Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou)
Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) (Cultivated in Hebei Province)
Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) (Round, earthy yellow, glossy and wrinkled, fleshy placenta, pulp and seeds clustered together)
Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi) (Cut into several pieces, rolled into cylinders, orange-yellow, wrinkled, edges curled inward, thin peel easily broken)
Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi)
【Naming】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic
【Common Use Level】
B
【Botanical Origin】
Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) refers to the dried, mature fruits of Cucurbitaceae plants, specifically Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., T. rosthornii Harm, and other Trichosanthes spp.; <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/Trichosanthes Seed (Gua Lou Ren)/’>Trichosanthes Seed (Gua Lou Ren) are the mature seeds, and Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi) is the dried pericarp.
【Characteristics】
(1) Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou): The fruit is oblong-elliptical or oval, about 7-15cm long and 6-10cm in diameter. The pericarp is orange-yellow or earthy yellow, slightly glossy, wrinkled, with circular style remnants at the apex and slightly pointed at the base, with remnants of the fruit stalk. It is heavy. After cutting open, the inner surface is yellowish-white with fibers. The fleshy placenta is mostly shrunken into sticky filaments, and the seeds are clustered together. It has a caramel-like aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
The processed pieces have a yellow or dark yellow surface, a yellowish-white cut surface, and contain seeds and pulp. The taste is bland and slightly acidic.
(2) Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi): Usually rolled into a cylinder, about 6-10cm long, often with a fruit stalk attached. The pulp and seeds have usually been removed. It is usually cut into 2-4 pieces, wrinkled and uneven, and curved inward along the two sides of the fruit stalk. The pericarp is very thin, with an orange-yellow outer surface and a off-white to dark-yellow inner surface, often with remnants of unremoved pulp. It is hard and brittle. It has a fragrant and slightly spicy taste.
【Processing】
1. Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) 2. Stir-fried Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi) (Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou))
【Identification】
Ming Yi Bie Lu: “The root of Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) grows in Hongnong and Shanyin, and the ones that grow deep in the soil are good; the ones that grow in saline-alkali land are poisonous.” Zheng Lei Ben Cao: “The ones that grow deep in the soil are good,” “the small ones that are two in number and yellow when ripe are superior,” “the root is best when it has been in the soil for many years and deep down.” Pu Ji Fang: “Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) that is yellow when ripe is superior.” Ben Cao Pin Hui Jing Yao: “The root grows under the flower and is best when it has been in the soil for many years and deep down.” Hua Tuo Shen Fang: “Large Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou) with many seeds are good.”
1. Trichosanthes Fruit (Gua Lou): The best ones are large, unbroken, orange-yellow in color, and have a strong sweet taste.
2. <a href='https://whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/Trichosanthes Seed (Gua Lou Ren)/’>Trichosanthes Seed (Gua Lou Ren): The best ones are uniform, large and plump, have sufficient oil content, no empty shells, no residual flesh, and no rancidity.
3. Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi): The best ones are fully dry, not sugary, brightly colored, without fruit stalks, with white flesh, and clean.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Crab Shell Yellow: The pericarp surface of Trichosanthes Peel (Gua Lou Pi) is evenly wrinkled, orange-yellow, and shaped like a steamed crab shell.
【Category】
Fruits