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Sweet in taste, very cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily suppresses the toxicity caused by *Dan Shi* (mineral drugs), eliminates vexation and heat, promotes urination and defecation, and relieves thirst. For children suffering from *Re Pi* (heat stagnation syndrome), drinking the juice extracted from soaked and pounded *Gegen* (Kudzu Root) is effective. (Modern addition)
Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully note that according to the entry for *Gegen* in Volume 1 of the Middle Category, its functions are consistent with this.
The detailed illustrations and descriptions are listed under the entry for *Gegen*.
Chen Cangqi stated in *Bencao Shiyi* (Supplement to Materia Medica): It is excellent for treating heat sores in children. *Shenghui Fang*: For cases of ingesting *Zhen* poison where breath is nearly extinguished, use three *he* of *Ge Fen* (Kudzu Starch), mixed with three *zhan* of water, and drink. If the jaw is clenched, pry it open and administer. Another prescription: For vexation and heat in the chest or thirst, with heart restlessness, use four *liang* of *Ge Fen*. First soak half a *sheng* of millet in water overnight, strain it out, mix evenly with the kudzu starch, cook thoroughly, and eat. *Shiyi Xinjing* treats high fever in children, continuous vomiting, and inability to eat. Formula for惊痫 (convulsions and epilepsy): Use two large *qian* of *Ge Fen*, mix evenly with two *he* of water, pour into a brass pan, tilt to coat the bottom, steam until cooked, and eat mixed with rice gruel.

Trichosanthes Fruit (*Gualou*)
Root Bitter in taste, cold in nature, non-toxic. Mainly treats *Xiao Ke* (wasting-thirst syndrome), body heat with vexation and fullness, severe heat, tonifies deficiency and calms the middle jiao, heals severed injuries, removes chronic heat in the stomach and intestines, treats eight types of jaundice, yellowing of the body and face, dry lips and mouth, shortness of breath, regulates menstruation, and stops excessive urination. Also known as *Di Lou*, *Guo Luo*, *Tian Gua*, and *Ze Gu*.
Fruit Known as *Huang Gua*, mainly treats *Xiong Bi* (chest bi-syndrome/obstruction), and beautifies the complexion.
Stem and Leaves Treat heat injury from summer-heat. Grows in valleys of Hongnong and shady mountain areas; roots penetrating deep into the soil are superior; those growing in saline-alkali land are toxic. Harvest roots in February and August.
Tao Hongjing said: It grows in nearby regions, is a vine, resembles *Tu Gua* (wild melon) but has forked leaves. The *Mao Shi* states: "The fruit of *Guo Luo* also spreads over the eaves." Its substance is now used mixed to make hand cream. Roots penetrating six or seven *chi* deep, with a diameter of two or three *wei*, are also used for ingestion. *Tang Ben Cao Zhu* notes: Currently, the root is made into powder, which is highly suitable for those taking mineral drugs (*Fu Shi Ren*) and those with deficiency-heat. The method of making powder is similar to making kudzu starch; it is white and beautiful. Those from Shanzhou are currently considered best, particularly the white and solid ones. Minister Yuxi et al. respectfully cite *Erya*: "The fruit of *Guo Luo* is called *Gualou*." The explanation states: "For the plant *Guo Luo*, its fruit is named *Gualou*." Guo Pu says: "People in Qi call it *Tian Gua* today." Rihua Zi says: *Gualou Zi* (Trichosanthes Seed) is bitter, cold, and non-toxic. It tonifies deficiency and fatigue, relieves dry mouth, moistens the lungs and heart, treats wrinkles on hands and face, hematemesis, intestinal wind diarrhea, bloody and dysenteric stools; all should be stir-fried before use. Additionally, *Gualou Gen* (Trichosanthes Root) unblocks the small intestine, expels pus, reduces swelling and toxicity, generates flesh, resolves blood stasis from trauma, treats manic heat and epidemic diseases, breast abscesses, back carbuncles, hemorrhoids, and skin sores.
