（《本经》下品）
【释名】苦匏（《国语》）、苦壶卢。
【集解】《别录》曰∶苦瓠生晋地。
弘景曰∶今瓠忽有苦者，如胆不可食，非别生一种也。又有瓠 ，亦是瓠类。
恭曰∶《本经》所论，都是苦瓠 尔。陶谓瓠中苦者，大误矣。瓠中时有苦者，不入药
用，无所主疗，亦不堪啖。瓠与瓠 ，原种各别，非甘者变为苦也。
保升曰∶瓠即匏也。有甘、苦二种∶甘者大，苦者小。
机曰∶瓠壶有原种是甘，忽变为苦者。俗谓以鸡粪壅之，或牛马踏践则变为苦。陶说亦
有所见，未可尽非也。
时珍曰∶《诗》云∶匏有苦叶。《国语》云∶苦匏不材，于人共济而已。皆指苦壶而言，
即苦瓠也。瓠、壶同音，陶氏以瓠作护音释之，所以不稳也。应劭《风俗通》云∶烧穣可
以杀
瓠。或云畜瓠之家不烧穣，种瓜之家不焚漆。物性相畏也。苏恭言∶服苦瓠过分，吐利
不止者，以黍穣灰汁解之。盖取乎此。凡用苦瓠，须细理莹净无 翳者乃佳，不尔有毒。
瓤及子
【气味】苦，寒，有毒。
【主治】大水，面目四肢浮肿，下水，令人吐（《本经》）利石淋，吐呀嗽囊结，疰蛊痰
饮。又煮汁渍阴，疗小便不通（苏恭）。煎汁滴鼻中，出黄水，去伤冷鼻塞，黄胆（藏器）。
吐蛔虫（大明）。治痈疽恶疮，疥癣龋齿有虫 者。又可制汞（时珍）。
【附方】旧八，新十七。
急黄病∶苦瓠一枚，开孔，以水煮之，搅取汁，滴入鼻中。去黄水。（陈藏器）。
黄胆肿满∶苦壶卢瓤如大枣许，以童子小便二合，浸之一时，取两酸枣大，纳两鼻中，
深吸气，待黄水出良。又方∶用瓠瓤熬黄为末，每服半钱，日一服，十日愈。然有吐者当详
之。（《伤寒类要》）。
大水胀满，头面洪大∶用莹净好苦瓠白瓤，捻如豆粒，以面裹煮一沸，空心服七枚。至
午当出水一斗。二日水自出不止，大瘦乃瘥。二年内忌咸物。（《外台》）《圣惠》∶用苦壶
卢瓤一两，微炒为末，每日粥饮服一钱。
通身水肿∶苦瓠膜（炒）二两，苦葶苈五分，捣合丸小豆大。每服五丸，日三，水下止。
又用苦瓠膜五分，大枣七枚。捣丸。一服三丸，如人行十里许，又服三丸，水出更服一丸，
即止。（并《千金方》）。
石水腹肿∶四肢皆瘦削。用苦瓠膜（炒）一两，杏仁半两（炒去皮尖），为末，糊丸小
豆大。每饮下十丸，日三，水下止。（《圣济总录》）。
水蛊洪肿∶苦瓠瓤一枚，水二升，煮至一升，煎至可丸，如小豆大，每米饮下十丸。待
小便利，作小豆羹食。勿饮水。
小便不通，胀急者∶用苦瓠子三十枚（炒），蝼蛄三个（焙），为末，每冷水服一钱。（并
《圣济总录》）。
小儿闪癖∶取苦瓠未破者，煮令热，解开熨之。（陈藏器《本草》）。
风痰头痛∶苦瓠膜取汁，以苇管灌入鼻中，其气上冲脑门，须臾恶涎流下，其病立愈除
根，勿以昏运为疑。干者浸汁亦效，其子为末吹入亦效。年久头风皆愈。（《普济方》）。
鼻窒气塞∶苦壶卢子为末，醇酒浸之，夏一日，冬七日。日日少少点之。（《圣惠方》）。
眼目昏暗∶七月七日，取苦瓠白瓤绞汁一合，以酢二升，古钱七文，同以微火煎减半。
每日取沫纳 中，神效。（《千金》）。
肉血翳∶秋间取小柄壶卢，或小药壶卢，阴干，于紧小处锯断，内挖一小孔如眼孔大。
遇有此病，将眼皮上下用手挣开，将壶卢孔合定。初虽甚痛苦，然瘀肉、血翳皆渐下，不伤
睛也。（刘松石《经验方》）。
齿 口臭∶苦瓠子为末，蜜丸半枣大。每旦漱口了，含一丸，仍涂齿 上，涎出，吐去
妙。（《圣惠方》）。
风虫牙痛∶壶卢子半升。水五升，煎三升，含漱之。茎叶亦可。不过三度。（《圣惠方》）
恶疮癣癞，十年不瘥者∶苦瓠一枚，煮汁搽之，日三度。（《肘后方》）
九 有孔∶苦瓠四枚，大如盏者，各穿一孔如指大，汤煮十数沸，取一竹筒长一尺，一
头插瓠孔中，一头注疮孔上，冷则易之，用遍乃止。（《千金方》）。
痔疮肿痛∶苦壶卢、苦 菜煎汤，先熏后洗，乃贴熊胆、密陀僧、胆矾、片脑末，良。
（《摘玄方》）。
