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Cura x Cura

Dong Gua Zi冬瓜子

Benincasae Semen · Winter Melon Seed · Wax Gourd Seed

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing 化痰止咳平喘药Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing 《神农本草经》(recorded as 白瓜子)

Overview

The flat seed of the winter melon — sweet, cool and mildly slippery, it cools the Lung, thins thick phlegm and pushes pus out of an abscess rather than merely cooling the heat around it. Its best-known place is in the Wei Jing Tang 苇茎汤 group for Lung and intestinal abscess. Two processed forms are dispensed alongside the raw seed: dry-fried Dong Gua Zi and honey-prepared Dong Gua Zi.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Cool

Channels

Lung · Large Intestine

Typical Dosage

10–15 g
冬瓜子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Clears the Lung, transforms phlegmCough with thick yellow or foul sputum, chest heat and a dry throat behind it.
  • Expels pus, disperses abscessLung abscess and intestinal abscess — with Yi Yi Ren 薏苡仁 and Tao Ren 桃仁; also used where nasal or sinus discharge has turned thick and purulent.
  • Drains damp, checks dischargeDamp-heat vaginal discharge and turbid, cloudy urine.
  • Dry-fried and honey-prepared formsDry-frying takes the cold edge off the seed so a weak digestion tolerates it, while keeping most of the pus-expelling action; honey-preparing adds a moistening, Lung-softening quality that suits a dry lingering cough. The raw seed stays the choice whenever heat and pus dominate the picture.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Dong Gua Zi

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Cough with thick or purulent sputum, Lung abscess
    - Intestinal abscess with lower abdominal tenderness
    - Damp-heat leucorrhea and turbid urine
    - Thick chronic sinus discharge

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

BronchitisLung abscessSinusitisAppendicitisVaginal discharge

Contraindications

Cautions

Cool and slightly slippery — give it carefully where the Spleen is weak with chronic loose stools or the middle burner is cold. Crack or crush the seed before decocting; whole seed gives up very little.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.