Trichosanthis Pericarpium
Aliases：Kuò Lóu Pí, Kuò Lóu Qiào, Guā Qiào.
Guā Lóu Pí is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried mature pericarp (fruit rind) of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, plants belonging to the genus Trichosanthes of the family Cucurbitaceae. The product is usually cut into 2 to several sections with edges curling inward, measuring 6–12 cm in length. The outer surface is orange-red or orange-yellow, wrinkled, sometimes with residual fruit stalks; the inner surface is yellowish-white. It is relatively brittle and breaks easily. Guā Lóu Pí, Guā Lóu Zǐ (seeds), and Quán Guā Lóu (whole fruit) originate from the same plant source but have different clinical applications: Guā Lóu Pí is particularly effective at clearing heat, resolving phlegm, regulating Qi, relieving chest tightness, dispersing lumps, and reducing swelling; Guā Lóu Zǐ is better at moistening dryness, resolving phlegm, and lubricating the intestines; Quán Guā Lóu combines the actions of both. Guā Lóu Pí was first recorded in Mingyi Bielu (Records of Famous Physicians).
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and resolves phlegm; regulates Qi and relieves chest tightness.
Indications
Indicated for phlegm-heat cough, chest tightness, and hypochondriac pain. It may also be used for cough with yellow phlegm and chest fullness due to phlegm-heat obstructing the Lung, as well as chest pain due to phlegm-Qi stagnation.
Modern Pharmacology
Expectorant and antitussive effects: Guā Lóu Pí exhibits good expectorant and antitussive effects, which form the pharmacological basis for its use in phlegm-heat cough. Cardiovascular protective effects: Guā Lóu Pí promotes coronary blood flow, dilates coronary arteries, increases coronary blood flow, protects ischemic myocardium, and enhances tolerance to hypoxia. Guā Lóu Pí Injection can regulate vascular tone, dilate blood vessels, and increase blood flow through AKT1-mediated phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In patients with hyperhomocysteinemic carotid atherosclerosis, Guā Lóu Pí Injection can reduce blood lipid levels and slow disease progression. Anti-inflammatory effects: Guā Lóu Pí exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity, capable of inhibiting inflammatory responses and alleviating inflammatory symptoms. This is primarily related to the regulation of inflammatory mediator release by its components. Anti-inflammatory activity-guided studies have revealed that the anti-inflammatory effects of Guā Lóu Pí are associated with its multiple chemical constituents. Antibacterial effects: Exhibits certain inhibitory effects against various bacteria. Antitumor effects: Modern studies have shown that Guā Lóu Pí possesses antitumor activity. In addition, Guā Lóu Pí also exhibits blood pressure-lowering, anti-arrhythmic, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet aggregation, and thrombus-reducing effects.
Ingredients
Volatile oils: Acidic components include nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and stearic acid. Non-volatile components: Fatty alcohol mixtures, saturated fatty acid mixtures, sterols, glucosides, amino acids, and trace elements. Triterpenoid saponins, organic acids and their salts. Resins, sugars, and pigments. Alkaloid-like substances. Active components in Guā Lóu Pí Injection include apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, luteolin, and vanillic acid.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–10 g. Some sources also document 9–12 g. May also be made into powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, burn to preserve its properties, grind into powder, and mix with a suitable base for topical application.
Contraindications
Should not be used with Aconitum species (Chuan Wu, Cao Wu, Fu Zi)—this is known as "antagonism to Aconitum". Use with caution or avoid in cases of Spleen deficiency with loose stools—as Guā Lóu Pí is cold in nature and may impair the Spleen and Stomach. Not suitable for those with cold-phlegm or damp-phlegm patterns. Not suitable for those without damp-heat or with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold.
Selected Formulas
For phlegm-heat cough with chest tightness (empirical formula) Take 15g of Gualoupi (Trichosanthes peel), 9g of Chenpi (tangerine peel), and 9g of Pipaye (loquat leaf, hairs removed). Decoct in water and drink, with rock sugar as a guide. For lung abscess (empirical formula) Take 15g each of Gualoupi and Dongguazi (wax gourd seed), and 30g each of Yimi (Coix seed) and Yuxingcao (Houttuynia). Decoct in water and drink. For chest pain and hypochondriac pain (empirical formula) Take 12g of Gualoupi (with 15g of Xiebai for chest pain, or 9g of Siluoguo (loofah sponge) and 4.5g of Zhike (bitter orange) for hypochondriac pain). Decoct in water and drink. For lung-heat cough, wheezing, fever, and restlessness (empirical formula) Take Gualoupi with Niubangzi (Arctium fruit), Chuanbeimu (Fritillaria), and Madouling (Aristolochia). If phlegm is abundant with lung qi failing to descend, wheezing, and constipation, combine with Xingren (apricot seed) and Dahuang (rhubarb) – as in Xuanbai Chengqi Tang. For phlegm-heat accumulation with chest and hypochondriac pain (empirical formula) Take Gualoupi alone, or with Xiebai and Banxia (Pinellia). Decoct in water and drink. For acute glomerulonephritis with edema in children (damp-heat pattern) (empirical formula) Take 6–9g of Gualoupi, together with 6–9g each of Chenpi, Shengjiangpi (ginger peel), Dafupi (areca peel), and Sangbaipi (mulberry root bark). Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Decoction: Wash and cut Guā Lóu Pí into small pieces, decoct in water for 15–20 minutes, strain, and drink the liquid. Tea: Cut Guā Lóu Pí into small pieces, steep in boiling water for 5–10 minutes, and drink as a tea. Congee: Cook Guā Lóu Pí with rice to make congee.
Medicinal Parts
Dried mature pericarp (fruit rind).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a cool, dry place. Protect from mold and insects. Honey-fried Guā Lóu Pí should be stored in sealed containers.