下部悬痈∶择人神不在日，空心用井华水调百药煎末一碗服之。微利后，却用秋壶卢（一
名苦不老，生在架上而苦者）切片置疮上，灸二七壮。肃端式病此连年，一灸遂愈。（《永类
钤方》）。
卒中蛊毒，或吐血，或下血，皆如烂肝者∶苦瓠一枚。水二升，煮一升服，立吐即愈。
又方∶用苦酒一升，煮令消，服之取吐，神验。（《肘后方》）。
死胎不下∶苦壶卢烧存性，研末。每服一钱，空心热酒下。（《海上名方》）。
耳出脓∶干瓠子一分，黄连半钱，为末。以绵先缴净，吹入半字，日二次。（《圣惠方》）。
鼻中息肉∶苦壶卢子、苦丁香等分，入麝香少许，为末。纸捻点之。（《圣惠方》）。
花
【主治】一切 疮，霜后收曝，研末敷之（时珍）。
蔓
【主治】麻疮，煎汤浴之即愈（时珍。出仇远《稗史》）。
【附方】新一。
小儿白秃∶瓠藤同裹盐，荷叶煎浓汁洗，三、五次愈。（《总录》）
（收录于《神农本草经》下品）
【集解】《名医别录》记载：苦瓠生长在晋地。
陶弘景说：现在的瓠瓜偶尔会有变苦的，味道像胆汁一样不可食用，这并不是单独生长的一种品种。还有一种瓠 ，也是瓠类植物。
苏恭说：《神农本草经》所论述的，都是苦瓠 这一种。陶弘景认为瓠中变苦的是另一种说法，这是很大的错误。瓠中偶尔有变苦的，不入药使用，没有主要的治疗功效，也不堪食用。瓠与瓠 是两种不同的原种植物，并不是甘甜的变成了苦的。
保升说：瓠就是匏。分为甘、苦两种：甘甜的大，苦涩的小。
寇宗奭说：瓠壶原本种植时是甘甜的，突然变成苦的。民间说是用鸡粪施肥，或者被牛马踩踏就会变成苦的。陶弘景的说法也有一定道理，不能全盘否定。
李时珍说：《诗经》中说：“匏有苦叶。”《国语》中说：“苦匏不材，于人共济而已。”都是指苦壶而言，也就是苦瓠。瓠和壶读音相同，陶氏将瓠解释为“护”音，所以不够稳妥。应劭在《风俗通》中说：烧稻秆可以杀死瓠。有人说养瓠的人家不烧稻秆，种瓜的人家不焚烧漆树。这是因为物性相互畏惧的缘故。苏恭说：服用苦瓠过量，导致呕吐腹泻不止的，可以用黍穣灰汁来解毒。大概就是这个道理。凡是使用苦瓠，必须选择纹理细致、晶莹洁净无斑点的才好，否则有毒。瓤及子
【主治】治疗大水肿，面目四肢浮肿，利水下行，使人呕吐（出自《神农本草经》）。治疗石淋，呕吐呃逆，囊结，注蛊痰饮。又用煮汁浸泡阴部，治疗小便不通（苏恭）。煎汁滴入鼻中，排出黄水，去除因受冷引起的鼻塞、黄疸（藏器）。吐出蛔虫（大明）。治疗痈疽恶疮，疥癣龋齿中有虫者。又可以制约汞毒（李时珍）。
【附方】旧方八首，新方十七首。
急黄病：苦瓠一枚，开孔，用水煮它，搅拌取汁，滴入鼻中。排出黄水。（陈藏器）。
黄疸肿满：苦壶卢瓤如大枣大小，用童子小便二合，浸泡一个时辰，取出两枚酸枣大小的量，纳入两个鼻孔中，深吸气，待黄水流出即好。另一方法：用瓠瓤炒黄研为末，每次服用半钱，每日一次，十日痊愈。如果有呕吐的情况应当仔细斟酌。（《伤寒类要》）。
大水胀满，头面洪大：选用晶莹洁净的好苦瓠白瓤，捻成豆粒大小，用面粉包裹煮一沸，空腹服用七枚。到中午应当排出一斗水。两天后水自然排出不止，身体消瘦后病愈。两年内忌食咸物。（《外台秘要》）《圣惠方》：用苦壶卢瓤一两，微炒研为末，每日用粥饮送服一钱。
全身水肿：苦瓠膜（炒）二两，苦葶苈五分，捣合制成小豆大小的丸药。每次服用五丸，每日三次，水排尽后停药。又用苦瓠膜五分，大枣七枚。捣制成丸。一次服用三丸，大约行走十里路后，再服用三丸，水出后再服用一丸，立即停止。（均出自《千金方》）。
石水腹肿：四肢都瘦削。用苦瓠膜（炒）一两，杏仁半两（炒去皮尖），研为末，糊制成小豆大小的丸药。每次用温水送下十丸，每日三次，水排尽后停药。（《圣济总录》）。
水蛊洪肿：苦瓠瓤一枚，水二升，煮至一升，煎至可制成丸药，如小豆大小，每次用米汤送下十丸。待小便通畅，吃小豆羹。不要喝水。
