Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Radix Trichosanthis |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 瓜蔞根 · Gua Lou Gen |
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| Medicinal Part | Roots and rhizomes |
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| Efficacy Category | Heat-clearing |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms (Cucurbitaceae); also known as Tian Hua Fen. |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet, Slightly bitter; Slightly cold |
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| Channels Entered | Lung, Stomach |
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What Is Gua Lou Gen?
Gua Lou Gen (Trichosanthes Root) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shandong, Hebei and Sichuan.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet, Slightly bitter; Slightly cold
Channels Entered: Lung, Stomach
Gua Lou Gen: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Radix Trichosanthis
Botanical Origin
The dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms (Cucurbitaceae); also known as Tian Hua Fen.
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Shandong, Hebei and Sichuan.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is white, powdery, and free of fibrous wood.
Macroscopic Features
Irregular cylindrical or petal-like pieces, 5~15cm long; externally yellowish-white; fracture white and powdery; taste slightly bitter.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet, Slightly bitter; Slightly coldLungStomach
Traditional Functions
Clears heat, generates fluids, moistens the lung, and discharges pus. Apply to thirst from heat injuring fluids, dry cough, and sores that will not ulcerate or drain.
How Gua Lou Gen Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Gua Lou Gen is classified among the Heat-clearing herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Gua Lou Gen are traditionally used for:
FeverChest TightnessDry Mouth & ThroatAbdominal Pain
Classical Formulas Containing Gua Lou Gen
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gua Lou Gen? Are Gua Lou, Gua Lou Pi and Gua Lou Zi the same?
The pharmacopoeial name is Tian Hua Fen (天花粉), which is Gua Lou Gen (瓜蒌根): the dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii or Trichosanthes rosthornii. The pharmacopoeial name is Trichosanthis Radix. Gua Lou is the ripe fruit: clears heat, washes phlegm, loosens the chest, dissipates nodes and moistens dryness to free the stool. Gua Lou Pi leans to moving qi and loosening the chest. Gua Lou Zi leans to moistening the Lung, transforming phlegm and slipping the intestines. Same plant, different parts—do not mix by equal weight. Write Tian Hua Fen or Gua Lou Gen. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold. It antagonizes aconite.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Gua Lou Gen?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Tian Hua Fen is sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, enters the Lung and Stomach channels, and acts to clear heat, drain fire, generate fluid, quench thirst, disperse swelling and expel pus. It is used for heat disease with vexing thirst, Lung-heat dry cough, internal-heat wasting-thirst, and sores and swellings. Sweet, slightly bitter and slightly cold, it suits heat damaging fluid and sores—not Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold, loose stool or cold-phlegm.
Does Gua Lou Gen need special processing? Can Gua Lou replace it?
Remove foreign matter, wash, soften and cut thick slices, then dry. Trichosanthes fruit transforms phlegm, loosens the chest and moistens the intestines; it cannot replace generating fluid, quenching thirst, dispersing swelling and expelling pus by equal weight. Commercial pollen tea is not equal-weight pieces. Trichosanthin injection is a different preparation and cannot replace the pieces on your own.
Learn More About Gua Lou Gen
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Gua Lou Gen.
Read the Gua Lou Gen 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.
