Based on literature data, related specimens, commercial samples and field investigation, botanical origin of "bolingguazi" was clarified. Boling guazi was found to be used as a Tibetan medicine in China from 8th century, it was derived from Herpetospermum pedunculosum of cucurbitaceae, and main species of bolingguazi used in most areas of China were H. pednculosura, while seeds of Momordica charantia, Thladiantha setispina and M. cohinchinensis were also available in some areas of China.