典藏书目

Non-toxic.
Pumpkin (Nangua) primarily tonifies the middle jiao and benefits qi (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Origin] (Li Shizhen states) Pumpkin was originally introduced from the Southern Barbarian regions, later spreading to Fujian and Zhejiang; it is now also cultivated in Yanjing and other places. [Vine and Stem Morphology] The vines grow profusely; a single vine can extend over ten zhang. Roots emerge at the nodes, taking hold wherever they touch the ground. The stem is hollow. The leaves resemble those of *Malva verticillata* (Shukui) but are larger than lotus leaves. In the eighth and ninth lunar months, yellow flowers bloom, resembling watermelon flowers. The fruit is perfectly round, as large as a watermelon, with ridges on the skin similar to melons. A single plant can bear dozens of fruits. The seeds resemble winter melon seeds.
[Seasonality] Sowing occurs in the third lunar month; sandy, fertile soil is preferred. Seedlings emerge in the fourth lunar month. After frost, they can be harvested and stored for consumption into spring. [Usage] The flesh is thick and yellow; it must not be eaten raw. It requires peeling and removal of the pulp before boiling. Its taste resembles yam. Cooking it with pork yields superior results. It can also be preserved in honey. [Color] Varieties may be green, yellow, or red. According to Wang Zhen's *Nongshu*, there is a variety in Zhejiang called "Yin Gua" (Shadow Melon), suitable for shady planting. It ripens in autumn with golden-yellow skin, slightly thick rind, allowing storage until spring while remaining fresh. This is suspected to be pumpkin. [Taste] Sweet. [Nature] Warm. [Contraindications] Excessive consumption may trigger beriberi (Hongjiaojiao) and jaundice. It should not be consumed with mutton, as this causes qi stagnation.

Non-toxic.
Bitter melon (Kugua) primarily clears pathogenic heat, relieves fatigue, and brightens the heart and eyes (cited from *Shengsheng Bian*). Its seeds primarily benefit qi and strengthen yang (cited from *Bencao Gangmu*). [Taste] Bitter, sweet. [Names] Jin Lizhi (Brocade Lychee), Lai Putaо (Leper Grape). (Li Shizhen states) Named "bitter" due to its taste; named "gua," "lizhi," and "putao" because its fruit, stems, and leaves resemble lychee and grape plants. [Origin] Originally from the Southern Barbarian regions; now cultivated throughout Fujian and Guangdong. [Vine and Stem Morphology] (Zhou Xianwang states) Jin Lizhi is Lai Putaо. It climbs over vegetation; stems are seven to eight chi long, hairy and rough. Leaves resemble wild grape leaves. It bears yellow flowers. The fruit is egg-sized, wrinkled like a lychee shell. (Li Shizhen states) The vines, stems, leaves, and tendrils resemble grapes. Small fruits grow, ranging from two to five cun in length. The skin is covered in warts, resembling leprosy sores or lychee shells. Upon ripening, it turns yellow and splits open, revealing red pulp enclosing seeds. The pulp is sweet and edible. Seeds are flat, like melon seeds, and also have warts. Southerners boil the green peel with meat and salt/soy sauce as a vegetable; it tastes bitter and astringent with a grassy odor. According to Fei Xin's *Xingcha Shenglan*, in Samudra, there is a premium melon with skin resembling an uncut lychee, smelling foul like rotten garlic when uncut, but tasting sweet and creamy like butter when opened. This is suspected to be bitter melon. [Seasonality] Sown in the fifth lunar month; seedlings emerge. Small yellow flowers with five petals, bowl-shaped, bloom in the seventh and eighth lunar months. [Color] Green. [Taste] Bitter. [Nature] Cold.