The shell can cure heart disease, the kernel can relieve constipation, and the root can produce body fluid. You have definitely never seen it before.

This melon likes to grow in the cracks of cliffs in deep mountains and thorny areas. This kind of melon is the traditional Chinese medicine Trichosanthes kirilowii. Trichosanthes is very common in rural areas and is not expensive even if you buy it in a pharmacy. The pericarp, seed, and rhizome of Trichosanthes are all commonly used Chinese medicinal materials in clinical practice.

Trichosanthes has the effects of clearing away heat and phlegm, relieving chest tightness and dispersing stagnation, moistening dryness and lubricating the intestines. It is used for lung heat cough, turbid yellow and thick phlegm, chest pain and heart pain, chest congestion and fullness, breast abscess, lung abscess, intestinal abscess swelling and pain, constipation, etc. The root of Trichosanthes is called Trichosanthes, which has the effects of clearing away heat and purging fire, promoting fluid and quenching thirst, and draining pus and reducing swelling. Indications: Treat thirst due to fever, diabetes, jaundice, dry cough with blood, carbuncle, hemorrhoids, fistula, etc.

The traditional Chinese medicine Trichosanthes kirilowii was used by Zhang Zhongjing as early as the Han Dynasty to treat chest pain and heart pain (equivalent to modern coronary heart disease), such as: Trichosanthes kirilowii, Xiebai and white wine soup; Trichosanthes kirilowii, Xiebai and Pinellia soup, etc. Used to treat cough due to phlegm and heat, such as Xiao Xianxiong Decoction (composed of Pinellia, Coptis chinensis, and Trichosanthes fruit). It has the effects of clearing away heat, resolving phlegm, relieving chest tightness and dispersing stagnation (Treatise on Febrile Diseases).

In clinical treatment of upper abdominal distension and pain, nausea and vomiting caused by gastritis, I often use Xiao Xianxiong Decoction combined with Sini San (Bupleurum, Citrus aurantium, White Peony Root, Licorice). For lung heat cough, coughing up yellow phlegm and bitter taste in the mouth. I often use melon peel in combination with Houttuynia cordata, Platycodon grandiflorum, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Phragmites australis.

Trichosanthes can also be used to treat shingles. Such as the Trichosanthes, Safflower and Licorice Decoction in "Yizhi Xuyu". In clinical practice, I use this prescription with added ingredients to treat shingles, and the effect is good and can withstand repeated verification.

Functions and indications of Trichosanthes seed: moistening the lungs and resolving phlegm, lubricating the intestines and promoting bowel movements. Used for dry cough with sticky phlegm, dry intestine and constipation. It is often used in combination with Ophiopogon japonicus, Scrophularia ningpoensis, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Platycodon grandiflorum, Radish seeds, etc. to treat cough due to lung heat and loss of body fluid, uncomfortable sputum, constipation, etc.

Contraindications: 1. Trichosanthes is cold in nature and is not suitable for people with weak spleen and stomach, loose stools, cold phlegm or wet phlegm.

2. It should not be used together with Aconitum-type medicinal materials.

Radix Trichosanthis has the effects of promoting fluid production and quenching thirst, draining pus and reducing swelling. It is often used clinically for thirst caused by excessive heat in the lungs and stomach, as well as excessive heat and toxicity, mouth and tongue sores; or heat and toxic sores, such as Xianfang Huomingyin. Radix Trichosanthis can also be used in combination with Radix Rehmanniae, Scrophulariae, Ophiopogon japonicus, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, etc. to be used for thirst caused by yin deficiency in diabetes.