Trichosanthes kirilowii

Trichosanthes kirilowii
Family:Trichosanthes kirilowii; Abortifacient; Antibiotic; Anticholesterolemic; Antifungal; Antiinflammatory; Antitussive; Cancer; Depurative; Emollient; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Galactogogue; Laxative; Oxytoxic; Sialagogue; Skin; Uterine tonic; Vulnerary.
Common name:Chinese cucumber
This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. Recent research has isolated a protein called 'trichosanthin' in the roots and this is undergoing trials as a possible remedy for AIDS. Skin vulnerary. The leaf and the stem are febrifuge. The fruit is antibacterial anticholesterolemic antifungal depurative emollient expectorant and laxative. It is used in the treatment of pulmonary infections with yellow and thick sputum chest pains stuffy feelings in the chest constipation and dry stool. It has an antibacterial action against E. coli Bacillus dysenteriae B. typhi B. paratyphi Pseudomonas Vibrio cholerae V. Proteus etc. The fruit is traditionally prepared as a winter soup to ward off colds and influenza. The fruit is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The rind of the fruit is used to treat a number of ailments including cancer jaundice retained placenta bronchial infections with thick phlegm and sore throat. The seed is antitussive emollient and expectorant. The root is antibiotic anti-inflammatory febrifuge galactogogue laxative oxytocic sialagogue and uterine tonic. The fresh root has been noted for centuries as an abortifacient - a sponge soaked in its juice was placed in the vagina and induced an abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy. The root is taken internally in the treatment of diabetes dry coughs and to assist in the second stage of labour. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The root and/or the seed is powdered and used in the treatment of mammary cancer.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 06:29 []