Tian Hua Fen
Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Drains Fire; Generates Fluids and Relieves Thirst; Clears Heat and Moistens the Lungs; Resolves Toxicity and Reduces Swelling; Expels Pus
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. (Cucurbitaceae) is the same dioecious perennial climbing vine that yields Gua Lou Ren, native to China with palmately lobed leaves, branched tendrils, and fringed-petaled white flowers. From the underground portion it forms large, fleshy, cylindrical to fusiform tuberous roots up to 30 cm long with white starchy flesh. For Tian Hua Fen, the roots are dug in autumn or winter, peeled, cut into longitudinal pieces or transverse disks, and sun-dried. In TCM, Tian Hua Fen is sweet, slightly bitter, and slightly sour in flavor and cool in nature, entering the Lung and Stomach channels; it clears heat, generates fluids, moistens dryness, reduces swelling, and expels pus. It contains trichosanthin, a ribosome-inactivating protein of significant pharmacological interest.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.