（《拾遗》）
【集解】藏器曰∶苦茄野生岭南。树小有刺。
子
【主治】醋摩，涂痈肿。根，亦可作汤浴。又主瘴气（藏器）。
（《日华》）
【释名】瓠瓜（《说文》）、匏瓜（《论语》）。
时珍曰∶壶，酒器也。卢，饮器也。此物各象其形，又可为酒饭之器，因以名之。俗作
葫芦者，非矣。葫乃蒜名，芦乃苇属也。其圆者曰匏，亦曰瓢，因其可以浮水如泡、如漂也。
凡属皆得称瓜，故曰瓠瓜、匏瓜。古人壶、瓠、匏三名皆可通称，初无分别。故孙 《唐
韵》云∶瓠音壶，又音护。瓠 ，瓢也。陶隐居《本草》作瓠 ，云是瓠类也。许慎《说文》
云∶瓠，匏也。又云∶瓢，瓠也。匏，大腹瓠也。陆玑《诗疏》云∶壶，瓠也。又云∶匏，
瓠也。《庄子》云∶有五石之瓠。诸书所言，其字皆当与壶同音。而后世以长如越瓜首尾如
一者为瓠（音护），瓠之一头有腹长柄者为悬瓠，无柄而圆大形扁者为匏，匏之有短柄大腹
者
为壶，壶之细腰者为蒲芦，各分名色，迥异于古。以今参详，其形状虽各不同，而苗、叶、
皮、子性味则一，故兹不复分条焉。悬瓠，今人所谓茶酒瓢者是也。蒲芦，今之药壶卢是也。
郭义恭《广志》谓之约腹壶，以其腹有约束也。亦有大、小二种也。
【集解】弘景曰∶瓠与冬瓜气类同辈。又有瓠 ，亦是瓠类。小者名瓢，食之乃胜瓠。
此等皆利水道，所以在夏月食之，大约不及冬瓜也。
恭曰∶瓠与瓠 、冬瓜全非类例。三物苗、叶相似，而实形则异。瓠形似越瓜，长尺余，
头尾相似，夏中便熟，秋末便枯。瓠 形状大小非一，夏末始实，秋中方熟，取其为器，经
霜乃堪。瓠与甜瓠 体性相类，啖之俱胜冬瓜，陶言不及，乃是未悉。此等原种各别也。
时珍曰∶长瓠、悬瓠、壶卢、匏瓜、蒲卢，名状不一，其实一类各色也。处处有之，但
有迟早之殊。陶氏言瓠与冬瓜气类同辈，苏氏言瓠与瓠 全非类例，皆未可凭。数种并以正
二月下种，生苗引蔓延缘。其叶似冬瓜叶而稍团，有柔毛，嫩时可食。故《诗》云∶幡幡瓠
叶，采之烹之。五、六月开白花，结实白色，大小长短，各有种色。瓤中之子，齿列而长，
谓之瓠犀。窃谓壶匏之属，既可烹晒，又可为器。大者可为瓮盎，小者可为瓢樽，为舟可以
浮水，为笙可以奏乐，肤瓤可以养豕，犀瓣可以浇烛，其利溥矣。
壶瓠
【气味】甘，平，滑，无毒。
恭曰∶甘冷。多食令人吐利。
扁鹊曰∶患香港脚虚胀冷气者食之，永不除也。
【主治】消渴恶疮，鼻口中肉烂痛（思邈）。利水道（弘景）。消热，服丹石人宜之（孟
诜）。除烦，治心热，利小肠，润心肺，治石淋（大明）。
【发明】时珍曰∶按∶《名医录》云∶浙人食匏瓜，多吐泻，谓之发暴。盖此物以暑月
壅成故也。惟与香 同食则可免。
【附方】新一。
腹胀黄肿∶用亚腰壶卢连子烧存性，每服一个，食前温酒下。不饮酒者，白汤下。十余
日见效。（《简便方》）
叶
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】为茹耐饥（思邈）。
蔓、须、花
【主治】解毒（时珍）。
【附方】新一。
预解胎毒∶七、八月，或三伏日，或中秋日，剪壶卢须如环子脚者，阴干，于除夜煎汤
浴小儿，则可免出痘。（唐瑶《经验方》）
子
【主治】齿龈或肿或露，齿摇疼痛，用八两同牛膝四两，每服五钱，煎水含漱，日三、
四次（《御药院方》）。
(From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica])
[Ji Jie] Chen Cangqi said: Kuqie (Bitter Eggplant/Gourd) grows wild in the Lingnan region. The plant is small and has thorns.
Seeds: Rubbed with vinegar and applied topically, it treats carbuncles and swellings. The root can also be decocted for bathing. Additionally, it treats miasma (Chen Cangqi).
(From *Rihua Bencao*)
[Shi Ming] Hu Gua (Gourd, cited from *Shuowen Jiezi*), Pao Gua (Gourd, cited from *Analects*).
