Herb Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dong Gua Zi

Winter melon seed · 冬瓜子

Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. · Semen Benincasae

Also known as: Dōng Guā Rén (冬瓜仁), Bái Guā Zǐ (白瓜子), Guā Bàn (瓜瓣),

Dong Gua Zi (Winter melon seed) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Winter melon seed is a gentle, cooling herb best known for helping the body clear thick phlegm from the lungs and drain internal abscesses. It has been used for centuries in classical formulas for lung infections with foul-smelling sputum, intestinal inflammation resembling appendicitis, and conditions involving excess fluid or dampness such as edema and abnormal vaginal discharge.

Category Dampness-draining herbs (利水渗湿药) Phlegm-transforming herbs (化痰药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Digestive Health Urinary Health Skin Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels entered

Lungs, Large Intestine, Stomach, Small Intestine

Parts used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

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Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Dong Gua Zi does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Dong Gua Zi is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Digestive Health Urinary Health Skin Health

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Dong Gua Zi performs to restore balance in the body:

Clears Lung Heat and Transforms Phlegm Expels Pus and Reduces Swelling Drains Dampness Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels

How these actions work

'Clears the Lungs and transforms Phlegm' means this herb helps cool Heat that has settled in the Lungs and break down thick, sticky mucus. It is especially relevant when someone has a cough producing yellow or foul-smelling phlegm due to Heat and Dampness accumulating in the chest. Its sweet, cool nature gently moistens the Lungs without trapping pathogenic factors.

'Expels pus and disperses abscesses' refers to this herb's classical role in treating internal abscesses, particularly in the Lungs (lung abscess) and intestines (intestinal abscess, similar to appendicitis). When Heat and Blood stasis combine in these organs, tissue can break down and produce pus. Dōng Guā Zǐ helps drain that pus and clear the turbid, festering material. This is the action that earned it a central role in both Wěi Jīng Tāng (for lung abscess) and Dà Huáng Mǔ Dān Tāng (for intestinal abscess).

'Drains Dampness and promotes urination' means it helps the body eliminate excess fluid through the urinary tract. This makes it useful for conditions like edema, abnormal vaginal discharge (leukorrhea), and cloudy or painful urination caused by Damp-Heat settling in the lower body.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Dong Gua Zi is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Dong Gua Zi addresses this pattern

When Heat and Phlegm combine in the Lungs, they obstruct the Lung's natural downward-clearing function, leading to coughing with thick yellow or foul-smelling sputum. Dōng Guā Zǐ's cool, sweet nature clears Lung Heat while its moistening quality helps transform and expel thick, sticky Phlegm. It enters the Lung channel directly, making it well-suited as a supporting herb to restore the Lung's descending and purifying function. In severe cases where Phlegm-Heat has progressed to a lung abscess (肺痈), Dōng Guā Zǐ specifically helps discharge pus and resolve the abscess from within.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough with thick, yellow, or foul-smelling sputum

Chest Pain

Chest pain aggravated by coughing

Fever

Low-grade fever

Exertional Dyspnea

Chest tightness and labored breathing

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Dong Gua Zi is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, a lung abscess (肺痈) is understood as Heat toxins and Phlegm congesting the Lungs. When pathogenic Heat invades or builds up in the Lung, it can stagnate the Blood and body fluids, creating a vicious cycle of Heat, Phlegm, and Blood stasis. Over time, the Heat causes tissue to break down and rot, producing pus. The Lung's normal function of descending and purifying is severely disrupted, leading to coughing up foul-smelling, thick, purulent sputum and chest pain.

Why Dong Gua Zi Helps

Dōng Guā Zǐ is cool and sweet, entering the Lung channel to directly clear the Heat driving the abscess while its moistening, Phlegm-transforming action helps break down and expel the thick purulent material. Its classical role as the Deputy herb in Wěi Jīng Tāng (Reed Decoction) demonstrates how it works alongside herbs that clear Heat (Lú Gēn), drain pus (Yì Yǐ Rén), and disperse Blood stasis (Táo Rén) to address all dimensions of a lung abscess: Heat, Phlegm, pus, and stasis.

Also commonly used for

Pneumonia

Lung infections with thick yellow phlegm

Bronchitis

Acute or chronic bronchitis with phlegm-heat

Leukorrhea

Abnormal vaginal discharge due to damp-heat

Edema

Edema and water retention

Painful Urination

Urinary tract infections or painful urination

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Productive cough with thick yellow sputum

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān)

Channels Entered

Lungs Large Intestine Stomach Small Intestine

Parts Used

Seed (种子 zhǒng zǐ / 子 zǐ / 仁 rén)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Dong Gua Zi — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

9–30g

Maximum dosage

Up to 30g in standard decoction; some sources permit larger doses in acute cases of lung or intestinal abscess, but this should be under practitioner supervision only.

