Trichosanthes rosthornii

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2020) the dried root of Trichosanthes rosthornii is used in a decoction for fever, cough, sore throat and external swelling; the root is sliced, boiled in water and taken warm. The Korean Pharmacopoeia (2021) records the same herb as “천화분” and recommends a 10 g‑root decoction in 500 mL water for 30 minutes, taken twice daily for respiratory complaints. The classic Bencao Gangmu (Li Shizhen, 1596) also lists “天花粉” (tianhua fen) prepared by simmering the sliced root in water to treat “heat‑type” fevers and “phlegm‑heat” coughs. All three sources employ only the root, never leaves or stems, and the preparation is consistently a water‑based decoction or tea.

To make a mild therapeutic tea, combine 10 g of dried, thinly sliced T. rosthornii root with 400 mL of cold water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, then strain the liquid. Drink the warm decoction in 100‑mL doses two to three times a day until symptoms subside. The same recipe can be reduced to 5 g for children over twelve, but the herb is contraindicated in pregnancy and in children under twelve; high doses may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, and the total daily amount should not exceed 20 g of dried root.

Chemical studies of the root show a characteristic ribosome‑inactivating protein, trichosanthin, identified by Zhou et al. (2000) in Phytochemistry. The plant also contains cucurbitacin triterpenoids such as cucurbitacin I and II, reported by Li et al. (2008) in Journal of Natural Products, and flavonoids including quercetin and kaempferol, documented by Zhang et al. (2009) in Fitoterapia. Water‑soluble polysaccharides with immunomodulatory activity were isolated by Wang et al. (2012) in Carbohydrate Polymers. These constituents are regarded as the bioactive agents that underlie the traditional antipyretic, antitussive and anti‑inflammatory actions.

Today the dried root is sold in Chinese and Korean herbal markets under the names “Tianhua Fen” and “천화분”, and it remains a common ingredient in clinical decoctions for respiratory and inflammatory disorders. Ongoing laboratory work is investigating the anticancer potential of its cucurbitacins and the antiviral properties of trichosanthin, while standardized extracts are being developed for more precise dosing. The species is cultivated on small farms in Yunnan and Guizhou, ensuring a steady supply for both traditional practitioners and modern researchers.

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