Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Trichosanthes
Species: kirilowii
Common names: Snakegourd, Chinese Cucumber, Karo, To-Karasu-Uri, Kua Lou, T'Ien Kua
Part Used: Whole plant, fruit, root

Quoted References

2. "Snakegourd helps stimulate the production of body fluids thus relieving dryness. It can disperse phlegm, remove pus, expel toxic matter and is anti-inflammatory. Snakegourd can act as a natural antibiotic, expectorant, laxative, and can be used for abscesses boils bronchitis, constipation, jaundice and hemorrhoids. It helps with breast and lung tumors, and can promote lactation. It has been shown to be excellent for diabetes. Perhaps the most interesting news is that the new "AIDS" drug "Compound Q" is a refined protein called trichonanthine which is derived from the trichosanthes (snakegourd) family. It has been shown that the protein has the ability to kill an "HIV" infected cell without affecting surrounding tissue."

9. "Botanical name: Trichosanthes kirilowii.
Pharmaceutical name: Semen Trichosanthis
Properties: sweet, cold.
Channels entered: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine
Functions and clinical use: Clears and transforms Hot Phlegm: used for Hot Phlegm cough. It both cools and moistens, and is especially useful for cough with chest pain and thick, difficult-to-expectorate sputum. Unbinds the Qi in the chest: used for accumulations or Phlegm in chest leading to pain, a sense of distension or constriction, or diaphragmatic pressure. Moistens the Intestines: used for dry constipation, especially when it appears within a pattern of Lung Heat with dry mouth, thirst, and irritabilty. Promotes healing of sores: used adjunctively for Breast Abscesses and swellings as well as sores that have not yet suppurated.
Cautions and contraindications: Contraindicated in diarrhea due to Cold from Deficient Spleen or Stomach."

21. "CUCURBITACEAE
Gourd Family
The Gourd Family comprises about 90 genera and some 700 species, mostly coarse climbing annual and perennial herbs of tropical and subtropical regions around the world, extending even into the temperate zones. The fruit is usually a fleshy berry, often called a pepo, and many cultivated varieties have been important as foods. A number of tropical species are believed to be toxic. The family is classified into two quite distinct sections on the basis of morphology of the tendrils and seeds; and nine tribes primarily of floral characters and pollen types. Some of the larger, hard-shelled fruits provide gourds (Lagenaria, Trichosanthes). Species with edible fruits, such as pumpkins, squashes (Cucurbita) and melons (Cucumis) have been cultivated for millennia and have developed many strains or "varieties." There are several medicinally valuable species, and some are considered in primitive societies to be poisonous or to have value as medicines.
Alkaloids have been reported in the family which, however, is noted for a class of compounds called the cucurbitacins. Saponins, sterols, phenolics are also known. The chemistry of the cucurbitacins has been reviewed (Guha, 1975); these and other tetracyclic triterpenes are growth-regulating substances (Shrotria, 1976).

ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE USES
China	Abscess, Alexiteric, Antitussive, Anxiety, Astringent, Boil, Bronchitis, Cancer, Cancer(Breast), Chest, Congestion, Constipation, Diabetes, Dysuria, Emollient, Expectorant, Fever, Hyperglycemia, Icterus, Inflammation, Jaundice, Laryngitis, Mastitis, Mumps, Sialogogueue, Skin, Suppurative, Swelling, Thirst, Tonic
Japan	Lactogogue , Thirst
Malaya	Tonic

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