The most suitable vegetables for summer consumption might immediately bring to mind bitter melon, etc., however, winter melon is also a great vegetable for this season. The ancients were adept at using winter melon for weight loss and beauty. Literature records that oral consumption can nourish the body, aid in weight loss, and enhance beauty, while external use can cleanse the facial and hand skin, moisturize, and whiten it. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that the main substances in winter melon for weight loss are trigonelline and malonic acid. It is also rich in fatty acids and some substances such as urea and saponins. Below are some common methods for weight loss and beauty.
Oral Consumption — Winter Melon Soup: Chop winter melon into pieces, which can be cooked into soup with a variety of foods. Adding adzuki beans to the soup can treat various edemas and promote urination for weight loss. Adding an appropriate amount of chopped loofah, 5 grams of white chrysanthemum, and 5 grams of black fungus to the soup and consuming it regularly can prevent facial pigmentation.
Winter Melon Pulp Soup: Use fresh winter melon pulp to make soup; or dry the winter melon pulp for later use. Decoct a daily dose to drink as a tea substitute, which can promote urination, reduce swelling, and aid in weight loss.
Winter Melon Seeds: An appropriate amount of winter melon seeds, boiled and then sun-dried, repeated three times. Soak in clear wine for a day, then sun-dry again and grind into a fine powder. One spoonful daily can make the skin radiant and brighten the eyes.
External Use — Winter Melon Facial Cleanser: 1 winter melon. Peel and slice, then cook with 750 ml of wine and 500 ml of water until soft. Strain through cloth to remove dregs, simmer to form a paste, add 500g of honey, and simmer again. Store in a ceramic container for later use. When using, mix with water, apply to the face, then rub the face with palms, and rinse with clean water. Treats unclean, dull, and discolored facial skin.
Winter Melon Seed Facial Wash: Sun-dry the winter melon seeds, grind them into a fine powder. Every night before bed, take an appropriate amount, mix with water, and apply to wash the face. It has the effect of reducing pigmentation and moisturizing the skin.
Winter Melon Seed Cream: Sun-dry the winter melon seeds, grind them into a fine powder, and mix with an equal amount of lard to simmer over a low flame into a paste. Apply to the face and hands every morning and evening to moisturize the skin of the face and hands, prevent wrinkles, and whiten.
Winter Melon Pulp Facial Mask: Take fresh winter melon pulp, remove the seeds, and mash into a paste to apply directly to the face. Use 1-2 times a week, for 15 minutes each time, for the effect of preventing wrinkles and removing pigmentation.
Winter Melon and Pork Rib Soup