Dōng Guā Zǐ (冬瓜子), known in English as Wax gourd seed (Benincasa hispida (seed)), is a cool, sweet Chinese herb from the Drain damp category. It enters the Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels. Its main action: clears Lung, transforms Phlegm.
| Pinyin | Dōng Guā Zǐ (Dong Gua Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 冬瓜子 |
| English | Wax gourd seed |
| Botanical name | Benincasa hispida (seed) |
| Category | Drain damp |
| Nature | Cool |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine |
| Dosage | 10–15g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with loose stools |
Actions
- Clears Lung, transforms Phlegm
- Reduces abscesses, expels pus
- Drains Damp
Indications
- Cough from Lung Heat
- Lung abscess and intestinal abscess
- Turbid urine and vaginal discharge
- Oedema
How to remember Dōng Guā Zǐ
Drain damp herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Bladder channel.
- You can work these out
- Cool, Sweet: like most Drain damp herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Clears Lung”
- Learn by heart
- Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Drain damp herbs
- Fú Líng
- Yì Yǐ Rén
- Zé Xiè
- Mù Tōng
- Huá Shí
- Chē Qián Zǐ
- Qú Mài
- Bì Xiè
- Yīn Chén Hāo
- Jīn Qián Cǎo
- Hǎi Jīn Shā
- Zhū Líng
- Dēng Xīn Cǎo
- Tōng Cǎo
- Biǎn Xù
- Shí Wéi
- Dōng Kuí Zǐ
- Dì Fū Zǐ
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Dōng Guā Zǐ?
Dōng Guā Zǐ is cool and sweet.
Which channels does Dōng Guā Zǐ enter?
Dōng Guā Zǐ enters the Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Dōng Guā Zǐ?
Clears Lung, transforms Phlegm; Reduces abscesses, expels pus; Drains Damp.
What is Dōng Guā Zǐ used for?
Cough from Lung Heat; Lung abscess and intestinal abscess; turbid urine and vaginal discharge; oedema.
Practise Dōng Guā Zǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.