*Tujing Bencao* states: *Gualou* grows in the valleys of Hongnong and shady mountains; it is found everywhere now. The fruit is called *Huang Gua*. This is what the *Shi Jing* refers to as the fruit of *Guo Luo*.
Root Also known as *Bai Yao*, with yellow skin and white flesh. Sprouts in March and April, climbing vines. Leaves resemble sweet melon leaves, forked with fine hairs. Flowers in July, resembling gourd flowers, pale yellow. Fruits grow beneath the flowers, fist-sized, green when fresh, turning reddish-yellow in September. Harvest roots in February and August, scrape off the skin, sun-dry for thirty days to complete. Fruits may be perfectly round or sharp and long; their efficacy is the same. Roots are best if old and deeply embedded; those from saline land are toxic. Respectfully noting that *Gualou* treats *Xiao Ke*, ancient formulas also use it singly. Sun Simiao's method for making powder: Dig up large roots, peel thickly to the white part, cut into inch-long pieces, soak in water, changing the water daily for five days. Take out, pound thoroughly, grind finely, place in a silk bag, clarify and filter until extremely fine like powder, remove water. Take one *cun bi* per dose, three to four times daily. Can also be made into porridge or eaten with milk/yogurt, both are suitable. For sudden onset of *Xiong Bi* pain, take one large fruit, slice it, combine with half a *sheng* of *Xie Bai* (Scallion Bulb), boil in seven *sheng* of white wine to yield two *sheng*, divide into two doses. Another formula: Add four *liang* of *Ban Xia* (Pinellia Rhizome), washed with hot water to remove slipperiness, boiled together for better effect. Furthermore, Tang dynasty Cui Yuanliang treated retained arrowheads by pounding the root and applying it to the wound, changing three times daily, allowing the arrowhead to emerge naturally. Also treated epidemic jaundice with mania, vexation, heat, and unconsciousness not recognizing people: Take one large yellow fruit, soak and wash in nine *he* of fresh well water to extract juice, add half a large *he* of honey and eight *fen* of *Piao Xiao* (Mirabilite), mix until dissolved, divide into two doses, and the illness will resolve.
Lei Gong said: For *Gualou*, the skin, seed, stem, and root have distinct effects. *Gua* and *Lou* look completely different. If it is *Gua*, it is round, with yellow skin and a small stalk. If it is *Lou*, it is elongated, with red skin and a thick stalk; this is for female consumption. When processing, remove the outer shell, leather-like membrane, and oil. For using the root, wait until it is two to three *wei* thick, peel, grind finely to make a decoction/juice, which can be consumed cold. In dietary therapy, the seed promotes lactation. Also treats carbuncles. *Gualou Gen* roasted dry in vinegar, ground and sifted, mixed with vinegar, spread on paper for application. Suitable for those taking mineral drugs. *Shenghui Fang*: For fever fluctuating with headache due to heat disease: Take one large *Gualou*, finely chop the pulp, place in a porcelain bowl, pour one *zhan* of hot water over it, cover for a long time, strain, and drink at once regardless of timing. Another formula: For facial paralysis (wind-stroke causing deviation of mouth and eyes): Extract juice from *Gualou*, mix with barley flour to make cakes, roast until hot, and apply as a compress. Stop when corrected, do not overdo. *Waitai Miyao*: For *Xiao Ke* (diabetes/wasting-thirst): Boil thirty *jin* of raw *Gualou* in one *shi* of water to yield one and a half *dou*, strain, add five *he* of beef tallow, and simmer until liquid is absorbed. Take a dose the size of a chicken egg with warm wine before meals, three times daily. Another formula: Mainly for thirst due to cold damage requiring drinking: Boil three *liang* of *Gualou Gen* in five *sheng* of water to yield one *sheng*, divide into two doses. Mix with one *sheng* of clear bamboo sap and two *sheng* of water, boil with two and a half *liang* of good silver, remove the silver. Give