小便不通，胀急者：用苦瓠子三十枚（炒），蝼蛄三个（焙干），研为末，每次用冷水送服一钱。（均出自《圣济总录》）。
小儿闪癖：取未破的苦瓠，煮热，解开熨烫患处。（陈藏器《本草》）。
风痰头痛：取苦瓠膜汁，用苇管灌入鼻中，其气上冲脑门，须臾间恶涎流下，病立刻痊愈除根，不要因为头晕目眩而怀疑。干者浸汁也有效，将其子研为末吹入也有效。多年的头风病都能治愈。（《普济方》）。
鼻窒气塞：苦壶卢子研为末，用纯酒浸泡，夏天一天，冬天七天。每天少量点入。（《圣惠方》）。
眼目昏暗：七月七日，取苦瓠白瓤绞汁一合，用醋二升，古钱七文，一同用微火煎至减半。每天取上面的沫纳入眼中，神效。（《千金方》）。
肉血翳：秋天取小柄壶卢，或小药壶卢，阴干，在紧小处锯断，里面挖一个小孔如眼孔大小。遇到此病，用手将眼皮上下挣开，将壶卢孔对准贴合。起初虽然很痛苦，但瘀肉、血翳都会逐渐脱落，不伤眼睛。（刘松石《经验方》）。
齿 口臭：苦瓠子研为末，蜜制为半枣大小的丸药。每天早晨漱口后，含服一丸，仍涂在齿 上，唾液流出，吐掉即可。（《圣惠方》）。
风虫牙痛：壶卢子半升。水五升，煎至三升，含漱。茎叶也可以。不超过三次。（《圣惠方》）
恶疮癣癞，十年不愈者：苦瓠一枚，煮汁涂抹，每日三次。（《肘后方》）
九 有孔：苦瓠四枚，大如盏的，各穿一个如手指大的孔，开水煮十几沸，取一根长一尺的竹筒，一头插进瓠孔中，一头注在疮孔上，冷了则更换，用遍为止。（《千金方》）。
痔疮肿痛：苦壶卢、苦 菜煎汤，先熏后洗，然后贴上熊胆、密陀僧、胆矾、片脑的粉末，效果好。（《摘玄方》）。
下部悬痈：选择人神不在的日子，空腹用井华水调百药煎末一碗服用。轻微腹泻后，再用秋壶卢（一名苦不老，生在架上而苦的）切片放在疮上，灸十四壮。肃端式患此病连年，灸一次就痊愈了。（《永类钤方》）。
卒中蛊毒，或吐血，或下血，都像烂肝一样：苦瓠一枚。水二升，煮至一升服用，立即呕吐即愈。另一方法：用醋一升，煮令溶解，服用使其呕吐，神验。（《肘后方》）。
死胎不下：苦壶卢烧至存性，研为末。每次服用一钱，空腹用热酒送下。（《海上名方》）。
耳出脓：干瓠子一分，黄连半钱，研为末。先用棉签清理干净，吹入半字，每日两次。（《圣惠方》）。
鼻中息肉：苦壶卢子、苦丁香等分，加入少许麝香，研为末。用纸捻点之。（《圣惠方》）。
花
【主治】治疗一切 疮，霜后采收曝晒，研为末敷用（李时珍）。
(Recorded in the Lower Category of *Shennong Bencao Jing*)
**Names:** Ku Pao (Bitter Calabash, cited from *Guoyu*), Ku Hulu.
**Collected Explanations:** *Mingyi Bielu* states: Ku Hu grows in the Jin region.
Tao Hongjing says: Sometimes current calabashes become bitter, tasting like bile and inedible; this is not a distinct species growing separately. There is also a type of Hulu , which is also a variety of gourd.
