix with vinegar, and apply topically. For severe black jaundice (Jianbian Danfang) Take 1 jin of Gualougen, crush and extract 6 he of juice. Take in one dose. Yellow fluid should pass with urine; if not, take another dose.
Daily Consumption
Tianhuafen Congee: Take 30g of Tianhuafen (Trichosanthis Root) and 100g of polished rice. First, decoct the Tianhuafen, strain to obtain the liquid, and then cook the rice in the liquid to make a congee. Consume twice daily as a side dish with meals. It helps clear heat, promote fluid production, and relieve restlessness and thirst. Tianhuafen Tea: Take 10g of Tianhuafen, steep in boiling water, and drink as a tea. It can be used for thirst due to fluid depletion from febrile diseases.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from insects and mold.
