Pinyin: Sigualuo
Aliases
Tianluojin, Sigua Wang, Sigua Rang, Sigua Bu.
Source
1. Cucurbitaceae plant Luffa (Luofagua)Luffa cylindricaDried mature fruit vascular bundle of (L.) Roem.
Botanical Description
Annual climbing herb. Stems and branches rough, with angular grooves and fine pubescence. Stem tendrils robust, usually 2-4. Leaves alternate; petiole rough, 10-12 cm long, nearly glabrous; leaf blade triangular or nearly rounded, 10-20 cm in both length and width, usually palmately 5-7-lobed, lobes triangular, the middle one longer, 8-12 cm long, apex acute, margin serrate, base deeply cordate, upper surface dark green with warty protrusions, lower surface pale green with short pubescence, veins palmate with white long hairs. Flowers unisexual, monoecious; male flowers usually 10-20 at the apex of a raceme, inflorescence peduncle robust, 12-14 cm long, pedicel 2 cm long; calyx tube campanulate, covered with short pubescence; corolla yellow, rotate, 5-9 cm in diameter when open, lobes 5, oblong, 0.8-1.3 cm long, 0.4-0.7 cm wide, inner surface with yellowish-white long hairs, outer surface with 3-5 prominent veins; female flowers solitary, pedicel 2-10 cm long; perianth same as male flowers, staminodes 3, ovary long-cylindrical, pubescent, stigmas 3, enlarged. Fruit cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, 15-30 cm long, 5-8 cm in diameter, surface smooth, usually with dark longitudinal stripes, fleshy when immature, drying at maturity, interior with reticulate fibers, dehiscent from the apex by a lid. Seeds numerous, black, ovate, flat, smooth, with narrow wing-like margins. Flowering and fruiting period: summer to autumn.
Habitat and Distribution
It is widely cultivated throughout northern and southern regions of China.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn when the fruit is ripe, the peel turns yellow, and the interior becomes dry, remove the outer peel and pulp, wash clean, sun-dry, and remove the seeds.
Medicinal Properties
This product is composed of interwoven filamentous vascular bundles, mostly long fusiform or long cylindrical in shape, slightly curved, 30-70 cm long, with a diameter of 7-10 cm. The surface is pale yellow-white. The body is light, texture tough and elastic, not easy to break. On cross-section, the ovary can be seen with 3 chambers, appearing hollow. Odor: faint; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains cellulose, mannan, xylan, lignin, and other components.
Pharmacology
Analgesic; anti-inflammatory; sedative.
Properties and Channel Entry
Sweet, neutral. Enters the Lung, Stomach, and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Expels Wind, unblocks the collaterals, invigorates Blood, and promotes lactation
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decocted in water, 5-15 g; or calcined and ground into powder, 1
Prescriptions
1. For chest and rib pain: Luffa vascular bundle (Sigualuo) 9 g, Red Peony Root (Chishao) 9 g, White Peony Root (Baishao) 9 g, Corydalis Rhizome (Yanhusuo) 9 g, Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi) 6 g, decoct in water and take orally. (From *Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine*) 2. For chest obstruction and heart pain: Luffa vascular bundle (Sigualuo) 15 g, Tangerine Pith (Juluo) 3 g, Salvia Root (Danshen) 10 g, Chinese Chive (Xiebai) 12 g, decoct in water and take orally. (From *Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica*, 1979) 3. For cough with excessive phlegm and chest and rib pain: Charred mature Luffa vascular bundle (Sigualuo), grind into fine powder. Mix with white sugar and take 2 g each time, 2-3 times daily, with warm boiled water. (From *Food Herbs and Simple Prescriptions*) 4. For rheumatic joint pain: Luffa vascular bundle (Sigualuo) 15 g, Honeysuckle Stem (Rendongteng) 24 g, Clematis Root (Weilingxian) 12 g, Spatholobus Stem (Jixueteng) 15 g, decoct in water and take orally. (From *Shandong Chinese Herbal Medicine Handbook*) 5. For arm pain: Luffa vascular bundle (Sigualuo) 10 g, Gentian Root (Qinjiao) 6 g, Notopterygium Rhizome (Qianghuo) 3 g, Safflower (Honghua) 4.5 g, decoct in water and take orally. (From *Selected Prescriptions for Common Diseases*, Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences)
