Bencao Gangmu Reference Library
木鳖子 / 刺苦瓜 / 阴阳木鳖 / 漏谷果 / 假苦瓜 — Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.
Pinyin: Mùbiēzǐ / Cìkǔguā / Yīnyáng Mùbiē · Malay: Gac Fruit / Terung Kemang / Pupia · Family: Cucurbitaceae (葫芦科)
Energetics
Red Aril: Neutral to Cool (平 / 微凉); Seed: Warm (温 / 辛温), Mildly Toxic internally (有小毒)
Flavor
Aril: Sweet, bland, rich, oily (甘、淡、脂润); Seed: Bitter, acrid, oily (苦、辛、微涩)
Meridians
Liver (肝), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Eyes/Macula (目)
Traditional Edict
Gac Fruit (Mu Bie Zi / Fruit from Heaven). Spiny scarlet melon with turtle seeds. Red fatty aril commands world's highest bioavailable lycopene for macular degeneration and retinal health; seed softens scrofulous lymph nodes, drains carbuncles, relieves hemorrhoids.
Cautions & Contraindications
- DISTINCTION: Red aril is a safe superfood; hard seed kernel contains toxic cochinchinin (violently emetic raw). MU BIE ZI SEED IS STRICTLY CONTRAINDICATED IN PREGNANCY (abortifacient).
Clinical Applications
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), computer vision dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, cervical/breast cancer adjuvant care, severe carbuncles, and hemorrhoids.
Quality Markers
Mechanism & Phytochemistry
1. Lycopene and b-carotene pre-dissolved in fatty acid micelles concentrate in retinal macula, quenching singlet oxygen and protecting RPE cells. 2. Cochinchinin (Type I RIP) in seed halts tumor 28S rRNA translation. 3. Momordic acid boil drawing.
Preparation & Dosage
THE SOVEREIGN GAC ARIL MACULAR OIL: Pure cold-pressed red aril oil: 5-10 mL daily with meals for eyes. CRITICAL SEED PAOZHI MANDATE: DEFATTED MU BIE ZI FROST (Mu Bie Zi Shuang): 0.3-0.6 g in capsules daily. Raw seed for boil plaster: mixed with vinegar.
Appended Prescriptions
- 1. The Sovereign Macular Vision-Brightening Synergy with Lycium barbarum (Goji) and Chrysanthemum. 2. Classical Scrofula Dissolving Plaster with Frankincense and Vinegar.
Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only
