即土瓜根。泻热、通、利水行血。
苦寒。泻热利水。治天行热疾。黄胆消渴。（捣汁饮。）便数带下。月闭瘀血。利大小肠。
排
脓消肿。下乳。（通乳药多用之、单服亦可。）堕胎。唯实热壅滞者宜之。稍稍挟虚。切勿妄
投。根如栝蒌之小者。味如山药。根子通用。（经疏曰∶主治略似栝蒌、伤寒发斑、用王瓜
捣汁、和伏龙肝末服、甚效。黄胆变黑、医所不能治、用土瓜根汁、平旦温服一小升、午
刻黄水当从小便出、愈。）
泻火散结。
苦能泄。辛能散。甘能缓中。寒能除热。杀火毒。散结气。生肌止痛。治痈疽疮肿。面
上
疮。金疮扑损。（箭镞不出者、同丹皮或半夏为末、酒服。）敛疮方多用之。（故名、每与白
芨相须。）搽冻耳。（同黄柏末、油调。）赤蔹功用皆同。（郑奠一曰∶能治温疟血痢、肠风
痔漏、赤白带下。）蔓赤。枝有五叶。根如卵而长。三五枚同窠。皮乌肉白。反乌头。（外台
方
泻热解毒。
苦寒。泻心火。以保肺金。去肺大肠之风热。（心火降、则不灼肺而金清、肺与大肠相
表里
、肺金清则大肠亦清。）消肿止痛。治喉痈喉风。龈肿齿痛。含之咽汁、喘满热咳。腹痛
下痢。五痔诸疮。解诸药毒。敷秃疮、蛇狗蜘蛛伤。疗人马急黄。（血热极所致。）大苦大寒
。脾胃所恶。食少而泻者。切勿沾唇。苗蔓如豆。经冬不凋。
It is the root of *Trichosanthes cucumerina* (Tu Gua Gen). It purges heat, unblocks and promotes urination, and moves blood.
Bitter and cold in nature. Purges heat and promotes urination. Treats epidemic febrile diseases, jaundice, and Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst syndrome) (Drink the juice extracted by crushing). Treats frequent urination, leukorrhea, amenorrhea due to blood stasis. Unblocks and promotes the functioning of the large and small intestines.
Expels pus and reduces swelling. Promotes lactation (Frequently used in galactagogues; can also be taken alone). Causes abortion. Only suitable for cases of excess heat stagnation. If there is even a slight deficiency, do not administer recklessly. The root resembles a smaller *Trichosanthes kirilowii* (Gua Lou), tastes like *Dioscorea opposita* (Shan Yao). Both root and seed are generally usable. (*Ben Cao Jing Shu* states: Its main indications are slightly similar to *Trichosanthes kirilowii*. For macules appearing in Shang Han (Cold Damage) with fever, crush Wang Gua (Wax Gourd/Trichosanthes cucumerina root) into juice, mix with powdered Long Gu Men Dong (Fuli - calcined clay from the hearth), and take orally; it is very effective. For jaundice turning black, which physicians cannot treat, use the juice of Tu Gua Gen, take one small sheng warm at dawn, and by noon the yellow fluid should exit via urine, leading to recovery.)
Purges fire and dissipates nodules.
Bitterness can drain/descend, pungency can disperse, sweetness can moderate the middle, and coldness can eliminate heat. Kills fire toxins, dissipates stagnant qi. Generates flesh and stops pain. Treats carbuncles, sores, swellings, facial ulcers, and traumatic injuries (metal wounds or falls) (For arrowheads that have not exited, mix with *Paeonia suffruticosa* var. *alfredii* root bark (Dan Pi) or *Pinellia ternata* (Ban Xia) into powder, and take with wine). Frequently used in formulas for astringing sores (Hence its name, often used synergistically with *Bletilla striata* (Bai Ji)). Apply for frostbitten ears (Mix with *Phellodendron amurense* (Huang Bo) powder, blend with oil). Chi Lian (Red Lian) has identical functions. (Zheng Dian Yi says: Can treat Wen Nue (Warm Malaria), bloody dysentery, Chang Feng (intestinal wind/hemorrhoids), and red-white leukorrhea). Man Chi, branches have five leaves, roots are oval-shaped and long, three to five tubers grow together in one cluster. Skin is dark/black, flesh is white, counteracts *Aconitum carmichaelii* (Wu Tou) (*Waitai Mi Yao* formula)
Purges heat and detoxifies.
Bitter and cold. Purges Heart Fire to protect Lung Metal. Removes Wind-Heat from the Lungs and Large Intestine (When Heart Fire descends, it does not scorch the Lungs, thus Lung Metal becomes clear; since the Lungs and Large Intestine are exterior-interior paired, when Lung Metal is clear, the Large Intestine is also clear). Reduces swelling and stops pain. Treats throat abscesses, throat wind, gum swelling, and toothache. Hold in mouth and swallow juice to treat wheezing, fullness, hot cough, abdominal pain, and dysentery. Treats the five types of hemorrhoids and various sores. Resolves toxicity of various medicines. Apply for tinea capitis, snake bites, dog bites, and spider bites. Treats acute Ji Huang (acute icterus) in humans and horses (Caused by extreme Blood Heat). Extremely bitter and cold, it is detested by the Spleen and Stomach. Those with poor appetite and diarrhea must not touch it. Vines resemble legumes, remain green through winter.