Trichosanthis japonica (Tianhuafen)

Distribution:
Throughout China, especially in Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi
 
Properties (characteristics)
Root: sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold
 
Channels (meridians) entered:
Lung, stomach
 
Actions & Indications:
Clears lung heat, dissolves phlegm, for cough with thick phlegm, rid of toxicity, expels pus; for treatment of chlorion epithelioma, hydatidiform mole.

Medical Function:
Tian hua fen effects on the cardiovascular system:
Tian hua fen can increase coronary blood flow. Injectiones of trichosanthes bark (gua lou pi) decoction and alcohol precipitation concentrates on in vitro guinea pig hearts can expand coronary artery and can empower coronary blood flow by about 60% on acute myocardial ischemia and can have a significant protective effect. The strength of coronary artery expansion effect of the different parts of the herb is: Trichosanthes skin> gua lou xiang> Trichosanthes sub> Trichosanthes Ren> Trichosanthes shell.
Tian hua fen have antiarrhythmic effects.
Tian hua fen can inhibit cardiac function.
 
Dosage:
9 - 15 g
 
Cautions:
Not to be used by pregnant women or in cases of pixu (speen deficient) or weixu (stomach deficient).