Dosage notes

Use the lower range (9–15g) for mild phlegm-heat cough or as a supporting herb in formulas. Use higher doses (15–30g) when treating lung abscess (肺痈) or intestinal abscess (肠痈), typically combined with other key herbs such as Yi Yi Ren and Lu Gen. Raw (unprocessed) Dong Gua Zi is preferred for clearing Lung Heat, resolving phlegm, and draining pus. Stir-fried Dong Gua Zi (炒冬瓜子) has a milder cold nature and is better suited for dampness-turbidity conditions such as vaginal discharge or urinary turbidity, especially in patients with weaker digestion. The seeds should be lightly crushed before decocting to release their oily active constituents.

Preparation

Crush or lightly pound the seeds before adding to the decoction to improve extraction of active constituents from the oily kernel. No other special decoction handling (such as decocting first or adding last) is required.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Dong Gua Zi does

Processing method

Clean winter melon seeds are placed in a dry-frying vessel and stir-fried over gentle heat until the surface turns slightly yellow with occasional scorch spots, then removed and cooled. Crushed before use.

How it changes properties

Stir-frying reduces the herb's cold nature, making it milder and less likely to injure the Spleen and Stomach. The process also produces a fragrant aroma that helps 'awaken' the Spleen (启脾). While the raw form excels at clearing Lung Heat and expelling pus, the stir-fried form shifts the emphasis toward draining Dampness and resolving turbidity in the lower body.

When to use this form

Choose the stir-fried form for Damp-Heat conditions in the lower body such as abnormal vaginal discharge (leukorrhea) and cloudy urination (turbid urine). It is also preferred when the patient's Spleen is weak, as the reduced cold nature is gentler on digestion.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Dong Gua Zi for enhanced therapeutic effect

Yi Yi Ren
Yi Yi Ren Dōng Guā Zǐ 24g : Yì Yǐ Rén 30g

Together they clear Lung Heat, transform Phlegm, drain Dampness, and expel pus. Yì Yǐ Rén strengthens the Spleen to address the root of Dampness production while also clearing Heat and discharging pus from above. Dōng Guā Zǐ focuses on moistening the Lung and transforming thick Phlegm. The pair covers both the upper (Lung) and lower (intestinal) sources of Damp-Heat abscesses.

When to use: Lung abscess with cough producing foul-smelling purulent sputum, or any internal abscess where Phlegm-Heat and Dampness are involved.

Lu Gen
Lu Gen Lú Gēn 60g : Dōng Guā Zǐ 24g

Lú Gēn (reed rhizome) is sweet and cold, excelling at clearing Lung Heat and promoting fluid production, while Dōng Guā Zǐ transforms Phlegm and expels pus. Together they powerfully clear Heat from the Lung while loosening and draining thick, purulent sputum without being overly harsh or drying.

When to use: Lung abscess or severe Lung Heat with cough producing thick yellow or foul sputum, chest pain, and low-grade fever. This is the core pair of Wěi Jīng Tāng.

Tao Ren
Tao Ren 1:1 (approximately 9-12g each)

Táo Rén (peach kernel) invigorates Blood and disperses stasis, while Dōng Guā Zǐ clears Heat, drains Dampness, and expels pus. Together they address the combination of Blood stasis and Damp-Heat that underlies abscess formation, whether in the Lungs or intestines. Táo Rén also moistens the intestines, which complements Dōng Guā Zǐ's action of promoting the downward discharge of purulent material.

When to use: Internal abscesses (lung or intestinal) where Blood stasis and Damp-Heat are both present. This pair appears in both Wěi Jīng Tāng and Dà Huáng Mǔ Dān Tāng.

Gua Lou
Gua Lou Guā Lóu 15g : Dōng Guā Zǐ 12g

Guā Lóu (trichosanthes fruit) is cold and sweet, powerfully clearing Heat and transforming Phlegm while broadening the chest. Paired with Dōng Guā Zǐ, the two herbs reinforce each other's ability to clear Lung Heat and resolve thick, sticky Phlegm. Guā Lóu opens the chest while Dōng Guā Zǐ drains the Dampness component.

