A Detailed Guide to the Sowing Time, Benefits and Culinary Uses of Trichosanthes kirilowii

Trichosanthes kirilowii, also known as Gualou, Tanggualou or Lougua, is a perennial climbing herb that prefers to grow in deep mountains and steep ridges, among the crevices of cliff rocks overgrown with thorns. Its fruit, peel, kernels (seeds) and rhizome are all fine medicinal herbs. So, when is Trichosanthes kirilowii sown? What benefits does it have? How should it be eaten?

1. When is Trichosanthes kirilowii sown?

Trichosanthes kirilowii is generally sown from March to mid-April. Planting method: dig holes at a row spacing of 120 cm × 100 cm; make the holes 10 cm to 12 cm deep, place one section of root tuber flat in each hole, then cover with 3 cm to 5 cm of soil and firm it down. Water after planting, and promptly spray a herbicide.

2. What benefits does Trichosanthes kirilowii have?

1. Clearing heat and resolving phlegm

Used for cough and asthma due to phlegm-heat. This product is sweet, cold, clearing and moistening, and has the effect of clearing the lungs and resolving phlegm; it is used for lung-heat cough with thick phlegm that is hard to cough up. It can be used alone, and clinically it is often combined with Anemarrhena asphodeloides and Fritillaria thunbergii. If phlegm-heat binds internally, with yellow and thick phlegm, chest tightness and difficult bowel movements, it can also be combined with Scutellaria baicalensis, Arisaema cum Bile and bitter orange, as in Qingqi Huatan Wan.

In clinical practice, boiling it in water to treat cough is very effective, especially for paroxysmal cough with phlegm and the like.

2. Regulating qi and relieving chest tightness

Used for chest impediment and binding chest. This product can both clear and resolve phlegm-heat and relieve the chest and dissipate nodules, so it can free the blockage of the chest and diaphragm, and is an important herb for treating chest impediment and binding chest. To treat chest impediment due to phlegm turbidity obstructing and chest yang being blocked, it can be combined with Allium macrostemon and Pinellia ternata, as in Gualou Xiebai Baijiu Tang and Gualou Xiebai Banxia Tang. To treat binding chest due to phlegm-heat, with stuffiness and fullness in the chest and diaphragm that hurts when pressed, it is combined with Coptis chinensis and Pinellia ternata, as in Xiao Xianxiong Tang.

3. Reducing abscesses and dissipating nodules

Used for lung abscess, intestinal abscess, breast abscess and the like. This product can reduce swelling and dissipate nodules. To treat lung abscess with coughing and spitting of pus and blood, it is combined with Houttuynia cordata and reed root. To treat intestinal abscess, it is combined with Patrinia scabiosaefolia and Sargentodoxa cuneata. To treat the early stage of breast abscess with redness, swelling, heat and pain, it can be combined with dandelion, honeysuckle and Arctium lappa.

4. Moistening the intestines and relieving constipation

Used for constipation due to intestinal dryness. Trichosanthes seed is moist in nature and rich in oil, and has the effect of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. For those with excess heat in the stomach and intestines and constipation due to intestinal dryness, it is often combined with hemp seed and bitter apricot seed.

3. How should Trichosanthes kirilowii be eaten?

1. Boiled Trichosanthes kirilowii to treat cough and constipation

One way to eat Gualou is to decoct it in water. Put Trichosanthes kirilowii directly in water and decoct it, generally for about half an hour, then take the liquid and drink it. It is mainly used to treat cough with phlegm, and it also has a good effect on improving constipation. You can also decoct Gualou and Coptis chinensis in water in a clay pot and take it to detoxify. Decoct Gualou with Fritillaria and Poria cocos in water, and finally take the liquid. This can treat excessive phlegm caused by lung heat, or dryness and itching in the throat.

2. Stir-fried Trichosanthes kirilowii to help moisten the lungs and stop cough

Cut fresh Gualou into slices, then stir-fry them with sliced lettuce stems and eat; the taste is delicious. You can also stir-fry Gualou with radish and eat it. Eating it this way can help moisten the lungs and stop cough. For friends with cough and lots of phlegm, eating such food regularly can help us resolve phlegm and stop cough!