In the Qingguan Formula (清冠方), Trichosanthes root (栝樓) is commonly used. It is also a frequently used herb for clearing lung heat in traditional Chinese medicine.

I went to Dongshan, and I haven’t returned for a long time. I come from the east, where the rain is drizzling. The fruits of the trees are scattered, and they also extend across the universe

Yiwai is in the house, and the pestle is at the door. The fields and deer grounds are illuminated by the night sky. It is not to be feared, but rather to be cherished.

                                                 《East Mountain, Bin Feng, Book of Songs》

In the “Book of Songs” (詩經), the term “果臝” is sometimes interpreted as Trichosanthes (栝樓). The text describes how, after a long period of military service in Dongshan, the return home reveals significant changes. Vines have grown up against the walls, and melons hang from the eaves, reflecting a deep sense of homesickness and the passage of time.

    According to the fourth edition of the Taiwanese Materia Medica (台灣中藥典), Tianhua Fen (天花粉) refers to the dried roots of the gourd family plants Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim. or Trichosanthes rosthornii Harms, commonly known as Trichosanthes. It was first mentioned in the Han Dynasty text “Shennong’s Materia Medica” (《神農本草經》), where it was classified as a middle-grade herb. The term Tianhua Fen translates to “Heavenly Flower Powder” due to the white, snow-like color of the root and its strong powdery texture.

Other names for this herb include flower powder, white medicine, auspicious snow, heavenly melon powder, and gourd root. It is mainly produced in regions such as Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, and Shaanxi, with some sporadic cultivation in Taiwan.

The harvesting usually occurs in autumn or winter. The roots are cleaned, peeled, cut into sections or longitudinally split into segments, and then dried. The original herb appears irregularly cylindrical or spindle-shaped. Its surface is yellowish-white or light brown with longitudinal wrinkles, and it is solid with a powdery texture on the cross-section.

Quality requirements include a large, white root, solid texture, adequate powdery feel, and few vascular bundles or “muscle points” visible in the cross-section. These “muscle points” are the vascular bundles within the herb, which appear as uneven thread-like structures when broken, similar to human veins.

The primary processing method involves removing impurities from the raw herb, soaking it in clean water until it reaches about 50-60% hydration, then draining, further moistening until fully permeated, slicing, and drying.

According to the “Shennong’s Materia Medica”, Tianhua Fen has a bitter and cold taste and is used to treat thirst, body heat, vexation, and extreme heat. It is effective in clearing heat, supplementing deficiencies, calming the center, and healing wounds

    When purchasing Tianhua Fen (天花粉), it’s rare to encounter counterfeit products, but it’s still best to use several methods to verify its authenticity:

Check the Slice:

Look at the edges of the slices. If they are too rounded or if there’s a protruding woody core in the center, it might be cassava rather than Tianhua Fen.
Use a damp cloth to wipe the cut surface and check for radiating yellow small holes. If these holes are not present, the product may be counterfeit.
Examine the texture. If the texture is not distinct, it could indicate the presence of other substances.
Feel the Surface:

If the surface feels too smooth, it might be mixed with talc powder.
Tianhua Fen slices should break easily when gently bent. If it doesn’t break or requires a lot of force to break, it might be problematic.
Smell the Herb:

Normally, Tianhua Fen should not have an acidic smell. If there is an acidic odor, the herb might have been improperly treated with sulfur.
Taste the Herb:

The taste should be slightly bitter. If the bitterness is very strong, it could be a sign of a problem.
Additionally, the source plant of Tianhua Fen is dioecious, meaning there are separate male and female plants. Generally, female plants have thinner roots with more fibers, while male plants have thicker roots with a stronger powdery texture. This can also serve as a reference for identification.

    Tianhua Fen is commonly used as a medicinal herb by the general public. To ensure the safety of its use, the Taiwanese government has established limits for heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead in the herb. Additionally, there are set standards for sulfur dioxide content. These regulations help ensure that the herb is safe for public use.

Image provided by Professor Zhang Xianzhe’s ‘Authentic Medicinal Material Atlas’ Link to the Atlas