The source is from the mature fruit of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or several species of the same genus, family Cucurbitaceae. The medicinal material is produced in all parts of China, collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe, dried in shade or the peel and seed are dried separately. The peel or the seed can be used in raw or in stir-baked form. When the peel and seed are used together or the whole fruit is used, the medicinal herb is called the whole Fructus Trichosanthis (Quangualou).

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

Actions: Clear away lung-heat and resolve phlegm, ease the chest and disperse lumps, lubricate the intestine and relax the bowels.

Application
1. For lung-heat syndrome manifested as cough with thick sputum, it is usually combined with Zhimu (Rhizoma Anemarrhenae ), Beimu ( Bulbus Fritillariae ), etc. ; for accumulation of phlegm-heat in the interior manifested as yellow and thick sputumn, chest distress but difficulty in defecation, Gualouren (Semen Trichosanthis) is combined with Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Dannanxing (Arisaema cum Bile ) and Zhishi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus ), such as Qingqi Huatan Wan (Pill).
2. It is used for chest pain and accumulation of phlegm-heat in the chest manifested as feeling of oppression or pains in the chest and hypochondrium. If a case has a chest pain but can't lie, he should be treated with the herb in combination with Xiebai (Bulbus Allii Macrostemi), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae); for accumulation of phlegm-heat in the chest and pain by pressure, combined with Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae) and Huanglian ( Rhizoma Coptidis ) .
3. For constipation due to dry intestine, it is usually combined with Huomaren (Fructus Cannabis), Yuliren  (Semen Pruni ) and Zhike ( Fructus Aurantii ) , etc..
Besides, Quangualou can also be used for mammary abscess with swelling and pain, it is usually combined with Pugongying ( Herba Taraxaci ), Ruxiang ( Olibanum ), and Moyao (Myrrha), etc..

Usage and Dosage:
Usually, 5 - 15 g of the whole herb, 6 - 9 g of Gualoupi (Pericarpium Trichosanthis), 10- 15 g of Gualouren (Semen Trichosanthis) are used in decoction for oral use.  Gualoupi (Pericarpium Trichosanthis) is a bit on side of resolving phlegm while Gualouren (Semen Trichosanthis ) is a bit on side of moistening intestine and relaxing bowels.

Notes:
Contraindicated for loose stool due to spleen deficiency and phlegm of dampness and cold types. It is incompatible with Wutou (Rhizoma Aconiti).