Its source is from the root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., family Cucurbitaceae, the medicinal material is produced in all parts of China and collected in autumn and winter, the fresh one is used or cut into pieces, dried in the sun for medication.

Medicinal Properties:
Sweet and slightly bitter in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the lung and stomach meridians.

Actions:
Clear away heat and promote the production of body fluids, resolve swelling and drain pus.

 

Application
1. It is used for febrile disease with thirst, diabetes and frequent drinking, since it is sweet, cold but moistening in properties, and can clear away heat and promote production of the body fluids.
2. It can clear away lung-heat and moisturize the lung, so it is used for dry cough due to lung-heat.
3. It can be used for pyocutaneous disease of heat type whether the infection is ulcerous or not. It can relieve carbuncle for the nonulcerous and can drain pus and promote the production of muscles for the ulcerous

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