Witnessed by: TCM
Gac (Momordica cochinchinensis), of the Cucurbitaceae family. Climbing perennial vine with spiny orange-red fruit; native range: southern China and Southeast Asia. Globally recognized as mu bie zi (木鱉子) in Chinese, and gac seed, cochinchin gourd seed in English. The part used is seed. Flat greyish disc-shaped seed with a hard toothed rim, oily kernel within, bitter with a slight sweetness.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
GAC
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- gac
- Scientific name
- Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.
- Family
- Cucurbitaceae
Form
- Part used
- seed
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Spleen · Stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- reduces swelling, disperses nodules and clumps, resolves toxicity, expels pus
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy and in weak or deficient patients
- Toxicity
- toxic — reserved mainly for external use; internal use only in small doses with great caution
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