Watermelon is not only excellent for relieving summer heat and quenching thirst, but it is also very nutritious. Its juice contains a variety of nutrients needed by the human body, making it indeed a perfect summer fruit. It is particularly beneficial for those who lose their appetite or suffer from malnutrition during the hot summer days.
When people eat watermelon, they often discard the rind and seeds casually. In fact, they also contain quite a few nutrients. The rind contains invert sugar, and the seeds contain a large amount of fatty oil, most of which is linoleic acid.
The flesh, rind, and seeds of watermelon can all be used for medicinal purposes. In medical books throughout history, there are many records of watermelon being used as medicine. It is believed to have various effects, such as relieving summer heat, quenching thirst, promoting urination, treating bloody dysentery, relieving sore throat, and detoxifying alcohol. Modern research has also proven that watermelon indeed has effects such as relieving summer heat, promoting urination, lowering blood pressure, and expelling parasites, giving it a wide range of medical applications.
For summer heatstroke, with symptoms such as fever, vexation, thirst, and reduced urine; or for other acute febrile diseases with symptoms like high fever, excessive sweating, extreme thirst, restlessness, and painful urination, watermelon is suitable as an adjuvant therapy. You can eat the flesh raw, drink the juice, or take the rind decocted in water. If you suffer from an acute febrile disease in other seasons, taking a decoction of dried watermelon rind (its medicinal name is "Xigua Cuiyi") is also effective.
For patients with high blood pressure, eating watermelon is also beneficial. Using watermelon seeds has a blood pressure-lowering effect. Taking 9-15 grams of watermelon seed kernels, decocted for oral administration, eaten raw, or chewed after being roasted, all have a certain effect in lowering blood pressure.
The watermelon frost sold in Chinese pharmacies is a white crystalline substance produced by mixing watermelon rind with the traditional Chinese medicine mirabilite. When blown and applied to the affected area, it can clear heat and reduce swelling. It is suitable for acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis.