Tiān Huā Fěn · Trichosanthes Root
Tiān Huā Fěn (天花粉, Trichosanthes Root) is a herb of Cool nature and Bitter, Sweet flavor, in the “Heat Clearing” category. Tradition uses it to clear heat and generate fluids, Reducir el fuego y destoxificar, Expel pus and reduce swelling.
Energetic profile
- Pinyin name
- Tiān Huā Fěn
- Characters
- 天花粉
- Botanical name
- Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim.
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
- Part used
- Root
- Nature
- Cool
- Flavor
- Bitter, Sweet
- Meridians
- Lung, Stomach
- Category
- Heat Clearing
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic
- Pregnancy
- Avoid
- Origin
- China, Japan
Actions according to tradition
- Clear heat and generate fluids
- Reducir el fuego y destoxificar
- Expel pus and reduce swelling
Traditional uses
- Intense thirst with high fever and dry throat (Qi level)
- Thirst and wasting disorder (Xiao Ke/diabetes)
- Lung abscess with cough productive of pus
- Carbuncles and boils with heat-toxin
- Constipation due to dry fluids
Studied effects and current applications
- Generates fluids to relieve intense thirst due to heat
- Reduces fever and cools the heat of the Lung and Stomach
- Expels pus from lung abscesses and carbuncles
- Propiedades hipoglucemiantes
- Anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor (modern research)
Applications under investigation
- Diabetes mellitus (Xiao Ke)
- Lung infections with abscess
- Fever in infectious diseases
- Cancer (trichosanthin research)
- Artritis reumatoide
An effect being investigated does not mean it has been proven in humans.
Contraindications and adverse effects
Absolute contraindications
- Pregnancy (absolute contraindication)
- Spleen deficiency with diarrhea due to cold
- cold pattern
Relative contraindications
- Hypotension
- Allergy to melon or pumpkin proteins (possible cross-reactivity)
- Pregnancy
- Absolutely CONTRAINDICATED in pregnancy. Trichosanthin can induce abortion (medical use as an abortifacient in China).
- Breastfeeding
- Avoid during breastfeeding.
- Children
- Safe for children in febrile infections with intense thirst. Reduce dose.
- Older adults
- Useful for elderly people with chronic thirst and fever. Caution with cold Spleen.
Possible adverse effects
- Diarrhea due to cold nature
- Allergic reactions (trichosanthin protein)
When to stop
- Confirmed pregnancy
- Diarrhea appears
- allergic reaction
Interactions with medications
| Group | Drugs | Severity | Effect and recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoglycemic agents | Insulin, Metformin, Glipizida | Moderate | Significant additive hypoglycemic effect Monitorizar glucemia de cerca. |
| Inmunosupresores | Ciclosporina, Tacrolimus | Mild | Trichosanthin may have immunological effects Use with medical supervision. |
Reference dose
- Decoction
- 9-15 g daily
- Powder
- 3-6 g daily
- Acute use
- 1-2 weeks for fever
- Chronic use
- 2-4 weeks for diabetes
- Maximum
- Prolonged use with supervision
- Children
- Safe for children with fever and infections with intense thirst.
Forms of preparation
Boil 9-15g in 3 cups of water for 30-40 min. Drink at room temperature for heat conditions.
Fever with thirst, abscesses, diabetes
Take 3-6g in cold or warm water.
Conveniencia
Approximate doses from the literature; they are not a prescription. Consult a professional.
Active compounds
Ribosome-inactivating protein (tricosanthin) and triterpenes
Ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) · Antiviral, abortifacient, fluid generator
28S rRNA (N-glycosidase) ribosome inactivation, protein synthesis inhibition · 0.1-0.5% in root
Heteropolysaccharides · Hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory
AMPK activation, insulin modulation · 10-25%
Pentacyclic triterpenes · Anti-inflammatory, abortifacient (trace)
NF-κB inhibition, uterine contraction stimulation · 0.1-0.3%
Triterpenes and sterols · Anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic
COX-2 inhibition, cholesterol modulation · 0.2-0.8%
Harvesting and processing
- Harvest
- Autumn-winter (October-February), roots of 2-3 years
Trichosanthes kirilowii roots harvested in autumn-winter. They are washed, peeled, cut into slices and dried. The powder (天花粉粉) is obtained by grinding.
Root peeled, sliced and dried, or finely powdered.
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
