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Sweet in taste, slightly cold in nature. It primarily eliminates abdominal distension and water retention, promotes urination, and relieves thirst.

Tao Hongjing stated: It should be harvested after the frost, stored for years, broken open to extract the seeds, washed with water, dried, and then ground to obtain the kernels. Winter melon has a cold and slippery nature; it detoxifies, treats polydipsia (excessive thirst), and relieves irritability. It can be directly crushed, juiced, and taken orally. Current annotations state that this substance, after being subjected to frost, develops a white powder-like coating on its skin, hence the name "White Winter Melon." The previous entry refers to the efficacy of the flesh. Tao's annotation pertains to the seed kernel, which is incorrect. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to *Yaoxing Lun* (Treatise on Drug Properties), noted: The pith of winter melon, after processing, can also be used alone; it is sweet in taste and neutral in nature. Its juice stops irritability and heat. Processed pith suppresses Dan-Shi toxicity (toxicity from mineral drugs), stops heat-induced thirst, benefits the small intestine, eliminates polydipsia, and cures five types of strangury (Lin syndrome). Meng Shen stated: Winter melon tonifies Qi, delays aging, removes chest and heart fullness, and clears heat from the head and face. It is beneficial for those with excess heat; for those with deficiency-cold, it may cause emaciation. Ri Huazi stated: Winter melon is cold and non-toxic. It removes irritability, treats heat in the chest and diaphragm, resolves heat-toxin carbuncles, and rubbing sliced melon on prickly heat is very effective. Leaves kill bees and can be used in beekeeping; they also treat swelling/toxins and bee stings. Vines burned to ash remove dark spots from embroidery, cleanse black stains, and treat sores and scabies. Moist pith can be used for rinsing and bleaching white silk fabrics.

Dietary therapy: Tonifies Qi, delays aging, removes chest and heart fullness. Take seven sheng of melon seeds, same quantity as white melon strips. Suppresses Dan-Shi toxicity. Additionally, take one melon, cook it with tung leaves and pork. Do not eat other foods throughout the winter; one will naturally feel no hunger, and weight may increase three to four times. Alternatively, boiled consumption regulates the Five Zang organs; due to its qi-descending property, it can be consumed long-term. To gain weight, avoid eating it. Meng Shen said: For lung-heat polydipsia, peel Pu melon, chew 2-3 liang after each meal, repeated 5-7 times for good effect. *Qianjin Fang*: Treats pediatric polydipsia and diarrhea by crushing winter melon and drinking the juice. *Zhouhou Fang* (Prescriptions Kept in the Sleeve): For fatal back carbuncle: Take a winter melon, cut off the top, and place it over the wound. Replace the melon when it rots. When the melon is exhausted, the wound will have contracted significantly. Then apply ointment for care. *Duanju Fang*: For fish poisoning, winter melon juice is most effective. Sun Simiao stated: In September, do not eat frost-bitten melons, as it causes reverse stomach disease. *Gujin Luyian*: Treats dysentery following typhoid fever, where fluids are depleted after a long duration, causing edema of the four limbs and dry mouth. Take one winter melon, wrap thickly in yellow clay mud (five inches thick), bake until soft, remove mud, juice, and drink. Effective even in critical early stages. Winter melon can be eaten without limit; it is extraordinarily effective. *Zimu Milu*: For infants aged one to five months experiencing alternating chills and fever, process winter melon, juice, and administer. Yang Shi's obstetrics text for unceasing thirst: Burn winter melon, juice, and drink slowly until finished, repeat if necessary. *Danfang Jingyuan*: Ash from winter melon vines boils mercury and cinnabar, used for quenching copper and tin.

*Yanyi* states: White winter melons are about one or two dou in size. Harvested in winter as vegetables, pressed to remove juice, candied with honey, and served as fruit. For those suffering from back carbuncles and all types of sores/ulcers,