白冬瓜 동아 (백동과)

Original, read line by line 東醫寶鑑 · Tangaek — Decoctions vol. 3

1. 性微寒一云冷, 味甘, 無毒.

   Its nature is slightly cold (some say cold), its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic.

2. 主三消渴疾.

   It treats the three types of wasting-thirst disease, conditions marked by excessive thirst akin to diabetes.

3. 解積熱, 利大小腸, 壓丹石毒, 除水脹, 止心煩.

   It dissipates accumulated heat, regulates the large and small intestines, suppresses the toxicity of mineral elixirs, relieves edema, and calms restless agitation in the chest.

4. 一名地芝.

   It is also called jiji, meaning earth-mushroom.

5. 蔓生.

   It grows as a creeping vine.

6. 結實初則靑綠色, 經霜則皮上白如塗粉, 故云白冬瓜.

   When the fruit first sets it is blue-green, but after the frost a white powdery bloom forms on its skin, which is why it is called white winter melon.

7. 熱者食之佳, 冷者食之瘦人. 《本草》

   It is beneficial for those with a hot constitution, but those of cold constitution who eat it become emaciated. From the Bencao.

8. 久病與陰虛者, 不可食. 《丹心》

   Those with chronic illness or yin deficiency should not eat it. From the Danxin.

9. 子

   On the seeds.

10. 卽冬瓜子也.

    This refers to the seeds of the winter melon.

11. 性平寒, 味甘, 無毒.

    Its nature is neutral-cool, its taste sweet, and it is non-toxic.

12. 潤肌膚, 好顔色, 剝黑䵟, 可作面脂.

    It moisturizes the skin, brightens the complexion, removes dark blemishes, and can be made into a facial oil.

13. 經霜後八月採, 破核取仁, 微炒用之. 《入門》

    Gather them in the eighth lunar month after the frost, crack the shells to take out the kernels, and use them after a light roasting. From the Ipmun.

14. 藤

    On the vine.

15. 燒灰淋汁, 洗黑䵟, 幷洗瘡疥. 《本草》

    Burn the vine to ash, filter the lye, and wash dark blemishes with it, as well as sores and scabies. From the Bencao.

16. 葉

    On the leaves.

17. 殺蜂螫毒. 《本草》

    It neutralizes the toxin of bee stings. From the Bencao.