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Latin pharmacognostic name: Benincasae Exocarpium

Alternate English names: white gourd rind wax gourd rind

Kingdom: Plant

Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)

Origin (other sources): Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.*; Benincasa cerifera Savi [= B. hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.]

Use: Medicinal

Category: Water-disinhibiting dampness-percolating agents / Water-disinhibiting swelling-dispersing agents

Properties: Sweet, slightly cold.

Channel entry: Lung and small intestine channels.

Indications:

Dōng guā pí disinhibits water and disperses swelling. It is weak when used alone, although it has the benefit of not damaging right qì. Hence it is primarily used to treat water swelling and inhibited urination in patients suffering from weak health. For this purpose, it is combined with Fú líng (茯苓 Poria , poria), Zhū líng (猪苓 Polyporus , polyporus), and Zé xiè (泽泻 Alismatis Rhizoma, alisma [tuber]). It can also be used for summerheat-heat patterns with vexation and thirst and short voidings of reddish urine. In some texts, dōng guā pí is listed as the primary medicinal and the seed is presented an associated medicinal.

Dosage & Method: Oral: 9–30g in decoctions.

Quality: Clean, thin long skins that are grayish green in color and have a powdery bloom are the best.

Product Area: Most parts of China, with production highest in Sìchuān, Zhèjiāng, Jiāngsū, Hénán, Héběi, ānhuī.

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