（《纲目》）
【集解】时珍曰∶瓢乃匏壶破开为之者，近世方药亦时用之，当以苦瓠者为佳，年久者
尤妙。
【气味】苦，平，无毒。
【主治】消胀杀虫，治痔漏下血，崩中带下赤白（时珍）。
【附方】新六。
中满鼓胀∶用三、五年陈壶卢瓢一个，以糯米一斗作酒，待熟，以瓢于炭火上炙热，入
酒浸之，如此三、五次，将瓢烧存性，研末。每服三钱，酒下，神效。（余居士《选奇方》）。
大便下血∶败瓢（烧存性）、黄连等分。研末。每空心温酒服二钱。（《简便方》）。
赤白崩中∶旧壶卢瓢（炒存性）、莲房（ 存性）等分。研末。每服二钱，热水调服。
三服，有汗为度，即止。甚者五服止，最妙。忌房事、发物、生冷。（《海上方》）。
脑漏流脓∶破瓢、白鸡冠花、白螺蛳壳（各烧存性）等分，血竭、麝香各五分，为末。
以好酒洒湿熟艾，连药揉成饼，贴在顶门上，以熨斗熨之，以愈为度。（孙氏《集效方》）。
腋下瘤瘿∶用长柄茶壶卢烧存性，研末搽之，以消为度。一府校老妪右腋生一瘤，渐长
至尺许，其状如长瓠子，久而溃烂。一方士教以此法用之，遂出水，消尽而愈。（《濒湖集
简方》）。
汤火伤灼∶旧壶卢瓢，烧灰敷之。（同上）
（《本经》上品）
【校正】今并入白瓜子。
【释名】白瓜（《本经》）、
水芝（同上）、地芝（《广雅》）。
志曰∶冬瓜经霜后，皮上白如粉涂，其子亦白，故名白冬瓜，而子云白瓜子也。
时珍曰∶冬瓜，以其冬熟也。又贾思勰云∶冬瓜正二、三月种之。若十月种者，结瓜
肥好，乃胜春种。则冬瓜之名或又以此也。
《别录》曰∶冬瓜，原附于《本经》瓜子之下。宋《开宝本草》加作白瓜子，复分白冬
瓜为《别录》一种。遂致诸注辩说纷纷，今并为一。
【集解】《别录》曰∶白瓜子生嵩高平泽，冬瓜仁也。八月采之。
颂曰∶今处处园圃莳之。其实生苗蔓下，大者如斗而更长，皮浓而有毛，初生正青绿，
经霜则白粉。人家多藏蓄弥年，作菜果。入药须霜后取，置之经年，破出核洗，燥乃擂取仁
用之。亦堪单作服饵。
时珍曰∶冬瓜三月生苗引蔓，大叶团而有尖，茎叶皆有刺毛。六、七月开黄花，结实
大者径尺余，长三、四尺，嫩时绿色有毛，老则苍色有粉，其皮坚浓，其肉肥白。其瓤谓之
瓜练，白虚如絮，可以浣练衣服。其子谓之瓜犀，在瓤中成列。霜后取之，其肉可煮为茹，
可蜜为果。其子仁亦可食。盖兼蔬、果之用。凡收瓜忌酒、漆、麝香及糯米，触之必烂。
白冬瓜
【气味】甘，微寒，无毒。
弘景曰∶冷利。
【主治】小腹水胀，利小便，止渴（《别录》）。
捣汁服，止消渴烦闷，解毒（弘景）。益气耐老，除心胸满，去头面热（孟诜）。消热毒
痈肿。切片摩痱子，甚良（大明）。利大小肠，压丹石毒（苏颂）。
【发明】诜曰∶热者食之佳，冷者食之瘦人。煮食练五脏，为其下气故也。欲得体瘦轻
健者，则可长食之；若要肥，则勿食也。
宗 曰∶凡患发背及一切痈疽者，削一大块置疮上，热则易之，分散热毒瓦斯甚良。
震亨曰∶冬瓜，性走而急。寇氏谓其分散热毒瓦斯，盖亦取其走而性急也。久病者、阴虚
者忌之。孙真人言∶九月勿食，令人反胃。须被霜食之乃佳。
诜曰∶取瓜一颗，和桐叶与猪食之，一冬更不要与诸物食，自然不饥，长三、四倍也。
【附方】旧七，新七。
积热消渴∶白瓜去皮，每食后吃三、二两，五七度良。（孟诜《食疗》）。
消渴不止∶冬瓜一枚削皮，埋湿地中，一月取出，破开取清水日饮之。或烧熟绞汁饮之。
（《圣济总录》）。
消渴骨蒸∶大冬瓜一枚去瓤，入黄连末填满，安瓮内，待瓜消尽，同研，丸梧子大。每
服三、四十丸，煎冬瓜汤下。（《经验》）。
产后痢渴∶久病津液枯竭，四肢浮肿，口舌干燥。用冬瓜一枚，黄土泥浓五寸，煨熟绞
汁饮。亦治伤寒痢渴。（《古今录验》）。
