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Watermelon
Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. SI GUA
The watermelon, xi gua (western
melon) is also called han gua (cold melon). It is an annual vine. The fruit
is ball shaped or oval, with a diameter of 200-600mm more or less. The skin
is smooth, glossy and deep green, light green or grey-green, and frequently
shows dark vertical stripes.
The juicy part of the fruit differs with varieties, and may be red, yellow
or white, etc. The flavor is sweet and the moisture content is very high.
The seeds are brown-red or black.
The juicy part of the fruit, including the skin, has a flavor that may be
sweet or insipid. Its nature is cool and it contains no poison. The fruit
can cool the body during hot weather, relieve thirst and benefit the urine.
The seed kernel has a sweet flavor, its nature neither hot nor cold. It is
nourishing, and can moisten the intestines.
The 'frosting' has a salty flavor and a cool nature. It is
cooling during hot weather, and can benefit the throat.
The melon flesh contains fructose, glucose, sucrose, salts (the main
composition of which is sylvite), amino acids, organic acids, enzymes, many
vitamins, lycine, volatile compositions etc.
The seed contains oil, protein, vitamin B2, citrulline, lauric acid,
palmitoleic acid, etc.
APPLICATIONS
1. HEAT STROKE; LACK OF STRENGTH; THIRST WITH VOMITING. Take an appropriate
measure of fruit, crush, squeeze, and obtain the juice. Drink 1-2 cups at
regular intervals until relief is obtained.
2. FEVER, WITH DRY MOUTH AND THIRST; STOMACH FEELING HOT AND A BITTER TASTE
IN THE MOUTH; BAD BREATH. Take 500-1000 grams of melon and eat it. Do this
1-2 times a day.
3. URINE, BRIEF AND YELLOW; PAIN WHEN URINATING; PAIN IN THE URINFEROUS
TUBULE. Take 500-1000 grams of melon and eat it. Do this 2-3 times a day.
4. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Take 30 grams of watermelon skin and 30 grams of
gambir plant (Uncaria rhychophylla). Simmer in water and drink in the place
of tea.
5. DIABETES. Take 30 grams of watermelon skin and 30 grams of winter
melon skin. Steam in water and serve. Do this 3 times a day, every day.
6. NEPHRITIS LEADING TO DROPSY. Take 60 grams of melon skin and 60 grams of
fresh Japanese raspberry root, simmer in water and drink in
place of tea.
7. CONSTIPATION DURING PREGNANCY OR IN THE AGED. Take 15 grams of seed
kernels and crush. Add 15 grams of candied honey and an appropriate amount
of water. Steam in a sealed container for half an hour. Do this once a day
for 3 successive days.
8. WEAKNESS AFTER AN ILLNESS; WEAKNESS AFTER CHILDBIRTH. Take 6 grams of
seed kernels, 6
grams of black sesame seed, 30 grams of rice and 30 grams of brown sugar.
Add water and grind into a paste. Boil (with more water) until cooked and
eat. Do this once a day for 10 days.
9. HANGOVER. Take 500-1000 grams of fruit, slice and eat, or take 60 grams
of skin, steam in water and serve.
10. MOUTH, TONGUE SORE, GUMS SWOLLEN AND SORE; BLISTERS AND FESTERING INSIDE
THE MOUTH. Take some watermelon 'frosting' and apply to the
affected parts.
PREPARATION
1. SEEDS. Collect the seeds, wash and dry in the sun. When required discard
the shell and obtain the kernel.
2. SKIN. Use a knife to cut off the skin, leaving it 5 mm thick, and dry
this in the sun. This is how it is used in traditional medicine.
3. FROSTING. Select a watermelon weighing 2500-3000 grams. Make a hole at
the stem end of the fruit, removing some of the flesh, and place inside
500-700 grams of Glaubers salt. Replace the skin and use a slip of bamboo to
hold it in place so that the hole is sealed. Hang the melon in a cool, well
ventilated place for ten or more days, when a white frosting will be found
to form on the outside. Brush this off and use for medicinal purposes.
WARNING
Do not use the frosting if suffering from a weak stomach or spleen.
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