Su Gong says: The discussions in *Shennong Bencao Jing* refer specifically to this type of Bitter Hulu . Tao's assertion that bitterness arises within ordinary gourds is a significant error. Occasionally bitter ones appear among gourds, but they are not used in medicine, have no primary therapeutic indications, and are unfit for consumption. Hulu and Hulu originate from different species; it is not that sweet varieties transform into bitter ones.
Bao Sheng says: Hulu is synonymous with Pao. There are two types: sweet and bitter. The sweet ones are large, and the bitter ones are small.
Kou Zongshi says: Hulu originally planted as sweet may suddenly turn bitter. Folklore claims that fertilizing with chicken manure or trampling by cattle and horses causes this transformation. Tao's observation has some merit and cannot be entirely dismissed.
Li Shizhen says: The *Book of Songs* states: "The Pao has bitter leaves." *Guoyu* states: "The bitter Pao is useless for vessels, serving only to help people cross water." Both refer to the bitter Hulu, i.e., Ku Hu. Since Hulu and Hu share the same pronunciation, Tao's interpretation of Hulu as having the sound of 'Hu' (protect) is unstable. Ying Shao in *Fengsu Tong* states: Burning rice straw can kill gourds. It is said that those who raise gourds do not burn rice straw, and those who grow melons do not burn lacquer trees. This is due to mutual repulsion of their natures. Su Gong notes: If excessive consumption of Ku Hu causes persistent vomiting and diarrhea, one can antidote it with juice from millet straw ash. This likely derives from such practices. When using Ku Hu, one must select pieces with fine texture, crystal clear, clean, and free of spots; otherwise, they are toxic. The pulp and seeds...
**Flavor and Properties:** Bitter, Cold, Toxic.
**Therapeutic Actions:** Treats severe edema, swelling of the face, eyes, and limbs; promotes urination to drain water; induces vomiting (*Shennong Bencao Jing*). Treats Shi Lin (Stone Strangury), vomiting and hiccups, Nang Jie (scrotal constriction), Zhu Gu Tan Yin (infectious phlegm-fluid retention). Boiled juice applied to soak the genitals treats urinary obstruction (Su Gong). Decoction instilled into the nose expels yellow fluid, treating nasal congestion due to cold injury and jaundice (Zang Qi). Expels roundworms (Da Ming). Treats carbuncles, ulcers, scabies, tinea, and dental caries with worms. Can also counteract mercury toxicity (Li Shizhen).
**Attached Prescriptions:** Eight old prescriptions, seventeen new prescriptions.
Acute Jaundice: One Ku Hu, make a hole, boil in water, stir and extract juice, drip into the nose. Expels yellow fluid. (Chen Cangqi).
Jaundice with Swelling and Fullness: A piece of Ku Hulu pulp the size of a large date, soaked in two he of child's urine for one shi (two hours), take an amount the size of two sour jujubes, insert into both nostrils, inhale deeply until yellow fluid flows out, which is good. Another method: Roast Hulu pulp until yellow, grind into powder, take half qian each time, once daily, cured in ten days. However, if vomiting occurs, exercise caution. (*Shanghan Leiyao*).
Severe Edema and Fullness, Swollen Head and Face: Use clean, high-quality white pulp of Ku Hu, roll into bean-sized pellets, wrap in flour, boil for one boiling point, take seven pellets on an empty stomach. By noon, one dou of water should be discharged. Water will continue to discharge naturally for two days; the patient becomes emaciated and recovers. Avoid salty foods for two years. (*Waitai Miyao*) *Shenghui Fang*: Use one liang of Ku Hulu pulp, lightly stir-fried and powdered, take one qian daily with gruel drink.
Generalized Edema: Two liang of Ku Hu membrane (stir-fried), five fen of Ku Ting Li, pounded together and made into pills the size of adzuki beans. Take five pills each time, three times daily, stop when water discharge ceases. Alternatively, use five fen of Ku Hu membrane and seven large jujubes. Pound into pills. Take three pills at first; after walking about ten li, take another three pills; after water discharge, take one more pill, then stop. (Both from *Qianjin Fang*).
Shi Shui Abdominal Swelling: Limbs are emaciated. Use one liang of Ku Hu membrane (stir-fried), half liang of Xing Ren (stir-fried, skin and tips removed), grind into powder, bind with paste to make pills the size of adzuki beans. Take ten pills with warm water each time, three times daily, stop when water discharge ceases. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Shui Gu Severe Swelling: One Ku Hu pulp, two sheng of water, boil down to one sheng, simmer until moldable into pills the size of adzuki beans. Take ten pills with rice drink each time. Once urination becomes smooth, eat adzuki bean soup. Do not drink water.
Urinary Obstruction with Distension and Urgency: Thirty Ku Hu seeds (stir-fried), three Lou Gu (dried), grind into powder. Take one qian with cold water each time. (Both from *Shengji Zonglu*).
Pediatric Shan Pi: Take an unbroken Ku Hu, boil until hot, unwrap and apply as a compress. (Chen Cangqi *Bencao*).
Wind-Phlegm Headache: Extract juice from Ku Hu membrane, instill into the nose using a reed tube. The qi rushes upward to the forehead; after a moment, foul saliva flows down, and the illness is immediately cured and eradicated. Do not doubt due to dizziness. Soaked juice from dried material is also effective; blowing powder of its seeds is also effective. Chronic head wind diseases are all cured. (*Puji Fang*).
