The efficacy and function of Hulu

As for Hu Lu, I think some people may have heard of it or even taken it. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t heard of it. Next, I will introduce Hu Lu to you.

[Other names] Pao (Book of Songs), Pao Gua (Analects of Confucius), Hu (Heguanzi), Hugua (Shuowen), Sweet Hupule (Tang Materia Medica), Yaozhou (Heguanzi, with Lu Dian's annotation), Hupao (Southern Yunnan Materia Medica), Hugu (Qunfangpu), Calabash Melon (Bencao Qiuyuan), Gourd (New References to Medicinal Pieces).

[Source] It is the fruit of the Cucurbitaceae plant. In autumn, pick the ripe but young fruits and peel them for use.

[Original morphology] Annual climbing herb, the whole plant is dark green and covered with soft hairs; tendrils are branched. Leaves are alternate; leaf blades are cordate-ovate or reniform-ovate, about 10 to 40 cm long and wide, slightly angular or 3 shallowly fissured, obtuse at the apex, with short teeth on the margins, cordate at the base, with long petioles, and 2 glandular teeth at the top. The flowers are monoecious and solitary in leaf axils; the male petiole is longer than the petiole, while the female petiole is shorter; the calyx is funnel-shaped, 5-lobed, with narrow triangular teeth and covered with soft hairs; there are 5 petals, white and slightly round. The male flower has three stamens, the anthers are combined, one anther has only one chamber, and the other two anthers have two chambers each; the female flower has an ovary that is oval and hairy, with a short style and three stigmas, each with two lobes. The fruit is large, oblate or pear-shaped, slightly soft and light green when young, and the skin becomes hard and almost white when ripe. The seeds are white, numerous, and oblong. Flowering period is from July to August.

[Habitat distribution] Cultivated in most parts of the country.

[Chemical composition] The dried gourd of the original species contains 20% glucose, pentosan, etc. When the fruit matures, the content of lignin increases, while the content of shikimic acid and other substances decreases.

[Pharmacological action] Intravenous injection of 0.4 g/kg of gourd decoction has a significant diuretic effect on anesthetized dogs. Its effect is slightly stronger and more lasting than that of insect bamboo shoots. If used together with insect bamboo shoots, the diuretic effect is more significant than that of using it alone. When rabbits were gavaged with 2 g/kg of gourd decoction, the total daily urine output did not increase much, but within the first 12 hours after administration, the urine volume increased by 40% compared with usual. If rabbits were gavaged with a mixed decoction of equal amounts of gourd and insect shoots, the urine volume increased by 67.41%. Rabbits were given 2 g/kg/day by gavage for one week without any adverse reactions. The peeled root can treat edema and has a laxative effect.

【Nature and flavor】Sweet, light, neutral.

[return through meridians] enter the lung, spleen and kidney meridians.

【Functions and indications】Diuretic and relieving stranguria. Treat edema, abdominal distension, jaundice, and gonorrhea.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 0.5-1 liang; or calcine and grind into powder.

【Note】 People with cold should not take this medicine.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Bencao Gangmu". "Compendium of Materia Medica": In ancient times, the three names of "hu", "hu" and "pao" were all used interchangeably, with no distinction at first. Later generations called the gourd a gourd that is as long as a melon and has the same head and tail; the gourd with a belly on one end and a long handle is called a hanging gourd; the gourd without a handle and is round and flat is called a gourd; the gourd with a short handle and a big belly is called a pot; and the pot with a thin waist is called a cattail. Each has its own name and color, which is very different from the ancient times. Now, after careful consideration, we find that although their shapes are different, the seedlings, leaves and bark are the same in nature and flavor. The hanging gourd is what people today call the tea and wine gourd; the cattail reed is what people today call the medicine pot. Guo Yigong's "Guangzhi" called it a "yuefu pot" because its belly is restrained. There are also two types, large and small. Long gourd, hanging gourd, Hulu, gourd, Pulu, name

The above is a detailed introduction to the medicinal value of Hulu. There are also some ways and methods when eating Hulu. The above methods of eating are very helpful for regulating various problems of the human body, so you can do it with confidence.