When to use: Phlegm-Heat cough with thick yellow sputum, chest tightness and stuffiness, and a feeling of fullness in the chest.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Dong Gua Zi in a prominent role

Wei Jing Tang 苇茎汤 Deputy

Wěi Jīng Tāng (Reed Decoction) is the most representative formula for Dōng Guā Zǐ's core action of clearing Lung Heat, transforming Phlegm, and expelling pus. As the Deputy herb, Dōng Guā Zǐ works alongside the King herb Lú Gēn (reed rhizome) to clear Lung Heat, while specifically contributing its Phlegm-transforming and pus-draining abilities. This formula treats lung abscess with cough producing foul-smelling purulent sputum and chest pain.

Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang 大黃牡丹皮湯 Assistant

Dà Huáng Mǔ Dān Tāng is the classic formula for early-stage intestinal abscess (similar to appendicitis). Dōng Guā Zǐ serves as an Assistant, draining Damp-Heat and helping discharge pus from the intestines while the King and Deputy herbs (Dà Huáng, Mǔ Dān Pí, Táo Rén, Máng Xiāo) purge Heat and break up Blood stasis. This formula showcases Dōng Guā Zǐ's action on the Large Intestine channel.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Yi Yi Ren
Dong Gua Zi vs Yi Yi Ren

Both Dōng Guā Zǐ and Yì Yǐ Rén clear Heat, drain Dampness, and expel pus, but they differ in emphasis. Dōng Guā Zǐ is better at clearing Lung Heat and transforming thick Phlegm, making it the preferred choice for lung abscess with purulent sputum. Yì Yǐ Rén is better at strengthening the Spleen and resolving Dampness with diarrhea, edema, or joint pain (Bì syndrome). Yì Yǐ Rén is also slightly better for Damp-Heat in the Large Intestine with loose stools, while Dōng Guā Zǐ is more specific for abscess conditions in both the Lung and intestines.

Jie Geng
Dong Gua Zi vs Jie Geng

Both herbs address conditions involving pus in the Lungs, but they work through entirely different mechanisms. Jié Gěng is acrid and neutral, acting as a Lung-opening messenger herb that directs other herbs upward and helps expel pus by opening and dispersing. Dōng Guā Zǐ is sweet and cool, working by clearing Heat, transforming Phlegm, and draining Dampness to resolve the underlying condition that produces the pus. They are often used together rather than interchangeably.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Dong Gua Zi

Dong Gua Zi may occasionally be confused with seeds from other Cucurbitaceae family plants, such as Nan Gua Zi (南瓜子, pumpkin seed, from Cucurbita moschata) or Si Gua Zi (丝瓜子, loofah seed). Nan Gua Zi is larger and typically darker yellow-green, while Si Gua Zi is black and smaller. Authentic Dong Gua Zi is flat, elongated-oval, yellowish-white, about 1–1.5 cm long, with a characteristic slightly sweet taste and oily kernel. Two market varieties exist (single-edged and double-edged) that are both genuine, derived from different cultivars of the same species. The main quality concern is not adulteration but rather substandard material: immature, shriveled, or insect-damaged seeds that lack therapeutic potency.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Dong Gua Zi

Non-toxic

Dong Gua Zi is classified as non-toxic in both classical sources and the modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The Bie Lu (《别录》) explicitly states it is "non-toxic" (无毒). The seeds contain saponins (about 0.68%), fatty oils (predominantly linoleic and oleic acids), citrulline, urea, and small amounts of adenine and trigonelline. None of these constituents are present in amounts that cause toxicity at standard dosages. The only caution from classical literature is that prolonged continuous use may cause internal coldness due to its cold thermal nature.

Contraindications

Situations where Dong Gua Zi should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虚寒): Dong Gua Zi is cold in nature and can further damage the Spleen and Stomach Yang in people with cold-type digestive weakness, worsening symptoms like loose stools, poor appetite, and abdominal cold pain.

Caution

Chronic cold-type diarrhea: The cold, slippery nature of this seed can aggravate diarrhea due to Spleen Yang deficiency or internal cold.

