The efficacy and function of Radix Trichosanthis [Picture]

Although Western medicine and Western drugs are more common nowadays, people still often believe that diseases can only be cured by taking Chinese medicine, because Chinese medicine can cure the root cause. Radix Trichosanthis [Picture] is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine. Let’s take a look at some common knowledge about Radix Trichosanthis [Picture].

【English name】RADIX TRICHOSANTHIS

[Source] This product is the dried root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Herms, a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family . Dig up in autumn and winter, wash, remove the skin, cut into sections or split longitudinally into petals, and dry.

[Properties] This product is irregular cylindrical, spindle-shaped or petal-shaped, 8 to 16 cm long and 1.5 to 5.5 cm in diameter. The surface is yellowish white or light brownish yellow, with longitudinal wrinkles, fine root marks and slightly sunken transverse lenticels, and some have yellowish brown outer skin residues. The texture is solid, the cross section is white or light yellow, rich in powder, yellow xylem can be seen on the cross section, arranged slightly radially, and yellow striped xylem can be seen on the longitudinal section. Odorless, slightly bitter taste.

[Identification] (1) The powder of this product is off-white, with many starch granules. Single granules are spherical, semicircular or helmet-shaped, with a diameter of 6 to 48 μm, with navel dots, short slits or herringbone shapes, and faintly visible layer patterns; multiple granules are composed of 2 to 8 sub-granules. The bordered pit vessels are large and mostly broken; some bordered pits are hexagonal or square and closely arranged. The stone cells are yellow-green, rectangular, oval, square, polygonal or spindle-shaped, with a diameter of 27 to 72 μm, thick walls and fine pores.

[Preparation] Soak briefly, moisten thoroughly, cut into thick slices, and dry.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold.

[return through meridians] Return to the lung and stomach meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat, promotes the production of body fluid, reduces swelling and discharges pus. It is used for thirst due to febrile disease, dry cough due to lung heat, thirst due to internal heat, and swelling and infection due to sores and ulcers.

【Usage and Dosage】 10-15g.

【Note】 It should not be used together with Aconitum-type medicinal materials.

【Storage】 Store in a dry place to prevent moth damage.

【Remarks】 (1) Used for dry cough due to lung heat, loss of body fluid due to febrile disease, thirst, etc. This product can clear the lungs, moisten dryness, promote salivation and quench thirst. Therefore, it is clinically used for lung heat and dry cough, and can be compatible with Adenophora Root, Ophiopogon Japonicus, etc.; it is used for symptoms such as damage to body fluid due to febrile disease and diabetes, and can be compatible with Ophiopogon Japonicus, Anemarrhena Rhizoma, etc.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] Leigong Paozhi Lun

This article introduces some basic knowledge about the medicinal material Radix Trichosanthis [Picture], which is very effective in treating some related diseases of the human body. Moreover, Radix Trichosanthis [picture] has a certain regulating effect on the body and can be consumed in moderation at ordinary times.