Snakegourd Seed Whole (Trichosanthes Kirilowii)

Snakegourd Seed Whole (Trichosanthes kirilowii) is the dried mature seed of the snakegourd vine, a classical medicinal plant used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) known as Guā Lóu Rén (瓜蒌仁). This nourishing, moistening seed is valued for its ability to clear heat, transform phlegm, moisten dryness, lubricate the intestines, and support chest and lung comfort. Its nature is sweet and cold, giving it a gentle yet effective action for conditions involving phlegm-heat, dryness, constipation, or chest congestion.

In TCM, Gua Lou Ren enters the Lung, Stomach, and Large Intestine channels, where it helps moisten dryness, dissolve phlegm, relieve chest tightness, and ease constipation caused by heat or fluid deficiency. It is traditionally used for dry cough, thick or sticky phlegm, chest oppression, lung heat, intestinal dryness, and difficult stools, especially when symptoms arise from internal heat consuming fluids. Unlike harsher purgatives, it works by nourishing and lubricating, restoring normal movement rather than forcing elimination.

Snakegourd Seed is also appreciated for its role in soothing internal inflammation and softening accumulations, making it useful in formulas addressing breast abscesses, nodules, or early-stage swellings associated with heat and phlegm. Its oily nature supports tissue moisture while helping disperse clumped phlegm and stagnation.

Modern research shows that Trichosanthes kirilowii seeds contain fatty oils, triterpenoids, proteins, and anti-inflammatory compounds with documented expectorant, laxative, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. These constituents align closely with its traditional use for lung moisture, phlegm transformation, and intestinal lubrication.

Each batch of Snakegourd Seed Whole (Trichosanthes kirilowii) is carefully cleaned and dried to preserve its smooth surface, pale color, and naturally oily richness. When decocted or lightly crushed before brewing, it produces a mild, slightly sweet, cooling infusion traditionally used to moisten the lungs and intestines, clear phlegm-heat, relieve chest discomfort, and support gentle bowel movement.