A One-Day Picking Tour in Zhengfang Township

Snake gourd, also known as trichosanthes kirilowii, is a perennial herbaceous vine of the Cucurbitaceae family. It grows in humid mountain valleys, dense forests and hillside shrubs at altitudes ranging from 100 to 1,800 meters, absorbing the vital essence of mountains and rivers. It is a precious traditional Chinese medicinal herb.

According to classic TCM literature including Compendium of Materia Medica, Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine, its peel, seeds and roots can all be used as medicine. It can moisten the lungs to resolve phlegm, clear internal heat to relieve coughs, soothe the chest and dispel stagnation, reduce swelling and detoxify, as well as lubricate the intestines to ease defecation.

Compendium of Materia Medica records that stir-fried trichosanthes seeds tonify deficiency-induced fatigue and dry mouth, nourish the heart and lungs, and treat wrinkles on hands and faces. Modern research and authoritative tests prove that trichosanthes seeds contain unsaturated fatty acids, protein and other nutrients.