小儿渴利∶冬瓜汁饮之。（《千金》）。
小儿 病，寒热如疳∶用冬瓜、 蓄各四两，水二升，煎汤浴之。（《千金方》）。
婴孩寒热∶冬瓜炮熟，绞汁饮。（《子母秘录》）。
水病危急∶冬瓜不拘多少，任意吃之，神效无比。（《兵部手集》）。
十种水气，浮肿喘满∶用大冬瓜一枚，切盖去瓤，以赤小豆填满，盖合签定，以纸筋泥
固济，晒干，用糯糠两大箩，入瓜在内，煨至火尽，取出切片，同豆焙干为末，水糊丸梧子
大。每服七十丸，煎冬瓜子汤下，日三服，小便利为度。（《杨氏家藏方》）。发背欲死∶冬
瓜，截去头，合疮上。瓜烂，截去更合之。瓜未尽，疮已
小敛矣。乃用膏贴之。（《肘后方》）。
痔疮肿痛∶冬瓜煎汤洗之。（《袖珍方》）。
马汗入疮∶干冬瓜烧研，洗净敷之。
食鱼中毒∶冬瓜汁饮之，良。（《短剧方》）。
面黑令白∶冬瓜一个，竹刀去皮切片，酒一升半，水一升，煮烂滤去滓，熬成膏，瓶收。
每夜涂之。（《圣济总录》）
瓜练（瓤也）
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
【主治】绞汁服，止烦躁热渴，利小肠，治五淋，压丹石毒（甄权）。
洗面澡身，去 ，令人悦泽白皙（时珍）。
【附方】新二。
消渴烦乱∶冬瓜瓤（干者）一两，水煎饮。（《圣惠方》）。
水肿烦渴∶小便少者。冬瓜白瓤，水煎汁，淡饮之。（《圣济总录》）
白瓜子
《别录》曰∶冬瓜仁也。八月采之。
【正误】恭曰∶此甘瓜也。甘字似白字，后人误写耳。当改从甘字。
志曰∶《本草》注∶白瓜子，冬瓜仁也。苏氏所言，殊为孟浪。且甘瓜即甜瓜，亦有青
、白二种。其子色黄，主疗与冬瓜全异。但冬瓜经霜有白衣，其子亦白，白瓜之号因斯而得。
况诸方惟用冬瓜子，不见用甘瓜子者。苏说不可凭也。
【气味】甘，平，无毒。
《别录》曰∶寒。久服寒中。
【主治】令人悦泽好颜色，益气不饥。久服，轻身耐老（《本经》）。除烦满不乐。可作
面脂（《别录》）。去皮肤风及黑 ，润肌肤（大明）。治肠痈（时珍）。
【发明】颂曰∶冬瓜仁，亦堪单作服饵。又研末作汤饮，及作面脂药，并令人颜色光泽。
宗懔《荆楚岁时记》云∶七月，采瓜犀以为面脂。即瓜瓣也。亦堪作澡豆。
宗 曰∶服食方亦稀用之。
【附方】旧四，新四。
服食法∶取冬瓜仁七升，以绢袋盛，投三沸汤中，须臾取曝干，如此三度，又与清苦酒
渍之一宿，曝干为末，日服方寸匕。令人肥悦明目，延年不老。又法∶取子三五升，去皮为
丸，空心日服三十丸。令人白净如玉。（孟诜《食疗》）。
补肝明目，治男子五劳七伤，明目。用冬瓜仁，方同上。（《外台秘要》）。悦泽面容∶
白瓜仁五两，桃花四两，白杨皮二两，为末。食后饮服方寸匕，日三服。欲白加瓜仁，欲红
加桃花。三十日面白，五十日手足俱白。一方有橘皮，无杨皮。（《肘后方》）。多年损伤，
不瘥者∶瓜子末，温酒服之。（孙真人方）。
消渴不止，小便多∶用干冬瓜子、麦门冬、黄连各二两，水煎饮之。冬瓜苗叶俱治消渴，
不拘新干。（《摘玄方》）。
男子白浊∶陈冬瓜仁炒为末，每空心米饮服五钱。（《救急易方》）。
女子白带∶方同上。
瓜皮
【主治】可作丸服，亦入面脂（苏颂）。主驴马汗入疮肿痛，阴干为末涂之。又主折伤
损痛（时珍）。
【附方】新二。
跌扑伤损∶用干冬瓜皮一两，真牛皮胶一两，锉入锅内炒存性，研末。
每服五钱，好酒热服。仍饮酒一瓯，浓盖取微汗。其痛即止，一宿如初，极效。（《摘
玄方》）。
损伤腰痛∶冬瓜皮烧研，酒服一钱。（《生生编》）
叶
【主治】治肿毒，杀蜂，疗蜂叮（大明）。
主消渴，疟疾寒热。又焙研，敷多年恶疮（时珍）。
【附方】新一。
积热泻痢∶冬瓜叶嫩心，拖面煎饼食之。（《海上名方》）
藤
