冬瓜皮
Benincasa peel (Dongguapi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Exocarpium Benincasae

Botanical Name: Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.

Common Name: Benincasa peel, Chinese wax gourd

Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao

Part Used: The peel of the gourd is dried in the sun.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet and slightly cold

Meridians: Lung and small intestine

Therapeutic Effects:
To promote water metabolism and reduce edema

Indications & Combinations: Edema. Benincasa peel (Dongguapi) is used with Phaseolus seed (Chixiaodou), Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) and Poria (Fuling) in the formula Donggua Wan.

Dosage: 15-30 g