Li Shizhen said: "Hu" refers to a wine vessel. "Lu" refers to a drinking vessel. This plant's parts resemble these vessels, and it can be used as a container for wine and rice, hence its name. The common writing "Hulu" is incorrect. "Hu" is the name for garlic, and "Lu" belongs to the reed family. The round ones are called Pao, also known as Piao (Ladle), because they float on water like bubbles or driftwood. Anything belonging to this category can be called Gua, thus Hu Gua and Pao Gua. In ancient times, the names "Hu", "Hu", and "Pao" were interchangeable without distinction. Therefore, Sun Mian in *Tang Yun* stated: "Hu" sounds like "Hu" (pot), and also like "Hu" (protect). Hu is Piao. Tao Hongjing's *Bencao* writes "Hu", stating it is a type of Hu. Xu Shen's *Shuowen Jiezi* states: "Hu is Pao." It also states: "Piao is Hu." "Pao is the large-bellied Hu." Lu Ji's commentary on the *Classic of Poetry* states: "Hu is Hu." It also states: "Pao is Hu." *Zhuangzi* states: "There is a Hu with a capacity of five shi." In all books mentioned, the pronunciation of these characters should be the same as "Hu". Later generations distinguished them: long ones resembling Yue melons with similar heads and tails are called Hu (sound: Hu); those with a belly and long handle at one end are called Xuan Hu; those without a handle, round, large, and flat are called Pao; those with short handles and large bellies among Pao are called Hu; those with narrow waists among Hu are called Pulou. Each was given distinct names and types, differing significantly from antiquity. Based on current detailed examination, although their shapes differ, the properties of their seedlings, leaves, skin, and seeds are identical; therefore, they are not listed separately here. Xuan Hu is what people today call tea and wine ladles. Pulou is what people today call medicinal gourds. Guo Yigong's *Guang Zhi* calls it Yue Fu Hu (Constricted-belly Gourd) because its belly is constricted. There are also large and small varieties.
[Ji Jie] Tao Hongjing said: Hu shares similar qi properties with Donggua (Winter Melon). There is also Hu , which is also a type of Hu. The small ones are called Piao, and eating them is superior to eating Hu. These items all promote urination, so eating them in summer is generally considered inferior to Winter Melon.
Su Gong said: Hu, Hu , and Donggua are completely different categories. Although their seedlings and leaves are similar, their fruit shapes differ. Hu resembles Yue melon, is over a chi long, has similar heads and tails, ripens in summer, and withers by late autumn. Hu varies in shape and size, fruits in late summer, ripens in mid-autumn, and is suitable for making vessels only after enduring frost. Hu and sweet Hu have similar physical properties; eating both is superior to Winter Melon. Tao's statement that they are inferior is due to lack of knowledge. Their original species are distinct.
Li Shizhen said: Chang Hu, Xuan Hu, Hulu, Pao Gua, and Pulou have different names and appearances but belong to the same category with various colors. They grow everywhere, differing only in timing. Tao's claim that Hu is similar to Winter Melon, and Su's claim that Hu is entirely different from Hu , are both unreliable. These varieties are sown in the first or second lunar month. Seedlings grow by creeping and climbing. Leaves resemble Winter Melon leaves but are slightly rounder, covered with soft hairs, and edible when tender. Thus, the *Classic of Poetry* says: "Fluttering Hu leaves, gathered and cooked." White flowers bloom in the fifth and sixth months, bearing white fruits of various sizes and lengths. Seeds within the pulp are arranged neatly and elongated, called "Hu Xi" (Gourd Teeth). I believe that plants of the Hu and Pao genus can be cooked and dried, or made into vessels. Large ones can be made into jars, small ones into ladles and cups; made into boats, they float on water; made into sheng (mouth organ), they produce music; skin and pulp can feed pigs; seed segments can be used to extinguish candles. Their utility is extensive.
Hu and Hu
[Qi Wei] Sweet, neutral, smooth, non-toxic.
Su Gong said: Sweet and cold. Excessive consumption causes vomiting and diarrhea.
Bian Que said: For those suffering from Hongxiangjiao (Erysipelas/Gouty swelling) with deficiency swelling and cold qi, consuming it will never cure the condition.
[Zhu Zhi] Treats Xiao Ke (Wasting-Thirst) and foul ulcers, rotting and painful flesh in nose and mouth (Sun Simiao). Promotes urination (Tao Hongjing). Clears heat, suitable for those taking Dan Shi (mineral pills) (Meng Shen). Relieves irritability, treats Heart Heat, promotes Small Intestine function, moistens Lung and Heart, treats Shi Lin (Stony Strangury) (Kou Zongshi).
[Fa Ming] Li Shizhen said: According to *Mingyi Lu*: People in Zhejiang who eat Pao Gua often suffer vomiting and diarrhea, termed "Fa Bao". This is likely because the substance accumulates obstructively during hot months. Eating it together with Xiang Ru (Elsholtzia) can prevent this.
[Fu Fang] New Formula One.
Abdominal distension with yellow edema: Use Ya Yao Hulu (Saddle-shaped Gourd) including seeds, calcined until carbonized but retaining essence. Take one unit per dose, administered with warm wine before meals. For those who do not drink alcohol, administer with plain boiled water. Effect visible after more than ten days (*Jianbian Fang*).
Leaves
[Qi Wei] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Zhuhi] Consumed as vegetables to sustain hunger (Sun Simiao).
Vines, Tendrils, Flowers
[Zhu Zhi] Detoxifies (Li Shizhen).
[Fu Fang] New Formula One.
Preventing Congenital Toxins: In July or August, or during the Sanfu days (Dog Days), or on Mid-Autumn Festival, cut Hulu tendrils shaped like ring feet, dry them in shade. On New Year's Eve, decoct and bathe infants in the water to prevent chickenpox (Tang Yao *Experience Formulas*).
Seeds
[Zhu Zhi] For swollen or receding gums, loose and painful teeth: Use eight liang combined with four liang of Niuxi (Achyranthes Root). Take five qian per dose, decoct in water for gargling, three to four times daily (*Yuyao Yuan Fang*).