Watermelon rind, also known as watermelon green or watermelon peel, is the outer layer of the fruit of the plant Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.et Nakai from the family Cucurbitaceae. It is mentioned in the book "Compendium of Materia Medica". During the summer, watermelon rind is collected and the soft inner part is removed. It is then washed and dried. Some also remove the green outer skin and only use the middle part.
【Processing method】Take the raw material, remove impurities, wash, cut into sections, dry, and sift to remove debris.
【Appearance of the medicinal slices】They are irregular fragments, with the edges often curled inward and some wrinkles. The outer surface is dark green, grayish-yellow, or yellow-brown, with some having dark green stripes. The inner surface is yellow-white to yellow-brown, with a net-like vein pattern. The texture is tough. It has a slight odor and a mild taste.
【Processing function】Watermelon rind has a sweet and cool taste. It belongs to the heart, stomach, and bladder meridians. It has the functions of clearing heat, quenching thirst, and promoting diuresis. It is used for summer heat and restlessness, scanty urination, edema, and oral ulcers. Processing the medicinal slices makes them clean and facilitates the preparation and dissolution of ingredients.