【主治】烧灰，可出绣黥。煎汤，洗黑 并疮疥（大明）。捣汁服，解木耳毒。煎水，
洗脱肛。烧灰，可淬铜、铁，伏砒石（时珍）。
【《本草纲目》】
【集解】李时珍说：瓢是用匏壶剖开制成的，近世的方药中也时常使用它，应当以苦瓠（一种味苦的葫芦科植物）制作的为佳，存放年代久远的尤其好。
【气味】味苦，性平，无毒。
【主治】消除胀气、杀虫，治疗痔疮漏管下血，以及妇女崩漏带下赤白（李时珍）。
【附方】新增六首。
中满鼓胀：取三至五年陈旧的壶卢瓢一个，用一斗糯米酿酒，待酒酿熟后，将瓢放在炭火上烤热，浸入酒中，如此反复三四次，最后将瓢烧至存性（即外部焦黑内部保留药效），研成粉末。每次服用三钱，用酒送服，效果神奇。（余居士《选奇方》）。
大便下血：败瓢（烧至存性）、黄连各等分。研成粉末。每次空腹时用温酒送服二钱。（《简便方》）。
赤白崩中：旧壶卢瓢（炒至存性）、莲房（煅至存性）各等分。研成粉末。每次服用二钱，用热水调服。服用三次，以出汗为度，症状即止。严重者服用五次即可停止，最为妙法。忌食房事、发物及生冷食物。（《海上方》）。
脑漏流脓：破瓢、白鸡冠花、白螺蛳壳（各烧至存性）各等分，血竭、麝香各五分，研成粉末。用好酒洒湿熟艾，连同药物揉成饼状，贴在顶门上，用熨斗熨烫，以痊愈为度。（孙氏《集效方》）。
腋下瘤瘿：用长柄茶壶卢烧至存性，研末外搽，以消散为度。有一府校的老年妇女右腋生一肿瘤，逐渐长到一尺多长，形状像长葫芦，日久溃烂。一位道士教以此法使用，遂流出水液，肿瘤完全消散而痊愈。（《濒湖集简方》）。
汤火伤灼：旧壶卢瓢，烧成灰敷患处。（同上）
（《神农本草经》上品）
【校正】现并入白瓜子项下。
【释名】白瓜（《本经》）、
水芝（同上）、地芝（《广雅》）。
陶弘景说：冬瓜经过霜冻后，皮上白如粉涂，其子也白，所以名叫白冬瓜，而种子称为白瓜子。
李时珍说：冬瓜，因为它在冬天成熟。另外贾思勰说：冬瓜正二月种植。如果在十月种植，结出的瓜肥大美好，胜过春季种植的。那么冬瓜的名字或许又因此而来。
《名医别录》说：冬瓜，原本附在《本经》瓜子之下。宋代《开宝本草》增加作白瓜子，又将白冬瓜分为《别录》中的一种。于是导致各种注释辩说纷纷，现在合并为一类。
【集解】《名医别录》说：白瓜子生长在嵩高平原沼泽地带，是冬瓜仁。八月采集。
苏颂说：如今各地园圃都种植它。果实生在藤蔓下，大的像斗一样大且更长，皮厚且有毛，初生时正青绿色，经霜后变白粉。人家多收藏经年，作为菜果。入药必须经霜后采摘，放置经年，剖开取出核洗净，干燥后研磨取仁使用。也可以单独作为食品服用。
李时珍说：冬瓜三月生苗引蔓，大叶团而有尖，茎叶都有刺毛。六、七月开黄花，结实大的直径一尺多，长三四尺，嫩时绿色有毛，老则苍色有粉，皮坚厚，肉肥白。其瓤称为瓜练，白色空虚如絮，可以用来浣洗衣服。其子称为瓜犀，在瓤中成列。霜后采收，其肉可以煮为蔬菜，可以蜜渍为水果。其子仁也可以食用。大概兼具蔬菜和水果的用途。凡是收瓜忌讳酒、漆、麝香及糯米，触犯必烂。
白冬瓜
【气味】味甘，微寒，无毒。
陶弘景说：性冷利。
【主治】小腹胀水，利尿，止渴（《名医别录》）。
捣汁服用，止消渴烦闷，解毒（陶弘景）。益气耐老，除心胸满闷，去头面热（孟诜）。消热毒痈肿。切片摩擦痱子，很好（寇宗奭）。利大小肠，压制丹石毒（苏颂）。
【发明】孟诜说：热者吃它好，冷者吃它使人消瘦。煮食能锻炼五脏，因为它是下气的缘故。想要身体瘦轻健的人，就可以长期食用；如果想要肥胖，就不要吃。
寇宗奭说：凡是患发背及一切痈疽的人，削一大块放在疮上，热了就更换，分散热毒瓦斯非常好。
