Trichosanthis, particularly the species Trichosanthes kirilowii and Trichosanthes cucumerina, is referenced in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for various uses, including the treatment of conditions related to the liver and gallbladder. In TCM, it is believed to help "clear heat," "transform phlegm," and "resolve masses," which is interpreted by some practitioners as supportive in managing gallstone-related symptoms. However, the direct use of Trichosanthis specifically for gallstones (cholelithiasis) is not robustly documented in classical herbal texts, and when mentioned, it is typically as part of multi-herb formulas aimed at promoting gallbladder function or alleviating biliary discomfort.

Modern scientific research investigating Trichosanthis for gallstones is extremely limited. There are no high-quality clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly supporting its efficacy in dissolving gallstones or significantly improving outcomes related to gallstone disease. The available evidence supporting its traditional use is therefore weak and largely anecdotal, based on historical or empirical usage rather than validated clinical data. As such, while Trichosanthis appears in some traditional protocols, its use for gallstones should be considered as primarily traditional with a low level of supporting evidence.