Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat
Gua Lou 栝楼
Fructus Trichosanthis Kirlowii Trichosanthes Fruit
✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cold
- Nature & Flavour
- Sweet, Cold
- Channels Entered
- LI, LU, ST
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Fructus Trichosanthis Kirlowii
- Chinese
- 栝楼
- Tone Marks
- guā lóu
Chinese Herb Actions
- Transforms Phlegm Heat, Clears Lung Heat For cough and copious, difficult to expectorate sputum due to Lung Heat
- Unbinds the Chest For Xiong Bi (painful obstruction of the chest due to heat and phlegm beneath the heart), stifling sensation, distensions, constriction, pain or pressure in the diaphragm
- Dissipates Nodules, Reduces Abscesses For abscesses in the lungs, intestines or breasts. Also for nodules.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 10-20 grams in decoction (Chen)
- 9-21 grams in decoction (Bensky)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use in cases with diarrhea due Spleen and Stomach Deficiency
- Do not use with Wu Tou
- Do not use with drugs of the Aconitum complex
Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose
- None Noted
This herb is incompatible with:
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt