Dong Gua Zi (Ren)冬瓜子
Semen BenincasaeWinter Melon Seed
Also known asWax Gourd Seed · Benincasa
- Category
- Herbs that drain Dampness
- Nature
- cold
- Taste
- sweet
- Channels entered
- Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine
- Secondary channels
- Spleen
- Dosage
- 3–20 g
Usual doses
- Dosage
- 3–20 g
- Dosage
- 30 g
- Tincture
- 2–4 ml
Actions & indications
- Clears Heat, expels Phlegm, expels pus and moistens the Lungs
- Lung Heat with expectoration of thick, yellow sputum
- Intestinal Heat
- Damp-Heat with Phlegm Obstruction in the Upper or Lower Jiao as in Intestinal abscess
- Clears Heat and drains Dampness
- Damp-Heat vaginal discharge
Contraindications
- Use with caution for edema caused by malnutrition.
- Use with caution for Damp-Cold or loose stools.
Combinations
Phlegm-Heat causing Lung abscess.
Heat toxin obstructing the Lungs, causing Lung abscess.
Intestinal abscess.
- Huang Bai
- Bei Xie
Vaginal discharge due to Damp-Heat.
Damp Obstruction with scanty urine and edema; Lung or Large Intestinal abscess that has already formed pus (large doses).
Lung abscess with pus already formed, for a stronger effect (large doses).
Intestinal abscess, for a stronger effect (large doses).
Pus or blood in the stool accompanied by a sensation of incomplete evacuation.
Lung abscess with foul-smelling sputum.
Bronchitis presenting with cough, yellow sputum and sore throat.
Bronchitis with a dry cough, possibly with blood-streaked sputum.
Edema.
Edema of the lower body with burning sensations and swelling.
Summertime Damp-Heat.
Dysuria.
Notes
- Exocarpium Benincasae Dong Gua Pi, sweet, bland and cool, enters the Lung and Small Intestine channels; it promotes urination, clears Heat and reduces edema, and is used for edema caused by Summerheat or general Heat, at a dosage of 15-30g.
- This herb appears in formulas addressing Lower Jiao inflammation such as infections, cysts and tumors.
- It comes from a melon related to watermelon, and its seeds share similar properties.
- It is also credited with tonifying the Liver, benefiting the vision, and nourishing the skin to give it a glossy, moist, improved complexion, whether taken internally or applied topically as a paste.
- The flesh is said to aid weight loss.
- According to one source, it treats Heat in the Heart channel, dribbling urination, rosacea, abdominal Stagnation, and ulceration accompanied by pus and Blood.
- It is a key herb for clearing pathogenic factors from the abdomen.
- Taken cold, it reduces body weight.
- Studies have shown it inhibits cancer cell growth.
- It is reportedly effective for periappendicular abscess.
- It is also said to tonify the Liver.
- Dong Gua Zi and Sm. Coicis Yi Yi Ren both clear Heat and expel pus, though Yi Yi Ren is particularly strong at strengthening the Spleen and removing Dampness, making it suited to diarrhea, Bi Syndrome or Damp-related edema. Dong Gua Zi, being slippery, instead facilitates movement through the Large Intestine and suits Damp-Heat accumulation there that has caused constipation or irregular bowel movements with tenesmus.
- Dry-fried Winter Melon Seeds, Chao Dong Gua Zi, drain less strongly and add a Stomach-harmonizing action, making them suitable when Spleen weakness and Dampness produce Turbid-Dampness in the Lower Jiao with vaginal discharge.
- Honey-prepared Winter Melon Seeds, Mi Zhi Dong Gua Zi, are more effective at clearing the Lungs and transforming Phlegm, and are best suited to wheezing and cough with thick, yellow Phlegm from Lung Heat.
- Winter Melon Flesh, Dong Gua Rou, is both a food and a medicine used for diabetes and for irritability with stifling Summerheat, its juice often prescribed for the latter; the flesh cools Heat, relieves thirst, promotes water movement and reduces swelling, and is commonly used when Summerheat causes scanty, dark urine with unrelenting thirst.