Herpetospermum seed (gser gyi me tog)
Herpetospermum pedunculosum
Photo credit: Karsten Heinrich
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Caution — cucurbitacin-bearing. Cucurbitacins are bitter and can be cytotoxic/GI-irritant in excess; processing is traditional. Treat as a potent medicinal, not casual.
Contraindications: Pregnancy data insufficient (avoid); GI sensitivity; uncertain high-dose safety.
Interactions: Not well documented; theoretical interaction with hepatically-cleared drugs.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy data insufficient — avoid.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction · seed
Part used: seed
pill; processed seed · seed
Part used: seed
powder · seed
Part used: seed
Traditional use: liver-and-gallbladder drug; hepatitis-type bile-heat, jaundice, biliary complaints
Proposed mechanism: cucurbitacins (herpetospermum-type), lignans (herpetin), flavonoids, fatty oil — hepatoprotective/antioxidant, anti-inflammatory
Dosage note (descriptive only): processing is traditional
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not used nutritionally; seed has fatty oil but is a drug.
Healing traditions
Sources (3)
- Li et al. 2018, Tibetan liver-disease review (PMID 29441019)
- Jiang et al. 2024, Front Pharmacol (PMID 39749198)
- Liu et al. 2024, Front Pharmacol (PMID 38455959)