this silver-infused liquid to the patient first, then administer the *Gualou* decoction; the silver liquid must be taken cold. *Zhouhou Fang*: For sudden ear wind causing buzzing sounds: Shape *Gualou Gen* to fit the ear canal, fry in pig fat from the twelfth lunar month for three boils, remove, and insert into the ear. Use for three to seven days for cure. Another formula: For *Xiao Ke* with frequent urination: Slice *Gualou* thinly, roast to obtain five *liang*, boil in five *sheng* of water to yield four *sheng*, drink as desired. Another formula: For fractures/injuries: Apply pounded *Gualou Gen* to the area, wrap tightly with thick cloth; once heat dissipates, pain stops. Another formula: For deafness lasting two to three years: Finely chop thirty *jin* of *Gualou Gen*, boil in water, and brew wine as usual. Long-term consumption is very beneficial. Another formula: For prolapsed rectum that cannot be reduced after prolonged protrusion: Pound raw *Gualou* to extract juice, warm it in pork broth while washing hands/massaging to keep warm, gently push back until it enters naturally. Mei Shi Fang: For various carbuncles and back sores, early stage with slight redness on breasts: Pound *Gualou* into powder, mix with well water to form one *cun bi*, apply. Sheng Jin Fang: For Taiyang Cold Damage: Boil two *liang* of *Gualou Gen* in five *sheng* of water to yield one and a half *sheng*, divide into two doses; cure occurs when urination becomes smooth. Guang Li Fang: For sudden jaundice in infants with yellowing of face, eyes, and skin: Extract two *he* of juice from raw *Gualou Gen*, mix with one large spoonful of honey, warm and combine, divide into two doses. Ji Yan Fang: Promotes lactation: Wash and drain *Gualou Zi*, stir-fry until fragrant and ripe, bake on tiles until white, grind to powder. Take one *bi* mixed with wine, lie face down for a short time. Du Ren treats chest/diaphragm pain radiating to the back, epigastric fullness, qi obstruction, and phlegm cough: Remove pulp from large *Gualou*, take seeds, stir-fry separately, grind seeds and skins together, bind with wheat paste into pills the size of paulownia seeds, take fifteen pills with rice drink. *Shanghan Lei Yao*: For Pi Dan (spleen damp-heat) with dark scanty urine and fearfulness: *Gualou* is indicated. *Zimu Milu*: For breast swelling and pain: Take one large yellow mature *Gualou*, pound thoroughly, boil in ten *dou* of white wine to yield four *sheng*, strain, take one *sheng* warm, three times daily. If no large ones, use two small yellow ripe ones. Yang Shi Chan Ru: For hot wandering erythema with redness and swelling: Mix two large *liang* of *Gualou* powder with strong vinegar and apply. Another formula: For lack of milk: Burn *Gualou Gen* to ash, take one *cun bi* with rice drink. *Chan Bao*: For postpartum lack of milk: Take *Gualou* powder, mix with well water, one *cun bi*, twice daily; milk flows at night. Yang Wenwei treats phlegm cough and benefits chest/diaphragm: Cut open large plump *Gualou*, wash seeds cleanly, crush skin, slice thinly, bake dry. Take forty-nine *Ban Xia* (Pinellia Rhizomes), wash ten times with hot water, crush, bake dry, grind to powder. Cook the water used for washing *Gualou* along with the pulp into a paste, grind finely, make pills the size of paulownia seeds, take twenty pills with ginger decoction. Another formula: For unruptured carbuncles: Equal parts *Gualou Gen* and *Chi Xiao Dou* (Adzuki Bean), grind to powder, mix with vinegar for topical application.
*Yanyi* states: For *Gualou* fruit, harvest the pulp in September and October, mix with dried kudzu starch, bake dry. Stir-fry slowly in silver/copper vessels until cooked, grind to powder. After meals and before bed, mix one or two *qian* with boiling water and drink, treating lung dryness, heat-thirst, and constipation. Its root, along with *Beimu* (Fritillaria Bulb), *Zhimu* (Anemarrhena Rhizome), *Qinjiao* (Gentiana Macrophylla Root), and *Huang Qin* (Scutellaria Root), all treat equine fever.