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Non-toxic, climbing vine.

Bai Guazi (White Melon Seeds) (from *Shennong Bencao Jing* [Divine Farmer's Materia Medica]) mainly benefits in making the complexion lustrous and beautiful, tonifying Qi, relieving hunger; long-term use can lighten the body and delay aging. (The above text in vermilion characters is from *Shennong Bencao Jing*).

Relieves irritability.

Excessive consumption leads to abdominal fullness and dissatisfaction; long-term use damages the Middle Jiao (Middle Burner), causing coldness, but it can be processed into facial grease to make the complexion lustrous. (The above text in black characters is recorded by famous physicians).

[Name] Shuizhi (Water Lotus), Baigua (White Melon). Pronounced "ce jiao qie" (phonetic notation).

[Marrow/Vines] Respectfully note: Bai Guazi refers to the seeds of Donggua (Winter Melon) mentioned in the previous entry. Although the skin of Donggua is green, it turns white after frost; its seeds are square, white, and neatly arranged, unlike other melon seeds in shape and color, hence called Bai Guazi. *Suishiji* records collecting rhinoceros-horn-like substances in July for grease, referring to this. The Tang edition reads "Gan Gua" (Sweet Melon), likely due to a graphical error between "Gan" and "Bai". Consulting *Mingyi Bielu* (Recorded Sayings of Famous Physicians), which mentions its use for facial grease, aligns with *Benjing*, confirming this is indeed Donggua Zi (Winter Melon Seed).

[Season] (Growth) Vines sprout in Spring. (Harvest) Collected in August or September.

[Storage] Sun-dried.

[Color] White.

[Taste] Sweet.

[Nature] Neutral, Cold.

[Aroma/Property] Thin aroma, Yin within Yang.

[Processing] (*Tujing Bencao* [Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica] says): Wash clean, grind to extract the kernels.

[Therapeutic Effects] (*Tujing Bencao* says): Grind kernels into powder for topical application on dry, cracked skin. (*Rihuazi Bencao* [Daily Master's Materia Medica] states): Expels wind from the skin and removes dark spots, moistens the skin.

[Combined Therapies] Roast melon seeds, grind into powder, mix with wine to treat chronic injuries that do not heal. ○ Take seven sheng of melon seeds, place in a silk bag, squeeze three times in boiling water, soak overnight in five sheng of vinegar, sun-dry, grind, and sieve. Mix with wine, take one cun cube dose, three times daily. Treats the five labors and seven injuries in men, brightens the eyes, prolongs life, prevents aging. Also, peel, crush, and form pills; take thirty pills on an empty stomach to make the skin white and pure as jade.

Toxic, climbing vine.

Tian Gua (Sweet Melon) relieves thirst and clears irritability and heat. Excessive consumption causes dampness and itching in the genital area, leading to sores; triggers latent cold diseases and deficiency heat; causes abdominal rupture; weakens sinews and bones, resulting in weak hands and feet. Small amounts relieve thirst and promote urination, unblocking congestion in the Sanjiao (Triple Burner); also treats mouth and nose sores. ○ Leaves treat alopecia; crush and apply juice to stimulate hair growth (recorded by famous physicians).

[Marrow/Vines] Respectfully note: Tian Gua is sown in February, vines sprout in March, spreading along the ground, resembling other melons. Yellow flowers bloom in May, bearing fruit beneath them; there are green and white varieties, turning yellow when ripe in autumn. The "Gua Di" (Melon Stalk) mentioned in the next entry refers to the stalk of this green melon.

[Origin] (*Tujing Bencao* says): Grows in the plains and marshes of Songgao; now cultivated in gardens everywhere.

[Season] (Growth) Vines sprout in Spring. (Harvest) Fruits collected in July.

[Usable Parts] Fruit and leaves.

[Color] Green when raw, yellow when ripe.

[Taste] Sweet.

[Nature] Cold.

[Aroma/Property] Thin aroma, Yin within Yang.

[Odor] Fragrant.

[Therapeutic Effects] (*Tangbencao Zhu* [Commentary on Tang Materia Medica] says): Gan Guazi eliminates abdominal accumulations, breaks up pus and blood, and is a key herb for treating internal congestion of the intestines, stomach, and spleen. (Chen Cangqi says): Seeds stop delayed menstruation; remove oil, grind to powder, mix with water and take. (*Mingyi Bielu* says): Peel the melon, eat after meals to clear heat and relieve thirst; boiling the rind for soup is also good. [Tonification] (*Shiliao* [Dietary Therapy] says): Cooked seeds tonify the Middle and benefit Qi, suitable for people. ○ Leaves tonify the Middle.

[Combined Therapies] Grind leaves to powder, mix with wine to treat contusions, fractures, remove blood stasis, and treat pediatric malnutrition (Gan disease). ○ Grind seeds to powder, mix with honey to form pills the size of a date pit. Swallow one pill each morning after rinsing the mouth to treat halitosis; can also be applied to teeth.

[Contraindications] Patients with Hongxiangjiao (Foot Qi / Beriberi) should not eat sweet melon, as the condition will never be cured. Additionally, sweet melons that sink in water in May and those with two stalks are fatal. Excessive consumption causes jaundice, triggers cold diseases, leads to emaciation, and aggravates chronic illnesses. Excessive consumption causes diarrhea and depletes Yang Qi.

[Antidote] To resolve drug potency or bloating from eating melon, enter water to dissolve naturally, or consume salt to turn into water.