Eating watermelon rinds drives away summer heat symptoms

What is watermelon rind(Xi Gua Pi)? Medicinally it mainly refers to the mesocarp of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. This is a member in the genus citrullus of Cucurbitaceae family. The processing steps are to peel the epicarp and pulp residue, wash, and dry. Besides, watermelon seeds are also used medicinally.

Dried rind is thin and curled. It is in cylindrical or irregular shapes and of different sizes, with yellow, yellow-green or dark brown outer surface and inner surface with reticular vascular bundle lines. IT is brittle and easily broken. Those without the outer peel are irregularly blocky, wrinkled and curled, with sallow surface, clear wrinkles, and reticular vascular bundles. And it is slightly odorous and almost tasteless.

Watermelon rind benefits
Modern pharmacology shows that citrulline contained can promote the formation of urea in rat liver. So, it has a diuretic effect and can be used to treat nephritis edema, jaundice due to liver disease, and diabetes. In addition, it can still alleviate fever, promote wound healing and promote skin metabolism. In summary, 7 major health benefits of eating watermelon rind are as follows

1) U.S. researchers recently found that watermelon is more than just an ordinary fruit since it contains an amino acid called citrulline. This interesting topic actually stems from the fact that citrulline is found with similar pharmacological effects with Viagra. That being said, citrulline acts like an aphrodisiac by increasing the amount of blood that enters the cavernosa and promoting the release of nitric oxide. Is watermelon rind better than Viagra? Well, this is a good question. It must be said, though, that eating watermelon alone won’t be highly effective, which is consistent with the results of the latest research – you must eat at least 30 watermelons to have the same effect of a Viagra. So, long term use of it is a good idea if you know how to use it to make delicious dishes;

2) In summer days the scorching sun may make some people feel a variety of symptoms like chest discomfort, low spirits, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, weight loss, fever and so on. And these symptoms won’t go away if the hot weather continues, and what’s worse, they would just come the following summer. In fact, this series of symptoms are not caused by organic cause but the invasion of human body by summer-heat and damp and thus the repression of spleen-stomach Qi, according to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. These symptoms are mainly found in children who drink too much and women who have a sedentary living. And watermelon peel is one of those healthy foods that can be of help;

3) Acne is kind of skin disease that occurs in the hair-follicle sebaceous glands. The causes of acne vary, but the most direct factor is the clogged pores. After the pores are blocked, grease inside the hair follicles fails to drain out and piles up to form small acne. Due to different response of the individuals, the extent of damage caused by acne is different. And the clinical performance is not always the same either. Some people only have small acne, but some others have severe cysts, which in the end will lead to acne marks or even scars. For those acne caused by heat, eating watermelon rinds can be a good way to go;