INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: GUA DI - 瓜蒂 - PEDICELLUS MELO

Pharmaceutical Latin: Pedicellus Melo
Pedicellus Cucumeris
Common English: Melon Stalk
Melon Pedicle

CATEGORY

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Relieve Coughing and Wheezing (Anti-Asthmatics)

Herbs that Induce Vomiting (Emetics)

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Bitter
Cold
Slightly Toxic
(Toxic)
Stomach
1.5-6g
Pills: 0.3-1g

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Induces vomiting to relieve Phlegm-Heat or retained food

Accumulation above the diaphragm when vomiting is the preferred treatment, including Phlegm-Heat that is constrained in the chest with seizures, mania, throat Bi, wheezing, irritability and/or insomnia

Retained food in the Stomach with distention and chest and epigastric pain (may be used alone)

Dispels Damp-Heat and relieves jaundice

Damp-Heat jaundice when Dampness predominates

Intranasally, it treats recalcitrant jaundice of the face and eyes with headache and nasal congestion due to Dampness constrained in the head

*CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated during pregnancy and postpartum.
  • Contraindicated for those who are debilitated.
  • Contraindicated for those with hematemesis or hemoptysis.
  • Do not use if there is no Excess or Heat from Excess.
  • Contraindicated for those with Deficiency bleeding.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Sm Phaseoli
Chi Xiao Dou

Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian
Borneolum
Bing Pian

Rock Brown Sugar

Induces vomiting to treat Phlegm or retained food above the diaphragm

Very early stages of food poisoning

Hot Phlegm

Chronic rhinitis

Strengthens emesis

NOTES

  1. This herb is specifically for inducing vomiting, inciting salivation and forcing tears to provide a route for external release of a pathogenic influence.
  2. This herb can be used alone for Food Stagnation.
  3. In his prior edition, Bensky lists this herb in the "Herbs that Expel Phlegm by Inducing Vomiting" category.
  4. If continuous vomiting occurs, use 0.1-0.15g Moschus She Xiang as an antidote.