Momordica cochinchinensis.  木 鳖 子 Mù biē zǐ- "Wooden turtle seed"  Gac   Family: Cucurbitaceae       
Gac is a is a Southeast Asian fruit found throughout the region from Southern China to Northeastern Australia, including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its juice is red in color, and used to color and flavor rice in festivals. Recently, the fruit is being used for dietary juice for markets outside of Asia.
Nature- warm  FLAVOR: Bitter and slightly pleasant, bitter and slightly sweet  TOXICITY:  Toxic.
FUNCTIONS
1. Heal swelling, disperse coagulation.[1] Detoxifies.[1]
2. Stimulates digestive function.[1]
3. Promotes good appetite to put on weight.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Accumulation of toxins- Carbuncle, swelling, boil, lymphatic tuberculosis, mastitis.[1,2] Enlarged lymph nodes.[1] Moles.[2] Pus forming ailments, mastitis, hemorrhoids.[1]
2. Worms in small children as well as enteritis and dysentery.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Dry ripe seeds are used for external application.[1]  For taking internally care should be taken  0.6-1.2 g as decoction.[1]
 
NOTES: The seeds are large- around 25 mm across and resemble and resemble the carapace of a turtle, hence the Chinese name.

HABITAT: Grows under open forests or among thickets.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial climbing vine like herb. Subterranean root and rhizome large and fleshy. Stem; slender, long and angled, with non-branching spiral tendrils. Leaves; single alternate, ovate-rounded, 3-5 parted deeply, each lobe ovate, apexes acute, bases on both sides containing a protruding nectary, margins undulate. Flowers; in the summer, light-yellowish, axillary. Fruit; long ellipsoid gourdish melon, red, with numerous soft barbs on the outside. Seeds; black, flat, longitudinally striped
References
[1]. Barefoot Doctor's Manual - 1977 Prepared by the Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. Original Chinese manual- Victor W. Sidel. Originally published by Dr Joseph Quin and the Fogarty International centre, Bethdesda (1974). Madrona Publishers Seattle Washington ISBN 0-914842-52-8
[2] A Complete English Dictionary of Medicinal Terms in Chinese Acupuncture and Herbalism 1981 - Henry Lu Chinese Foundations of Natural Health- The Academy of Oriental Heritage, Vancouver, Canada.
Images
1. b-and-t-world-seeds.com
2. en.wikipedia.org by Andrew Grygus - clovegarden.com/ingred/gd_gacz.html CC by 3.0
3. [1]
4. tcmwiki.com Retrieved 5-Sep-14
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally