Trichosanthes kirilowii japonica

Leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable^[2][1]. An edible starch is obtained from the root^[1]. It requires leeching^[3]. The root is harvested in the autumn, cut into thick slices, soaked for 4 - 5 days in water, changing the water daily until the root disintegrates and can be mashed into a fine pulp. It is then steamed into cakes or used for making dumplings^[2][5][3]. The starch is mixed with wheat or rice flour and made into crackers, dumplings, noodles etc^[1].

This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs^[6]. Recent research has isolated a protein called 'trichosanthin' in the roots and this is undergoing trials as a possible remedy for AIDS^[7]. Skin, vulnerary^[8][5]. The leaf and the stem are febrifuge^[6]. The fruit is antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antifungal, depurative, emollient, expectorant and laxative^{[9][8][10][5][7]}. It is used in the treatment of pulmonary infections with yellow and thick sputum, chest pains, stuffy feelings in the chest, constipation and dry stool^[10]. It has an antibacterial action against E. coli, Bacillus dysenteriae, B. typhi, B. paratyphi, Pseudomonas, Vibrio cholerae, V. Proteus etc^[10]. The fruit is traditionally prepared as a winter soup to ward off colds and influenza^[7]. The fruit is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use^[7]. The rind of the fruit is used to treat a number of ailments, including cancer, jaundice, retained placenta, bronchial infections with thick phlegm and sore throat^[10][6][7]. The seed is antitussive, emollient and expectorant^[6]. The root is antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, galactogogue, laxative, oxytocic, sialagogue and uterine tonic^{[9][8][10][5][6][7]}. The fresh root has been noted for centuries as an abortifacient - a sponge soaked in its juice was placed in the vagina and induced an abortion in the second trimester of pregnancy^[6]. The root is taken internally in the treatment of diabetes, dry coughs, and to assist in the second stage of labour^[10][7]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use^[7].