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Donggua Zi (Benincasa Seed)
The flesh of the melon is sweet and cold in nature; the seeds are sweet, neutral in nature, and non-toxic.
*Shennong Bencao Jing* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records that it makes the complexion lustrous and beautiful, tonifies Qi, relieves hunger, lightens the body, and delays aging.
Invention: Donggua (Winter Melon) promotes urination and bowel movements in both the Large Intestine and Small Intestine channels, and suppresses the toxicity of Dan Shi (mineral drugs). Its seeds treat Chang Yong (Intestinal Abscess), remove facial hyperpigmentation, and moisten the skin. When prepared as Mian Zhi (facial cosmetic paste), it embodies the effect of "making the complexion lustrous and beautiful" described in *Shennong Bencao Jing*. Squeezing the juice from the pulp and drinking it treats Wu Lin (Five Types of Dysuria) and suppresses Dan Shi toxicity.

Yue Gua (Yue Melon)
It is Cai Gua (Vegetable Melon), commonly known as Sheng Gua (Raw Melon), can grow over a chi (approx. 33 cm) long, comes in green and white varieties, with the green variety being superior.
Sweet, neutral in nature, slightly toxic.
Invention: Yue Gua originates from the Yue region and is now most abundant in places like Huzhou; it is used only as a vegetable, hence the name Cai Gua. Eating it raw disturbs Qi, causing heart pain, accumulation below the umbilicus, weakness in the legs making walking difficult, and should not be consumed after recovery from epidemic febrile diseases. It is only useful for resolving alcohol toxicity and promoting urination and bowel movements. Burning it to ash and applying it to mouth ulcers or hot sores on the penis works because it resolves heat toxicity and absorbs dampness.

Huang Gua (Cucumber)
Currently named Huang Gua. Zhang Qian introduced the seeds when he traveled to the Western Regions, hence it was originally called Hu Gua (Barbarian Melon). During the Sui Dynasty, to avoid the taboo of Shi Le's name, it was renamed Huang Gua, a usage that continues to this day.
Sweet, cold in nature, slightly toxic.
Invention: Because Huang Gua is sweet and cold, it can clear heat and promote diuresis, and is good at resolving Fire Toxicity. People in the North regard it as a delicacy while sitting on heated kang beds. In the South, people eat it as a vegetable, which is not beneficial to humans; excessive consumption disturbs Qi, triggers chills and fever, induces sores and scabies, causes Hong Jiao Jiao (Hong Kong Foot/athlete's foot or lower limb edema), and leads to upward reversal of deficiency heat. It should not be eaten after an epidemic illness, and children must strictly avoid it, as it causes diarrhea and Gan Accumulation (pediatric malnutrition syndrome). To treat sore throat and swelling, use old Huang Gua, remove the seeds, fill it with Mang Xiao (Mirabilite), dry it in the shade, grind it into powder, and blow a small amount into the affected area. For swelling from beating injuries, place Huang Gua in a porcelain bottle, soak it in river water, and frequently wipe the wound with this water for immediate effect. For Huo Yan Chi Tong (red and painful eyes/acute conjunctivitis), hollow out the interior of old Huang Gua, fill it completely with Mang Xiao, hang it in a cool place until the salt effloresces, scrape it off, store it in a porcelain jar, and leave a few drops for eye application, which is very effective. For scalds and burns, on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, crush Huang Gua, seal it in a bottle, hang it under the eaves to collect the exuded liquid, and brush it onto the wounds. All these uses rely on its sweet and cold nature to resolve toxicity.