Fruits and seedsPhlegm-resolvingSemen Benincasae

Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed)

冬瓜子 · Dong Gua Zi

Phlegm-resolving herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Clears the lung, transforms phlegm, drains dampness, and discharges pus.

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Quick Facts

Latin Name	Semen Benincasae
Chinese Name & Pinyin	冬瓜子 · Dong Gua Zi
Medicinal Part	Fruits and seeds
Efficacy Category	Phlegm-resolving
Botanical Origin	The dried ripe seed of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae).
Nature & Flavour	Sweet; Slightly cold
Channels Entered	Lung, Large Intestine

What Is Dong Gua Zi?

Dong Gua Zi (Winter Melon Seed) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Produced throughout China; major supplies from Hebei, Henan and Anhui.

Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Slightly cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Large Intestine

Dong Gua Zi: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Semen Benincasae

Botanical Origin

The dried ripe seed of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (Cucurbitaceae).

Production Regions

Produced throughout China; major supplies from Hebei, Henan and Anhui.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is full, yellowish-white, and free of empty shells.

Macroscopic Features

Flattened ovate seeds, 1~1.5cm long; externally yellowish-white; margin ridged; kernel oily.

Traditional TCM Properties

Sweet; Slightly coldLungLarge Intestine

Traditional Functions

Clears the lung, transforms phlegm, drains dampness, and discharges pus. Apply to phlegm-heat cough, lung abscess, intestinal abscess, and vaginal discharge.

How Dong Gua Zi Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Dong Gua Zi is classified among the Phlegm-resolving herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.

Formulas containing Dong Gua Zi are traditionally used for:

Abdominal Pain Constipation Fever

Classical Formulas Containing Dong Gua Zi

Da Huang Mu Dan Tang

大黃牡丹湯

Formula CategoryPurgative FormulasPrimary PatternDamp-HeatPrimary FunctionDrain heat, break stasis, disperse swellingRelated ConditionsAbdominal Pain·Constipation·Fever

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Herbs Commonly Combined with Dong Gua Zi

Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tao Ren Mang Xiao

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dong Gua Zi? Are Dong Gua Pi, Yi Yi Ren and Gua Lou Ren the same?

Dong Gua Zi (冬瓜子) is the dried ripe seed of Benincasa hispida, known as Benincasae Semen. Dong Gua Pi is the outer rind: sweet-cool, promotes urination, disperses swelling and clears summerheat—it does not drain pus. Yi Yi Ren is sweet-bland-cool: promotes urination, leaches damp, fortifies the Spleen, eliminates impediment, clears heat and drains pus. Gua Lou Ren is sweet-cold: moistens the Lung, transforms phlegm and moistens the intestines. Write Dong Gua Zi and crush before use. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Dong Gua Zi?

Provincial standards and materia medica generally record Dong Gua Zi as sweet and slightly cold, entering the Lung and Large Intestine channels (some also name Spleen and Small Intestine), acting to clear heat and transform phlegm, drain pus and leach damp. It is used for phlegm-heat cough, Lung welling-abscess, intestinal welling-abscess, vaginal discharge, strangury and edema. Sweet-cold and moistening, it suits phlegm-heat forming pus and damp-heat—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold or patterns without heat or pus.

Does Dong Gua Zi need special processing? Can Dong Gua Pi replace it?

Wash and dry; crush before decoction; powder may also be swallowed. Winter-melon rind promotes urination, disperses swelling and clears summerheat; it cannot replace clearing the Lung and draining pus by equal weight. Kitchen-dried seeds must be ripe, plump and free of mold or rancid oil; they are not a self-dosed welling-abscess specific.

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Learn More About Dong Gua Zi

Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Dong Gua Zi.

Read the Dong Gua Zi Guide →

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.