Caution

Prolonged or excessive use in cold constitutions: As noted in the Bie Lu (《别录》), long-term use can cause internal cold (久服寒中), making it inappropriate for extended use in people who already tend toward coldness.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Some classical and modern TCM references list Dong Gua Zi as not recommended during pregnancy (孕妇不宜用). The mechanism of concern relates to its cold, slippery (滑利) nature, which could theoretically promote downward movement and disturb a developing pregnancy. However, it is not considered strongly abortifacient or uterine-stimulating. Pregnant women should use this herb only under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Breastfeeding

No specific classical or modern contraindications for breastfeeding have been documented. The herb is food-derived (from a common vegetable) and classified as non-toxic, so standard doses in decoction are generally considered low-risk during breastfeeding. However, its cold nature may theoretically affect breast milk quality in women with Spleen Yang deficiency, potentially contributing to loose stools in the nursing infant. Caution and practitioner guidance are advisable.

Children

Dong Gua Zi is a mild, food-grade herb and is generally well-tolerated in children at reduced doses. For children, dosage is typically adjusted to one-third to one-half of the adult dose depending on age and body weight. Its cold nature warrants caution in children with weak digestive function or chronic loose stools. It is most commonly used in pediatric settings as part of formulas for phlegm-heat cough or mild urinary difficulties, not as a standalone herb.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Dong Gua Zi

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established for Dong Gua Zi in the clinical literature. Its known active constituents (fatty oils, saponins, citrulline, trypsin inhibitors) are not associated with significant cytochrome P450 interactions or effects on common drug pathways. However, given its diuretic and dampness-draining properties, there is a theoretical potential for additive effects if taken alongside prescription diuretic medications, which could affect fluid and electrolyte balance. Patients on diuretics should inform their healthcare provider before using this herb.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Dong Gua Zi

While taking Dong Gua Zi, especially in formulas for clearing Heat or resolving phlegm, it is advisable to avoid excessively cold or raw foods if the person already has weak digestion, as the herb's cold nature can compound this. Greasy, heavy, and fried foods should be minimized when using the herb for phlegm or abscess conditions, as these can generate more dampness and phlegm. When the herb is being used for its traditional cosmetic benefits, a diet rich in fresh vegetables and light, easily digestible foods is supportive.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Dong Gua Zi source plant

Dong Gua Zi is the dried mature seed of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn., the winter melon or wax gourd, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family. The parent plant is an annual climbing or trailing herbaceous vine that can grow several meters long. Its stems are stout, roughly square in cross-section, and densely covered with yellowish-brown bristly hairs. The leaves are large (15–30 cm wide), kidney-shaped to nearly round, with 5–7 shallow lobes and serrated margins, rough-textured with coarse hairs on both surfaces. Branching tendrils emerge from the leaf axils for climbing support.

Flowers are yellow, solitary, and monoecious (separate male and female flowers on the same plant), blooming from May to June. The fruit is a large, fleshy gourd, cylindrical or nearly spherical, 25–60 cm long and 10–35 cm in diameter, with a pale green rind covered in a distinctive white waxy bloom when mature. The white flesh is thick and juicy. Inside are numerous flat, oval to elongated-oval seeds, about 1–1.5 cm long and 5–10 mm wide, with a yellowish-white outer coat. The plant thrives in warm, humid conditions and is widely cultivated across tropical, subtropical, and temperate Asia.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Dong Gua Zi is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Summer to autumn, when the winter melon fruit is fully mature. Seeds are collected when the ripe fruit is cut open for consumption, then washed, selected for maturity and fullness, and sun-dried.

Primary growing regions

Dong Gua Zi is produced throughout China wherever winter melon is cultivated. The largest production volumes come from Sichuan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Henan, Hebei, and Anhui provinces. There is no single strongly defined dao di (道地) terroir region for this herb, as the parent plant adapts well to diverse climates and soils. Traditionally, double-edged seeds (双边冬瓜子) are mainly sold in eastern China, while single-edged seeds (单边冬瓜子) predominate in northern and northeastern markets. The plant originates from China and eastern India and is now widely cultivated across tropical, subtropical, and temperate Asia.

Quality indicators

Good quality Dong Gua Zi seeds are plump and full, with a clean yellowish-white outer coat that is not darkened, cracked, or mottled. The seeds should feel light, and when the seed coat is removed, the two cotyledons inside should be milky white and visibly oily. The aroma is very faint, and the taste should be slightly sweet. Avoid seeds that are shriveled, discolored (dark brown or grey), insect-eaten, or mixed with excessive debris. Both single-edged (单边) and double-edged (双边) varieties are acceptable, as they come from cultivar variations of the same species.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Dong Gua Zi and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 味甘，平。主令人悦泽，好颜色，益气不饥。久服，轻身、耐老。

Translation: Sweet in taste, neutral in nature. It makes a person's complexion lustrous and beautiful, supplements Qi and prevents hunger. With prolonged use, it lightens the body and delays aging.