朱震亨说：冬瓜，性走而急。寇氏说它分散热毒瓦斯，大概也是取其走而性急。久病者、阴虚者忌用。孙真人说：九月不要吃，令人反胃。必须经霜后吃才好。
孟诜说：取瓜一颗，和桐叶给猪吃，整个冬天不要再给其他食物吃，自然不饿，体重增长三四倍。
【附方】旧七首，新七首。
积热消渴：白瓜去皮，每餐饭后吃二三两，五七次良好。（孟诜《食疗》）。
消渴不止：冬瓜一枚削皮，埋在湿地中，一个月取出，剖开取清水每天饮用。或者烧熟绞汁饮用。（《圣济总录》）。
消渴骨蒸：大冬瓜一枚去瓤，填入黄连末填满，放在瓮内，待瓜消尽，一起研磨，做成梧桐子大小的丸剂。每次服用三四十丸，煎冬瓜汤送下。（《经验方》）。
产后痢渴：久病津液枯竭，四肢浮肿，口舌干燥。用冬瓜一枚，黄土泥厚五寸，煨熟绞汁饮用。也治疗伤寒痢疾口渴。（《古今录验》）。
小儿渴利：喝冬瓜汁。（《千金方》）。
小儿疳病，寒热如疳：用冬瓜、萹蓄各四两，水二升，煎汤洗澡。（《千金方》）。
婴孩寒热：冬瓜炮熟，绞汁饮用。（《子母秘录》）。
水病危急：冬瓜不拘多少，任意吃它，效果无比神奇。（《兵部手集》）。
十种水气，浮肿喘满：用大冬瓜一枚，切盖去瓤，以赤小豆填满，盖合固定，用纸筋泥密封固济，晒干，用糯糠两大箩，放入瓜在内，煨至火尽，取出切片，同豆焙干为末，水糊丸梧桐子大。每次服用七十丸，煎冬瓜子汤送下，每日三次，以小便利为度。（《杨氏家藏方》）。发背欲死：冬瓜，截去头，贴合疮上。瓜烂了，截去再贴合。瓜未尽，疮已小敛。然后用膏药贴之。（《肘后方》）。
痔疮肿痛：冬瓜煎汤清洗。（《袖珍方》）。
马汗入疮：干冬瓜烧研，洗净敷之。
食鱼中毒：喝冬瓜汁，有效。（《短剧方》）。
面黑令白：冬瓜一个，竹刀去皮切片，酒一升半，水一升，煮烂滤去渣，熬成膏，瓶收。每晚涂抹。（《圣济总录》）
瓜练（瓤也）
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
【主治】绞汁服用，止烦躁热渴，利小肠，治五淋，压丹石毒（甄权）。
洗面澡身，去色斑，令人悦泽白皙（李时珍）。
【附方】新增二首。
消渴烦乱：冬瓜瓤（干的）一两，水煎饮。（《圣惠方》）。
水肿烦渴：小便少者。冬瓜白瓤，水煎汁，淡饮之。（《圣济总录》）
白瓜子
《名医别录》说：是冬瓜仁。八月采集。
【正误】恭说：这是甘瓜。甘字似白字，后人误写罢了。应当改从甘字。
陶弘景说：《本草》注：白瓜子，是冬瓜仁。苏颂所说，非常鲁莽。而且甘瓜即甜瓜，也有青、白两种。其子色黄，主治与冬瓜完全不同。只是冬瓜经霜有白衣，其子也白，白瓜的名号因此得来。况且各方只使用冬瓜子，没见使用甘瓜子的人。苏说的不可凭信。
【气味】味甘，性平，无毒。
《名医别录》说：性寒。久服寒中。
【主治】令人悦泽好颜色，益气不饥。久服，轻身耐老（《本经》）。除烦满不乐。可作面脂（《别录》）。去皮肤风及黑斑，润肌肤（寇宗奭）。治肠痈（李时珍）。
【发明】苏颂说：冬瓜仁，也可以单独作为食品服用。又研末作汤饮，及作面脂药，都令人颜色光泽。宗懔《荆楚岁时记》说：七月，采瓜犀以为面脂。就是瓜瓣。也可以作澡豆。
寇宗奭说：服食方也很少使用它。
【附方】旧四首，新四首。
服食法：取冬瓜仁七升，用绢袋盛，投入三沸汤中，片刻取出晒干，如此三次，再用清苦酒浸泡一夜，晒干为末，每天服用方寸匕。令人肥悦明目，延年不老。又法：取子三五升，去皮为丸，空腹每天服用三十丸。令人白净如玉。（孟诜《食疗》）。
补肝明目，治男子五劳七伤，明目。用冬瓜仁，方法同上。（《外台秘要》）。悦泽面容：
白瓜仁五两，桃花四两，白杨皮二两，为末。食后饮水送服方寸匕，每日三次。想要白加瓜仁，想要红加桃花。三十日面白，五十日手足俱白。一方有橘皮，无杨皮。（《肘后方》）。多年损伤，不愈者：瓜子末，温酒服之。（孙真人方）。
消渴不止，小便多：用干冬瓜子、麦门冬、黄连各二两，水煎饮之。冬瓜苗叶都治消渴，不拘新干。（《摘玄方》）。
男子白浊：陈冬瓜仁炒为末，每次空腹米饮服五钱。（《救急易方》）。
女子白带：方同上。
瓜皮
【主治】可作丸服，也入面脂（苏颂）。主驴马汗入疮肿痛，阴干为末涂之。又主折伤损痛（李时珍）。
【附方】新增二首。
跌扑伤损：用干冬瓜皮一两，真牛皮胶一两，锉入锅内炒至存性，研末。
每次服用五钱，好酒热服。仍饮酒一瓯，浓盖取微汗。其痛即止，一宿如初，极有效。（《摘玄方》）。
损伤腰痛：冬瓜皮烧研，酒服一钱。（《生生编》）
叶
【主治】治肿毒，杀蜂，疗蜂叮（寇宗奭）。
主消渴，疟疾寒热。又焙研，敷多年恶疮（李时珍）。
【附方】新增一首。
积热泻痢：冬瓜叶嫩心，拖面煎饼食之。（《海上名方》）
藤
【主治】烧灰，可出绣黥。煎汤，洗黑斑并疮疥（寇宗奭）。捣汁服，解木耳毒。煎水，洗脱肛。烧灰，可淬铜、铁，伏砒石（李时珍）。
[Compendium of Materia Medica]
[Collected Explanations] Li Shizhen said: The gourd ladle (Piao) is made by splitting open a calabash gourd. It is also occasionally used in modern prescriptions, and those made from the bitter gourd (Ku Hu, a type of bitter cucurbit) are preferred; those stored for many years are especially good.
[Flavor and Properties] Bitter, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Reduces distension, expels parasites, treats hemorrhoids with fistula and bleeding, and leukorrhea with red and white discharge (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Six new ones.
Abdominal fullness and bloating: Take one three- to five-year-old aged calabash gourd ladle, make wine from one dou of glutinous rice. When the wine is ready, heat the ladle over charcoal fire, soak it in the wine, repeating this three or four times. Finally, burn the ladle until only its essence remains (burned to retain properties), and grind into powder. Take three qian each time, washed down with wine. Miraculous effect. (Yu Jushi's *Xuanqi Fang*).
Blood in stool: Burned old gourd ladle (burned to retain properties) and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian) in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take two qian each time on an empty stomach with warm wine. (*Jianbian Fang*).
Red and white metrorrhagia: Old calabash gourd ladle (stir-fried to retain properties) and lotus sepal (charred to retain properties) in equal parts. Grind into powder. Take two qian each time, mixed with hot water. After three doses, sweating indicates the end of treatment. For severe cases, five doses suffice; this is most excellent. Avoid sexual intercourse, stimulating foods, and raw/cold foods. (*Hai Shang Fang*).
Brain leakage with pus: Broken gourd ladle, White cockscomb flower (Bai Jiguan Hua), and White snail shell (Bai Luosi Qiao) (each burned to retain properties) in equal parts, plus Xuejie (Dragon's Blood) and Moschus (Shexiang) 5 fen each. Grind into powder. Moisten prepared mugwort leaf (Shu Ai) with good wine, mix with the medicine, knead into a cake, and apply to the top of the head. Iron it with a heating iron until healed. (Sun Shi's *Jixiao Fang*).
Axillary tumors and goiters: Burn long-handled tea gourd to retain properties, grind into powder, and apply externally until resolved. An elderly woman in a prefectural school had a tumor in her right armpit that grew to over a chi in length, shaped like a long gourd, and ulcerated after a long time. A Daoist priest taught her this method, resulting in fluid discharge, complete resolution, and cure. (*Binhu Jijian Fang*).
Scalds and burns: Old calabash gourd ladle, burned to ash and applied. (Same as above)
(Shennong Bencao Jing, Upper Grade)
[Correction] Now merged under Bai Guazi (White Melon Seeds).
[Names] White melon (Bencao Jing),
Water Zhi (ibid.), Earth Zhi (Guangya).
Tao Hongjing said: After frost, winter melon has a white powdery coating on its skin, and its seeds are also white, hence the name "White Winter Melon," and the seeds are called "White Melon Seeds."
Li Shizhen said: Winter melon is named so because it ripens in winter. Additionally, Jia Sixie stated: Plant winter melon in the second and third lunar months. If planted in the tenth month, the fruits are plump and superior to spring plantings. Thus, the name might also derive from this.
*Ben Cao Jing* says: Winter melon was originally listed under the seeds section of *Ben Cao Jing*. The Song Dynasty's *Kaibao Bencao* added it as Bai Guazi (White Melon Seeds) and separated Bai Donggua (White Winter Melon) as a distinct entry in *Bielu*. This led to various conflicting commentaries; now they are merged into one category.
[Collected Explanations] *Bielu* says: Bai Guazi grows in the plains and marshes of Songgao; it is the seed of the winter melon. Harvest in August.
Su Song said: It is cultivated in gardens everywhere. The fruit grows beneath the vines; large ones can be as big as a bushel and longer. The skin is thick and hairy, initially bright green, turning white with powder after frost. Families often store them for years to use as vegetables or fruits. For medicinal use, harvest after frost, store for years, break open, remove seeds, wash, dry, and grind to extract the kernels. They can also be consumed alone as food.
Li Shizhen said: Winter melon vines sprout in the third lunar month. Leaves are large, round with pointed tips; stems and leaves have prickly hairs. Yellow flowers bloom in the sixth and seventh lunar months. Fruits are large, over a chi in diameter and three to four chi long. Young fruits are green and hairy; mature ones are grayish-white with powder. The skin is thick and hard; the flesh is fat and white. The pulp is called "Gua Lian" (melon lining), which is white, hollow, and cotton-like, suitable for washing clothes. The seeds are called "Gua Xi," arranged in rows within the pulp. Harvest after frost; the flesh can be cooked as a vegetable or preserved in honey as fruit. The kernels are edible. It serves both as a vegetable and a fruit. When harvesting, avoid contact with wine, lacquer, musk, and glutinous rice, as these cause rotting.
White Winter Melon
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, slightly cold, non-toxic.
Tao Hongjing said: Cold and purgative.
[Indications] Abdominal water swelling, promotes urination, relieves thirst (*Bielu*).
Juice taken orally stops polydipsia with irritability and detoxifies (Tao Hongjing). Tonifies qi, enhances longevity, removes chest/heart fullness, clears heat from head and face (Meng Shen). Clears heat toxins and carbuncles. Slices rubbed on prickly heat are very effective (Kou Zongshi). Benefits large and small intestines, counters mineral drug toxicity (Su Song).
