The Health Benefits of Chinese Cucumber

Chinese cucumber is a member of the gourd family and its scientific name is Trichosanthes kirilowii, but it also goes by the names of Chinese snake gourd, Gua-lou, Compound Q, and Tian-hua-fen. Every part of Chinese cucumber (seeds, fruit, stem, and root) have been used in medicine by the Chinese people for thousands of years. Treatments for fevers, abscesses, diabetes, coughs, jaundice, phlegm, tumor treatment, fungal buildup, inflammation, swelling, constipation, and other health problems have been procured from the various parts of Chinese cucumber. Mainly, it works by stimulating the creation of bodily fluids, which help eliminate dryness and remove unwanted substances from the body, such as pus, phlegm, and various other toxic matter.

But the most surprising thing by far is Chinese cucumber's effects upon the HIV virus. In 1986 a doctor by the name of Hin Yung visited an AIDS research center at San Francisco University and presented researchers with a vial filled with Chinese cucumber extract (scientific name trichosanthin). The researchers had never heard of Chinese cucumber before but followed Dr. Hin Yung's suggestion and placed some of the extraction in a test tube filled with both AIDS infected cells and healthy cells.

The researchers were amazed when they observed the infected cells immediately being destroyed by the extract, while the other uninfected cells remained unharmed - the extract was selectively stifling the reproduction of deadly HIV cells. AIDS patients subsequently treated with the cucumber extraction were not entirely cured, but their overall health was considerably improved. Chinese cucumber extract also has immune system enhancing properties as well, which helped the AIDS patients. Root extractions are still being studied as anti-HIV agents (one with the scientific name Trichonanthine is also known as "Compound Q").

Other uses for Chinese cucumber are as an expectorant, an antibiotic, the treatment of boils and hemorrhoids, bronchitis, constipation, breast tumors and lung tumors.

WARNING: Proper dosage guidelines for Chinese cucumber are not presently known, and it should NEVER be taken in large amounts since it can be extremely TOXIC to humans. There can be allergic reactions, seizures, heart damage, and hormonal problems if too much is ingested, especially in extract form. Herbs such as Chinese cucumber are best used in SMALL quantities only as a preventive measure rather than as a curative. And women should never use Chinese cucumber if they are pregnant or nursing.