Bie Lu (《别录》)

Original: 寒，无毒。主除烦满不乐。久服寒中。可作面脂，令面悦泽。

Translation: Cold in nature, non-toxic. Primarily relieves feelings of oppressive fullness and unhappiness. Prolonged use causes coldness in the middle [Spleen/Stomach]. Can be made into a facial cream to brighten and moisten the complexion.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen)

Original: 治肠痈。

Translation: Treats intestinal abscess.

Cui Yuxi, Shi Jing (崔禹锡《食经》)

Original: 利水道，去淡水。

Translation: Promotes the water pathways and eliminates fluid retention.

Ben Cao Shu (《本草述》)

Original: 主治心经蕴热，小水淋痛，并鼻面酒渣如麻豆，疼痛，黄水出。

Translation: Primarily treats Heat accumulating in the Heart channel, painful difficult urination, as well as rosacea-like nodules on the nose and face that are painful and discharge yellow fluid.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Dong Gua Zi's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Dong Gua Zi holds one of the longest records of any seed-type medicinal in Chinese medicine. It was listed as a "top grade" (上品) herb in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the earliest systematic materia medica (compiled in the Han dynasty era), under its older name "Gua Zi" (瓜子) or "Bai Gua Zi" (白瓜子, white melon seed). Its original indication there was cosmetic and tonic: brightening the complexion, supplementing Qi, and promoting longevity. The name "Dong Gua" (winter melon) derives from the white, frost-like waxy powder that covers the mature fruit's surface, resembling winter frost, hence "winter gourd."

Over subsequent centuries, its medicinal scope expanded considerably. By the Jin-Tang period, Zhang Zhongjing included it (as "Gua Ban") in the famous Da Huang Mu Dan Tang (大黄牡丹汤) of the Jin Gui Yao Lue for intestinal abscess, and Sun Simiao used it in Wei Jing Tang (苇茎汤) of the Qian Jin Yao Fang for lung abscess. Tao Hongjing's Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu added that it could be made into a facial cream. The Ben Cao Tu Jing (Song dynasty) specified that medicinal-grade seeds should be harvested after frost, stored for a year, then shelled, washed, and dried before use. Its cosmetic reputation persisted: multiple historical texts describe its use in facial pastes and powders to lighten skin blemishes and improve complexion, making it one of the earliest documented cosmeceutical ingredients in Chinese tradition.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Dong Gua Zi

1

Anti-angiogenic effect of the seed extract of Benincasa hispida Cogniaux (In vitro/in vivo study, 2005)

Lee KH, Choi HR, Kim CH. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005, Volume 97, Issue 3, Pages 509-513.

This study found that the seed extract of Benincasa hispida inhibited bFGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and blood vessel tube formation in a dose-dependent manner, without showing toxicity to normal cells. The extract also showed potent anti-angiogenic effects in an in vivo mouse model, suggesting potential relevance for conditions involving abnormal blood vessel growth.

Link
2

Effect of Benincasa hispida fruits on testosterone-induced prostatic hypertrophy in albino rats (Preclinical study, 2014)

Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental, 2014, Volume 75, Pages 70-76.

This animal study evaluated petroleum ether extract and seed oil of Benincasa hispida for their effects on testosterone-induced prostate enlargement in rats. Both the petroleum ether extract and the seed oil demonstrated inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase activity in laboratory tests and reduced prostate-to-body weight ratios in treated animals, suggesting potential benefit for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PubMed
3

A Literature-Based Update on Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.: Traditional Uses, Nutraceutical, and Phytopharmacological Profiles (Review, 2021)

Islam MT, Quispe C, El-Kersh DM, et al. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2021, Volume 2021, Article 6349041.

This comprehensive review compiled evidence on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of Benincasa hispida, covering anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities reported across its fruit, seed, and peel. The review noted the plant's long history of use in traditional Asian medicine systems and highlighted the need for more clinical trials.

Link
4

Immunopotentiator separated from hot water extract of the seed of Benincasa cerifera Savi (Preclinical study, 1985)

Kumazawa Y, Nakatsutu Y, Yamada A. Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, 1985, Volume 19, Pages 79-84.

An early study isolated an immunostimulatory fraction from the hot water extract of winter melon seeds. This fraction acted as a B-cell mitogen and polyclonal B-cell activator, significantly increasing antibody-producing cell numbers in mice, demonstrating immune-enhancing properties of the seeds.

Link

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.