Nasal Obstruction and Congestion: Powder of Ku Hulu seeds, soaked in pure wine, for one day in summer, seven days in winter. Instill a little daily. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Dim Vision: On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, extract one he of juice from the white pulp of Ku Hu, mix with two sheng of vinegar and seven ancient coins, simmer over low heat until reduced by half. Each day, take the foam and instill into the eyes; miraculous effect. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Flesh and Blood Pterygium: In autumn, take small-handled Hulu or small medicinal Hulu, dry in shade, saw off at the narrow part, dig a small hole inside the size of an eye pupil. When this disease occurs, pull eyelids open with hands, fit the Hulu hole over the eye. Although initially painful, flesh growth and blood pterygium gradually fall off without damaging the eyeball. (Liu Songshi *Jingyan Fang*).
Dental [Ulcer] and Bad Breath: Powder of Ku Hu seeds, honey-pilulated to the size of half a date. Every morning after rinsing mouth, hold one pill, still apply to the [gum], saliva flows out, spit it out; excellent. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Wind-Worm Toothache: Half sheng of Hulu seeds. Five sheng of water, decoct to three sheng, gargle. Stems and leaves are also usable. Not exceeding three times. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Malignant Ulcers, Tinea, Leprosy, Untreated for Ten Years: One Ku Hu, decoct juice and apply, three times daily. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Nine Holes: Four Ku Hu, large as a cup, each pierce a hole the size of a finger, boil in water for over ten boils. Take a bamboo tube one chi long, insert one end into the Hulu hole, place the other end over the wound hole; replace when cool, use until finished. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Hemorrhoid Swelling and Pain: Decoct Ku Hulu and Ku Cai vegetable, fumigate first then wash, then apply powders of Bear Gallbladder, Lead Monoxide, Chalcanthite, and Borneol; good effect. (*Zhaixuan Fang*).
Lower Body Hanging Carbuncle: Choose a day when the Divine Spirit is absent, take one bowl of powder of Baiyao Jian mixed with well-water on an empty stomach. After mild purgation, slice Qiu Hulu (also called Ku Bulao, bitter ones growing on trellises) and place slices on the wound, moxibustion for fourteen cones. Su Duanshi suffered from this for years, cured after one moxibustion session. (*Yonglei Qianfang*).
Sudden Poisoning by Gu Toxin, or Hematemesis or Hematochezia, resembling rotten liver: One Ku Hu. Two sheng of water, decoct to one sheng, take orally; immediate vomiting leads to cure. Another method: One sheng of vinegar, decoct until dissolved, take to induce vomiting; miraculous. (*Zhouhou Beiji Fang*)
Retained Dead Fetus: Ku Hulu charred to retain nature, ground into powder. Take one qian each time, taken with hot wine on an empty stomach. (*Haishang Mingfang*)
Ear Discharge of Pus: One fen of dried Hulu seeds, half qian of Huang Lian, ground into powder. Cleanse thoroughly with cotton first, blow in half zi, twice daily. (*Shenghui Fang*)
Nasal Polyps: Equal parts Ku Hulu seeds and Ku Dingxiang, add a little She Xiang, grind into powder. Instill using paper twist. (*Shenghui Fang*)
**Flowers**
**Therapeutic Actions:** Treats all [skin] sores; harvest after frost and sun-dry, grind into powder and apply (Li Shizhen).
**Vines**
**Therapeutic Actions:** Varicella/Smallpox sores; decoct for bathing, immediately cured (Li Shizhen. From Qiu Yuan *Baishi*).
**Attached Prescription:** One new prescription.
Pediatric White Baldness: Wrap Hulu vine with salt, wash with strong decoction of lotus leaves; cured in three to five times. (*Zonglu*)