Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Trichosanthis, commonly known as Trichosanthes or Gua Lou (瓜蒌), has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating respiratory conditions, particularly coughs associated with "dampness" and phlegm accumulation. In the context of TCM, "damp cough" refers to coughs characterized by abundant, sticky sputum and a sensation of chest congestion, which are thought to be due to the retention of pathogenic dampness and phlegm in the lungs.

The fruits, seeds, and roots of Trichosanthes species (notably Trichosanthes kirilowii and Trichosanthes rosthornii) are included in classic herbal formulas intended to clear heat, transform phlegm, and moisten dryness. Texts such as the Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica) and subsequent materia medica frequently cite Trichosanthis for these uses. The fruit (Gua Lou Shi), peel (Gua Lou Pi), and seed (Gua Lou Ren) are believed to help "open the chest" and ease expectoration.

While some modern pharmacological studies suggest that extracts from Trichosanthes may have expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antitussive effects in animal models, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. Therefore, the primary justification for its use in treating damp cough remains traditional, with limited scientific validation.

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