Common Chinese Name: 冬瓜, Dong Gua
Common English Name: Winter melon, wax gourd
Common Form: Large melon/squash with either a snowy light green or waxy dark green skin and white flesh in the center with tan seeds. They are usually sold in slices because they are huge.
TCM Five Flavors: Sweet, bland
TCM Energetics: Slightly cold
Meridian Affiliation: Lung, Large Intestine, Small Intestine, Bladder
Nutritional Science:
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Nutrients: calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, beta-carotene, vitamin B & C
TCM Benefits:
- Promotes urination, benefits UTI, painful urination, and urination difficulty
- Clears heat and hot flush, quench thirst
- Relieves irritability
- Benefit diabetic patients
- Helps with weight loss
Cooking Suggestions:
- Cut off the tough outer skin, remove inner seeds, and the fluffy part around the seeds (compost or discard)
- Stir fry, stew, add to soup
- It can also be made into a sweet beverage called "dong gua cha" 冬瓜茶
Notes and Safety:
- Generally, it is very safe if consumed in moderation
- Best suitable from April to September