[Elucidation] Meng Shen said: Good for those with heat conditions; causes emaciation in those with cold conditions. Boiled, it regulates the five zang organs due to its qi-descending property. To maintain a lean and agile physique, consume it regularly; to gain weight, avoid it.
Kou Zongshi said: For patients with back carbuncles or any abscesses, place a large slice on the wound; replace when hot. It effectively disperses heat toxins.
Zhu Zhenheng said: Winter melon moves quickly and acts urgently. Kou's statement about dispersing heat toxins aligns with its quick-moving nature. Contraindicated for chronic illness and yin deficiency. Sun Simiao said: Do not eat in the ninth lunar month as it causes regurgitation. Best eaten after frost.
Meng Shen said: Feed a winter melon to a pig along with tung tree leaves, and no other food for the winter; the pig will not feel hungry and will grow three to four times larger.
[Attached Prescriptions] Seven old, seven new.
Accumulated heat and polydipsia: Peel white melon, eat two to three liang after each meal. Effective after five to seven doses. (Meng Shen's *Shiliao*).
Unstoppable polydipsia: Peel one winter melon, bury in wet soil for one month. Retrieve, break open, drink the clear juice daily. Or cook thoroughly, squeeze juice, and drink. (*Shengji Zonglu*).
Polydipsia with bone-steaming fever: Remove pulp from one large winter melon, fill with Coptis powder, place in a jar. Wait until the melon dissolves completely, then grind together and make pills the size of wutong seeds. Take 30-40 pills each time, washed down with winter melon decoction. (*Jingyan Fang*).
Postpartum dysentery and thirst: Chronic illness depletes fluids, causing limb edema and dry mouth/tongue. Use one winter melon, wrap in thick yellow clay mud (five cun thick), bake until soft, squeeze juice, and drink. Also treats typhoid dysentery with thirst. (*Gujin Luyan*).
Children's thirst and diarrhea: Drink winter melon juice. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Children's malnutrition disease with chills and fever resembling malnutrition: Use four liang of winter melon and four liang of Polygonum aviculare (Bianxu), decoct in two sheng of water for bathing. (*Qianjin Fang*).
Infant chills and fever: Roast winter melon, squeeze juice, and drink. (*Zimu Milu*).
Critical water retention disease: Eat winter melon freely without limit. Extremely effective. (*Bingbu Shouji*).
Ten types of water qi, edema with wheezing/fullness: Cut off the top of one large winter melon, remove pulp, fill with Adzuki beans (Chixiaodou). Seal tightly, coat with paper-mud paste, and dry. Place in two large baskets of glutinous rice husks, bake until the fire burns out. Remove, slice, dry-roast with beans, grind to powder, and make pills with water paste the size of wutong seeds. Take 70 pills each time, washed down with winter melon seed decoction, three times daily, until urination improves. (*Yangshi Jiacang Fang*). Fatal back carbuncle: Cut off the top of a winter melon, place over the wound. Replace when the melon rots. Before the melon is fully consumed, the wound will begin to close. Then apply ointment. (*Zhouhou Fang*).
Hemorrhoid swelling and pain: Wash with winter melon decoction. (*Xiuzhen Fang*).
Horse sweat entering a wound: Grind dried winter melon to powder, clean the wound, and apply.
Fish poisoning: Drink winter melon juice. Effective. (*Duanju Fang*).
Dark complexion to fair: One winter melon, peel with bamboo knife, slice. Decoct in one and a half sheng of wine and one sheng of water until soft. Filter dregs, boil down to a paste, store in a bottle. Apply nightly. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
Melon Pulp (Lining)
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
[Indications] Juice stops irritability, heat, and thirst; benefits small intestine; treats five stranguries; counters mineral drug toxicity (Zhen Quan).
Washing face and body removes spots, making skin radiant and fair (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Two new ones.
Polydipsia with confusion: One liang of dried winter melon pulp, decoct in water and drink. (*Shenghui Fang*).
Edema with irritability and thirst (with low urine output): Decoct white winter melon pulp in water, drink lightly. (*Shengji Zonglu*)
White Melon Seeds
*Bielu* says: These are winter melon kernels. Harvest in August.
[Correction of Errors] Gong said: This refers to sweet melon. The character "sweet" (Gan) resembles "white" (Bai); later scribes wrote it incorrectly. It should be corrected to "sweet."
