Du Gua

Last updated 2026-11-10 — Its scientific name is Trichosanthes kirilowii, known in traditional Chinese medicine as Gualou, and commonly called bitter melon. It is a traditional medicinal herb in Pinghu, where its rind, seeds, and root can all be used for medicinal purposes. Pinghu Du Gua is characterized by its large size, thick rind, coarse seeds, and high oil content. According to appraisals conducted in 1986 and 1987 by Nanjing College of Pharmacy and the Shanghai Institute for Food and Drug Control: “Pinghu Trichosanthes” is authentic Trichosanthes, a genuine and high-quality medicinal material rich in triterpenoid saponins, organic acids, sugars, and pigments. Its root (Tianyao Powder), as tested and confirmed by Dr. Yang Xianrong of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, can be refined to extract pollen protein for treating AIDS. (Pinghu)