What are the medicinal effects of Luffa络?
Jun 26, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Luffa络 (Luffa fiber) generally has medicinal effects including promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, clearing heat and resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, facilitating lactation and dispersing nodules, as well as improving digestion. Due to its tough texture resembling the human body's meridians, traditional medicine believes that luffa fiber possesses functions of promoting circulation in the meridians and enhancing blood flow. It can improve limb numbness and pain caused by poor circulation of qi and blood. For joint discomfort caused by wind-cold-damp obstruction, when used in combination with other herbs, it can help unblock the meridians and alleviate symptoms.
Loofah络 (Luffa network) generally has medicinal effects such as promoting blood circulation, clearing heat and resolving phlegm, promoting diuresis and removing dampness, facilitating lactation and dissipating nodules, and enhancing digestion. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blockages: Loofah络 has a tough texture resembling the body's meridians. Traditional medicine believes it can promote blood circulation and remove blockages in the meridians. It can improve limb numbness and pain caused by poor circulation of qi and blood. For joint discomfort caused by wind-cold-damp obstruction, when used with other herbs, it can help unblock meridians and alleviate symptoms.
2. Clearing Heat and Resolving Phlegm: Being cool in nature, loofah络 can clear internal heat pathogens and resolve phlegm. It serves as an adjunct in regulating symptoms such as cough caused by lung heat and yellow thick phlegm. When combined with heat-clearing and lung-moistening herbs for soups, it helps relieve respiratory tract heat syndromes and improves phlegm-related symptoms.
3. Promoting Diuresis and Removing Dampness: Loofah络 promotes the metabolism of excess body fluids and helps eliminate edema. For conditions such as difficult urination and bodily swelling caused by internal accumulation of dampness, appropriate use of loofah络 in decoctions or formulas can accelerate urine excretion and reduce fluid retention.
4. Facilitating Lactation and Dissipating Nodules: Loofah络 can serve as an adjunct for postpartum insufficient milk secretion or breast lumps. When stewed with ingredients such as pig's trotters and carp, it can promote lactation, relieve blocked mammary ducts, help clear breast meridians, and alleviate breast distension and discomfort.
5. Enhancing Digestion: Loofah络 contains abundant dietary fiber, which, upon entering the body, stimulates gastrointestinal motility and enhances digestive function. It helps improve indigestion and poor appetite, maintains normal intestinal function, and prevents constipation.
When using loofah络 medicinally or in dietary therapy, one should follow the guidance of professionals, ensuring proper dosage and method of use. Self-medication without supervision is not recommended. Individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold should use it cautiously; if adverse reactions occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical advice.
