Pinyin: Mubiezi
Aliases
Mu Xie, Ke Mu Bie, Lou Ling Zi.
Source
Cucurbitaceae plant *Momordica cochinchinensis*.Momordica cochinchinensisDried mature seeds of (Lour.) Spreng.
Botanical Description
A perennial robust large vine, reaching up to 15 m in length, with buttress roots. The entire plant is nearly glabrous or slightly pubescent. Tendrils are relatively stout, smooth, glabrous, and unbranched. Petioles are stout, 5-10 cm long, initially covered with yellowish-brown pubescence, later nearly glabrous, with 2-4 glands at the base and middle; leaf blades are ovate-cordate or broadly ovate-orbicular, relatively firm, 10-20 cm long and wide, palmately 3-5-lobed to deeply lobed or unlobed. Dioecious; male flowers solitary in leaf axils or occasionally 3-4 on very short racemose inflorescence axes, pedicels stout, nearly glabrous, when solitary, pedicels 6-12 cm long, with 1 large bract at the apex, bracts sessile, saccate, reniform-orbicular, pubescent on both sides, calyx tube funnelform, lobes broadly lanceolate or oblong, corolla yellow, lobes ovate-oblong, densely villous, with tooth-like yellow glands at the base, the 2 outer lobes slightly larger, the 3 inner lobes smaller with black spots at the base, stamens 3, 2 with 2-locular anthers and 1 with 1-locular anther; female flowers solitary in leaf axils, pedicels 5-10 cm long, with 1 bract near the middle, bracts saccate, 2 mm long and wide, corolla and calyx similar to male flowers, ovary ovoid-oblong, about 1 cm long, densely covered with spinous hairs. Fruit ovoid-globose, with a short beak at the apex, base nearly rounded, up to 12-15 cm long, red when mature, fleshy, densely covered with spinous projections 3-4 mm long, seeds numerous, ovoid or quadrangular, dark brown when dry, 26-35 mm long, 20-38 mm wide, 5-6 mm thick, margins toothed, both sides slightly arched, with sculpturing. Flowering period June to August, fruiting period August to October.
Habitat and Distribution
Often grows in mountain valleys, forest edges, and roadsides at elevations of 450-1100 m. Distributed in Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Xizang.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest mature fruits in winter, split open, sun-dry until half-dry, remove the pulp, extract the seeds, and dry.
Medicinal Properties
This product is flat and disc-shaped, slightly raised or depressed in the center, 2-4 cm in diameter, and approximately 0.5 cm thick. The surface is grayish-brown to dark brown with reticulate patterns, and a light yellow hilum is present on the larger tooth-like protrusion at the edge. The outer seed coat is hard and brittle, while the inner seed coat is grayish-green and velvety. Cotyledons are 2, yellowish-white, and rich in oil. It has a distinctive greasy odor and a bitter taste.
Chemical Constituents
This product contains momordin I and momordin II.αContains spinasterol, momordicin, momordin, momordic acid, momorcharin, oleanolic acid, and other constituents.
Pharmacology
Has cytotoxic effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, slightly sweet, and cool; toxic. Enters the Liver, Spleen, and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Dissipates masses and reduces swelling, attacks toxicity and treats sores
Dosage and Administration
Internal use: decoct 0
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in pregnant women and patients with debilitation.
Prescriptions
1. For hemorrhoids: Jingjie (Schizonepeta), Mubiezi (Semen Momordicae), and Puxiao (Mirabilitum) in equal parts. Decoct the ingredients in water, pour into a bottle, fumigate the affected area, then wash with the warm decoction. (From *Puji Fang*) 2. For painful scrotal hernia with severe pain: Grind one Mubiezi (Semen Momordicae) with vinegar, mix with Huangbai (Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex) and Furong (Hibiscus) powder, and apply externally. (From *Shouyu Shenfang*) 3. For various tinea infections: Chuanjinpi (Cortex Hibisci), Jiancao (Sanguisorba), and Mubiezi (Semen Momordicae) in equal parts. Grind into a fine powder, mix with vinegar, and apply to the lesion for immediate relief. (From *Zhi Zhi Fang*) 4. For malaria with splenomegaly: Mubiezi (Semen Momordicae) and Chuanshanjia (Manis Squama, stir-fried) in equal parts. Grind into powder, take 9 g per dose on an empty stomach with warm wine. (From *Yi Fang Zhai Yao*) 5. For wind-type toothache: Remove the shell of Mubiezi (Semen Momordicae), grind into a thin paste, and apply to the affected area. (From *Puji Fang*)
