- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- South and Southeast Asia and southern China
- Traditions
- Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 778
Momordica cochinchinensis
Herb · Asia
Gac seed (mu bie zi)
Momordica cochinchinensis
Traditionally attributed effects: externally for inflamed sores, breast abscesses and bruises.
Safety notes
Toxic or risky: only under expert supervision. Deliberately no dosage is given here. Not during pregnancy or with weakness. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Toxic: do not use internally.
Preparation
Seed. Deliberately no dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'substances for external use'. The seeds are poisonous and are used only externally for boils and swellings. The red fruit (gấc) is popular in Vietnam for colouring festive rice red and is rich in beta-carotene and lycopene.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, sweet, warm, toxic
- Meridians
- liver, large intestine, stomach
Attributed effects
For inflammation with abscesses, slow-healing sores and swollen glands, and blood stagnation with pain and swelling from injury; usually externally as a wash or powder.
Preparation and amount
Deliberately no dosage is given here: only under the supervision of a qualified therapist. The flesh of the gac fruit is a valued food in Vietnam; the seeds are toxic.
Combinations
- Externally with huang qin, huang bai, ku shen and tian hua fen for chronic abscesses
Caution: Toxic: do not use internally.