Si Gua Luo - 絲瓜絡 - Fructus Luffae Retinervus - Luffa
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Fructus Luffae Retinervus |
| Common English: | Dried Skeleton of the Vegetable Sponge Loofah Luffa Spongegourd |
Category
Herbs that Clear Heat and Purge Fire: Herbs that Clear Heat and Drain DampnessProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Sweet | Neutral (Slightly Cold) (Cold) | Lung Stomach Liver | 6-15g Tincture: 2-4ml |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Resolves toxicity and reduces swelling | Abscesses and other toxic sores. Often used for breast abscesses, breast distention, lumps and insufficient lactation |
Unblocks the channels and collaterals and dispels Wind | Wind-Damp Bi, soreness in the chest and flanks, pain and soreness in the muscles and sinews and stiffness in the joints, especially when Phlegm is part of the pattern Traumatic injury |
Unblocks the channels and collaterals in the breast | Breast distention and tenderness Insufficient lactation or obstructed lactation |
Expels Phlegm | Cough due to Lung Heat with high fever, chest pain, and difficult-to -expectorate sputum (for both adults and children) |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
Major Combinations
| Hb. Taraxaci | Fr. Liquidamberis | Per. Citri Reticulatae Viride |
Increases Si Gua Luo's ability to resolve toxicity. | Breast abscess. Insufficient lactation. | Breast distention and lumps. |
| Rx. Clematidis | Per. Trichosanthis Or Per. Trichosanthis | Bul. Allii Macrostemi Or Fr. Trichosanthis |
Pain and swelling of the joints due to Wind-Dampness. | Pain due to Blood Stasis and Qi Stagnation. | Painful obstruction due to turbid Phlegm. |
| Flos Carthami | Cx. Mori | Cx. Mori |
Trauma-induced pain of the chest and flanks. | Cough due to Lung Heat with Phlegm. | Cough due to Lung Heat with Phlegm with exterior signs and symptoms. |
Flos Lonicerae | Ram. Mori | Rx. Codonopsis |
Breast abscess. (with calcined Si Gua Luo) | Bi syndrome. | Insufficient lactation due to Qi Deficiency. |
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata | Rx. Bupleuri | Hb. Taraxaci |
Insufficient lactation due to Blood Deficiency. | Breast distention and pain due to Liver Qi Stagnation. | Swelling with a burning sensation of the breast. |
Rx. Peucedani | Sm. Armeniacae | |
Cough with sputum accompanying Exterior conditions. | Cough due to Cold. |
Notes
- Its structure is similar to the channels and collaterals of the human body.
- According to some sources, it cools and invigorates the Blood.
- For breast abscess, it can be used alone, mixed with sesame oil and applied topically.
- Charred Luffa, Si Gua Luo Tan, is slightly astringent and strongly harmonizes the Blood and stops bleeding. It can be used for hemafecia from Intestinal Wind, hematuria, enteritis, cancerous swellings, hemorrhoids and continuous uterine bleeding. It is frequently used for breast distention and insufficient lactation from Stagnation of Qi and Blood; for this purpose, take 3-6g as a powder with wine. It can also be powdered and applied topically to cracked nipples.
- Si Gua Luo and Caulis Spatholobi Ji Xue Teng are both harmonious and sweet, invigorate the collaterals and expel Wind. Ji Xue Teng is slightly warm and enters the Blood to enrich it and invigorate the Blood within the collaterals. Si Guo Luo promotes the smooth flow of Qi and Blood and transforms Phlegm within the collaterals.
- Dry-fried Luffa, Chao Si Gua Luo, is neutral and is stronger at invigorating the Blood, unblocking the channels and stopping pain. It is commonly used for traumatic injury, amenorrhea from Blood Stasis, and obstruction that causes insufficient lactation.