Chinese: 瓜蒌散
Pinyin: Guā Lóu Sàn
Other names: Trichosanthes Powder, Snake gourd Powder,
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula category: Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Conditions for which it may be prescribed: MastitisBreast engorgement
Main actions: Remove breast carbuncle (mastitis) after birth giving
Source date: 1826 AD
Source book: Fu Qing Zhu's Gynecology
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Gua Lou San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula with Snake Gourds (Gua Lou) as a principal ingredient.
Invented in 1826 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity. Its main action is that it remove breast carbuncle (mastitis) after birth giving.
In Chinese Medicine health conditions are thought to arise due to "disharmonies" in the body as a system. These disharmonies are called "patterns" and the very purpose of herbal formulas is to fight them in order to restore the body's harmony.
In this case Gua Lou San is used by TCM practitioners to fight patterns like Liver Qi Stagnation or Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat. From a Western Medicine standpoint, such patterns can give rise to a range of conditions such as mastitis or breast engorgement for instance.
On this page, after a detailed description of each of the eight ingredients in Gua Lou San, we review the patterns and conditions that Gua Lou San helps treat.
The eight ingredients in Gua Lou San
Gua Lou is a king ingredient in Gua Lou San. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
1. Snake Gourds (Gua Lou)
In general Gua Lou's main actions are as follows: "Clears Phlegm-Heat conditions with thick difficult to expectorate sputum. Regulates the Qi of the chest and relieves constriction and swellings of the chest and Lungs. Lubricates the Intestines."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it resolves Phlegm and affects the breast.
2. Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua)
In general Jin Yin Hua's main actions are as follows: "Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Dispels Wind-Heat derived from an External pathogen. Expels Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner. Relieves Carbuncles."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it resolves Toxic Heat.
3. Dong Quai (Dang Gui)
Part used: Dried root
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: HeartLiverSpleen
Category: Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency
In general Dang Gui's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it nourishes and moves Blood.
4. Frankincense (Ru Xiang)
Part used: An aromatic resin obtained from boswellia trees
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Ru Xiang's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and Qi and relieves pain. Disperses Wind-Damp from the Meridians and relaxes the sinews. Reduces swelling and aids in wound healing."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it invigorates Blood and eliminates Stagnation.
5. Myrrh (Mo Yao)
Part used: Dried resin of the tree
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Bitter
Meridian affinity: SpleenHeartLiver
Category: Herbs that invigorate the Blood
In general Mo Yao's main actions are as follows: "Moves Blood and relieves Stagnation and pain caused by Blood Stagnation. Assists in wound healing."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it invigorates Blood and eliminates Stagnation.
6. Angelica Roots (Bai Zhi)
In general Bai Zhi's main actions are as follows: "Relieves the Exterior and disperses Wind. Disperses Wind and Cold from the Yang Brightness channels. Relieves Wind-Damp Cold painful obstruction. Dries Dampness and pus and reduces swelling. Opens the nasal passages."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it expels pus.
7. Green Tangerine Peel (Qing Pi)
Part used: Dried pericarp of the young or immature fruits
Nature: Warm
Meridian affinity: GallbladderStomachLiver
Category: Herbs that regulate Qi
In general Qing Pi's main actions are as follows: "Smooths the flow of Liver Qi and releases Stagnation. Reduces Food Stagnation. Dries Damp and reduces Phlegm."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it moves Qi and it specifically affects the breasts.
8. Liquorice (Gan Cao)
Part used: Dried root and rhizome
Nature: Neutral
Taste(s): Sweet
Meridian affinity: HeartLungSpleenStomach
Category: Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
In general Gan Cao's main actions are as follows: "Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs."
In the context of Gua Lou San, it is used because it harmonizes all ingredients.
Conditions and patterns for which Gua Lou San may be prescribed
It's important to remember that herbal formulas are meant to treat patterns, not "diseases" as understood in Western Medicine. According to Chinese Medicine patterns, which are disruptions to the body as a system, are the underlying root cause for diseases and conditions.
As such Gua Lou San is used by TCM practitioners to treat two different patterns which we describe below.
But before we delve into these patterns here is an overview of the Western conditions they're commonly associated with:
Again it wouldn't be correct to say "Gua Lou San treats mastitis" for instance. Rather, Gua Lou San is used to treat patterns that are sometimes the root cause behind mastitis.
Now let's look at the two patterns commonly treated with Gua Lou San.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
Symptoms: Anger Fever Nausea Sighing Anxiety Blister Vomiting Diarrhea Belching Moodiness Hiccuping Headaches Dark face Melancholy Depression Borborygmi Neck lumps Flank pain Mood swings Fluctuation Breast pain Irritability Breast lumps Constipation Poor appetite Breast eczema Abdominal pain Epigastic pain Breast redness Breast nodules Scanty periods Clots in blood Breast hardness Chest distension Menstrual cramps Frequent sighing Breast distention Dark nipple color Thick breast milk Abdomen distension Hypochondriac pain Breast skin cracks Uneven milk supply Dark colored blood Suppressed emotions Premenstrual tension Breast pus discharge Breast skin ichiness Abdominal distension Lower abdominal pain Feeling of distension Epigastric distension Pre-menstrual tension Epigastrium distension Irregular menstruation White spots on nipples Feelings of frustration HypochondriaI distension Yellow vaginal discharge Sticky vaginal discharge Alternating fever and chills Feeling of lump in the throat Premenstrual breast distension Churning feeling in the stomach Abdominal distention and fullness Feeling of pulsation in epigastrium Alternating constipation and diarrhea Insufficient or absent lactation after childbirth Stifling sensation in the chest causing one to have deep sighs
Gua Lou San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern leads to symptoms such as hypochondriai distension, chest distension, epigastrium distension and abdomen distension. Patients with Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as Normal or slightly red on the sides.
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. This affects not only the Liver, but other connected Organs as well as the Seven Emotions.
Liver Qi Stagnation is not only the most seen Liver disharmony, but also one... read more about Liver Qi Stagnation
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Pulse type(s): Floating (Fu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Symptoms: Fever Thirst Blister Red eyes Red face Toothache Headaches Dry mouth Dry throat Breast pain Breast heat Malar flush Breast lumps Restlessness Constipation Breast eczema Bleeding gums Swelling gums Breast redness Breast nodules Breast hardness Vomiting of food Breast distention Uneven milk supply Breast skin cracks Breast pus discharge Breast skin ichiness White spots on nipples Scanty clear urination
Gua Lou San is sometimes prescribed by TCM practitioners to treat Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat. This pattern leads to symptoms such as toothache, headaches, breast distention and breast lumps. Patients with Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat typically exhibit floating (Fu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
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