Tao Hongjing said: The commentary in *Bencao* states: Bai Guazi are winter melon kernels. Su Song's remarks are reckless. Sweet melons (Tian Gua) also come in green and white varieties, with yellow seeds, and their therapeutic effects differ entirely from winter melon. However, winter melon has a white coating after frost, and its seeds are white, hence the name "White Melon." Moreover, prescriptions only use winter melon seeds, never sweet melon seeds. Su's view is unreliable.
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral, non-toxic.
*Bielu* says: Cold. Long-term use causes internal cold.
[Indications] Makes skin radiant and beautiful, tonifies qi, prevents hunger. Long-term use lightens the body and delays aging (*Bencao Jing*). Relieves irritability and depression. Can be used as facial cream (*Bielu*). Removes wind from skin and dark spots, moistens skin (Kou Zongshi). Treats intestinal abscesses (Li Shizhen).
[Elucidation] Su Song said: Winter melon kernels can be consumed alone. Ground into powder for tea or facial creams, they improve complexion and luster. Zong Lin's *Jingchu Suishi Ji* states: In July, collect melon kernels for facial cream. These are the melon seeds. They can also be used as bath beans.
Kou Zongshi said: Rarely used in dietary therapy formulas.
[Attached Prescriptions] Four old, four new.
Dietary Therapy Method: Take seven sheng of winter melon kernels, place in a silk bag, dip in boiling water briefly, remove, and dry. Repeat three times. Soak in clear sour vinegar overnight, dry, and grind to powder. Take one fangcun bi daily. Promotes plumpness, bright eyes, longevity, and anti-aging. Another method: Take three to five sheng of seeds, remove shells, make pills, take thirty pills on an empty stomach daily. Makes skin white and jade-like. (Meng Shen's *Shiliao*).
Tonifies liver, brightens eyes, treats male five exhaustion and seven injuries, brightens eyes. Use winter melon kernels, same method as above. (*Waitai Miyao*). Radiant Complexion:
Five liang of white melon kernels, four liang of peach blossoms, two liang of white poplar bark. Grind to powder. Take one fangcun bi after meals with water, three times daily. Add more melon kernel for whitening, more peach blossom for reddening. Skin becomes white in 30 days, hands and feet in 50 days. One formula includes tangerine peel instead of poplar bark. (*Zhouhou Fang*). Chronic injuries not healing: Take melon seed powder, wash down with warm wine. (Sun Simiao's Formula).
Unstoppable polydipsia with frequent urination: Use two liang each of dried winter melon seeds, Ophiopogon Tuber (Maidong), and Coptis Rhizome (Huanglian). Decoct in water and drink. Winter melon shoots and leaves also treat polydipsia, fresh or dried. (*Zhaxuan Fang*).
Male cloudy urine: Stir-fry aged winter melon kernels to powder, take five qian on an empty stomach with rice water. (*Jiuji Yifang*).
Female leukorrhea: Same formula as above.
Melon Rind
[Indications] Can be made into pills or used in facial creams (Su Song). Treats swelling and pain from horse/donkey sweat entering wounds; dry, grind to powder, and apply. Also treats fractures and contusions (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] Two new ones.
Falls and contusions: One liang of dried winter melon rind, one liang of genuine ox-hide glue. Chop and stir-fry in a pot until essence remains, grind to powder.
Take five qian each time with good hot wine. Drink one cup of wine, cover warmly to induce slight sweating. Pain stops immediately; recovery overnight. Extremely effective. (*Zhaxuan Fang*).
Traumatic lower back pain: Burn winter melon rind to powder, take one qian with wine. (*Shengsheng Bian*)
Leaves
[Indications] Treats toxic swellings, kills bees, treats bee stings (Kou Zongshi).
Treats polydipsia, malaria with chills and fever. Roasted and ground, applied to chronic malignant ulcers (Li Shizhen).
[Attached Prescriptions] One new one.
Accumulated heat with diarrhea and dysentery: Tender heart of winter melon leaves, coated in flour, pan-fried, and eaten. (*Haishang Mingfang*)
Vines
[Indications] Burned to ash, removes tattoo marks. Decocted, washes away dark spots, sores, and scabies (Kou Zongshi). Juice treats wood ear mushroom poisoning. Water washes rectal prolapse. Ash quenches copper and iron, neutralizes arsenic (Li Shizhen).