The efficacy and function of water melon

For many Chinese people, traditional Chinese medicine is very trustworthy because it has a long history and few side effects. Water wax gourd is a common Chinese medicinal material. It has many benefits for human health. So how can we eat water wax gourd? Let’s learn about it below.

[Other names] Toadwood, Pear

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole plant of the Rubiaceae plant.

[Original form] Chickweed, a semi-evergreen or deciduous tree, 6-14m tall. The bark is thick, gray-black, rough, with short vertical and horizontal cracks; the twigs are glabrous. Leaves opposite; petiole 2-3cm long; stipules 2-lobed, lobes rounded, early falling; leaf blade papery, ovate or broadly ovate, 9-15cm long, 4.5-9cm wide, apex short acuminate, base rounded to shallowly cordate, glabrous and shiny above, with short white pubescence below. The inflorescence head is spherical, terminal in racemes, 2-2.3cm in diameter when in full bloom; the peduncle is 2.5-3cm long and smooth; the flowers are 5-part, hairy, 8-9mm long, about 2mm in diameter, and light yellow. The capsule is cuneate, 4-5mm long and 1.5mm in diameter. The flowering period is June-July and the fruit ripening period is September-October.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown in sparse forests on hillsides at an altitude of 350-600m.

[Chemical composition] The bark and xylem contain β-sitosterol, noreugenin, scopoletin and scopolin; the bark also contains benzoic acid.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; promotes blood circulation and relieves blood stasis. It is mainly used for cold and fever; cough due to lung heat; gastroenteritis; dysentery; toothache due to wind and fire; carbuncle and swelling; eczema; traumatic injury; bleeding due to trauma

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-30g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or boil it in water for washing.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is a detailed introduction to water wax gourd. Since it is a Chinese medicinal material, we can eat it with confidence. Water wax gourd has a very good effect on improving all aspects of the human body.