It is the only member of the genus Benincasa. The fruit is covered in a fuzzy coating of fine hairs when young. The immature melon has thick white flesh that tastes sweet. By maturity, the fruit loses its hairs and develops a waxy coating, giving rise to the name wax gourd. The wax coating helps to give the fruit a long shelf life. The melon may grow as large as 80 cm in length. It has yellow flowers and broad leaves.^[rx]

It is native to South and Southeast Asia. The wax gourd is widely grown throughout Asia,^[rx] including Java and Japan,^[rx] the places where it is thought to have originated.^[rx]

Winter melon (Benincasa hispida) is a widely cultivated plant in the family, Cucurbitaceae. Winter melon is a vine-like flowering plant that is originally from South Asia and Southeast Asia but now grows throughout Asia. The vine bears the fruits which are used as culinary vegetables. Winter melon was brought to Europe during the Renaissance period. Winter melon comes in various types such as Giant Wax Gourd, Small Round, Winter Melon Round, and Winter Melon Oblong. Winter melon is also called Wax Gourd, Ash Gourd, Chinese Water Melon, Chinese Preserving Melon, Joined Gourd, Gourd Melon, Tallow Gourd, Winter Melon, Winter Gourd, and White Pumpkin. Different countries have different names of Winter melon such as Chinese: Pai Gua, Dong Gua; Nepalese: Petha, Kubiindo; Pakistan: Petha and Turkish: Mom Kabagi.

Winter melons are large fruit that is consumed as a vegetable and are found during the cold seasons. Due to its large size, it is marketed in slice form. The young ones have sweet taste whereas the mature ones are tasteless. It is rich in water texture. It possesses a large seed.

Plant

Winter melon is an annual, hispid, robust, and monoecious climbing plant with the terete, thick, furrowed, and clumsily hairy stem. The vines can grow upto 1-2 m. (3-6 ft.). The plant has rounded or kidney-shaped leaves with 5 to 7 lobed and heart-shaped at the base with the diameter of leaves 10 to 25 centimeters. The flowers are large, yellow with hairy bell-shaped calyx tube. The tree bears the flowers during July – September. The plant grows in warm tropical and subtropical climates. It thrives in light, friable and well-drained soil. It has a long shelf life.

Fruit

Often green in color with chalky white wax; fruits can be ovoid or ellipsoid in shape. Winter melon is about 25 – 40 cm in length and weighs upto 30 pounds. The fruit has got thin skin along with juicy and sweet interior flesh which is usually white with flat, ovate-elliptic, ridged, and yellowish-brown seeds. The fruit possesses a mild aroma that is not prominent. Winter melon is found during the cold season.

Nutritional value:

Winter melon is loaded with nutrition. It contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B3, and Vitamin C. It also possesses various minerals such as calcium, sodium, zinc, iron, phosphorus, manganese, copper, magnesium, selenium, and potassium. Due to its high content in potassium, it helps to maintain blood pressure levels. It contains nearly 96% water. One should add this vegetable to the weight loss diet.

Health Benefits of Winter melon

Winter melon is used as a part of traditional Chinese medicine. It acts as a diuretic that reduces the swelling. It is helpful for treating kidney weakness and hypertension. It works great for losing weight. It is also effective to treat snakebites and mercury poisoning. Winter melon is a good source of amino acids, natural sugars, minerals, organic acids, and vitamins.

1. Eliminates free radicals

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that prevents damage caused by free radicals, pollutants, and toxic elements. Free radicals are formed in the body when the food is broken down or when exposed to tobacco, smoke, or radiation. The buildup of free radicals contributes to the health ailments such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.

2. Prevents flu and cold

Vitamin C promotes the immunity function of the body which prevents the viruses of cold and flu. The evidence shows that the presence of Vitamin C in the Winter melon reduces the chances of lung infections and pneumonia.

3. Reduce the chances of stroke

The study of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that the people who intake an adequate amount of Vitamin C, their chances of stroke were reduced by 42%. Winter melon possesses Vitamin C by 19.11% which helps to reduce the risk of stroke.

4. Prevents migraines

Vitamin B2 deals with the headaches caused by migraines. It is shown that the frequency of migraines, pain and symptoms are reduced with the intake of Vitamin B2 which is also found in Winter melon. It also shortens the duration of migraine headaches.

5. Eye health

The studies show that eye problems are related to the deficiency of riboflavin. Vitamin B2 forbids the eye ailments such as keratoconus, cataracts, and glaucoma. The research shows the correlation between the consumption of riboflavin and the reduction in eye disorders.

6. Maintains energy levels

Vitamin B2 is required for the proper functioning of the nerve, brain, digestive, and hormones. The absence of Vitamin B2 leads to the improper digestion of protein, fat, and carbohydrate foods. So, it is essential for the repair and growth of the body. It converts the nutrients into energy which provides a healthy metabolism.

Riboflavin also maintains the proper activity of the thyroid and adrenal. The deficiency of riboflavin increases the chances of thyroid ailments. It also calms the nervous system, chronic stress and regulates the hormones.

7. Digestive health

The dietary fiber in Winter melon enhances digestive function. It allows the stool and bulk to pass through the digestive system. It forbids digestive diseases such as colon cancer, diverticulitis, and inflammatory bowel.

8. Heart health

Soluble fiber lowers the absorption of cholesterols and fat in the body. It eliminates the bile which is made from cholesterol. Therefore, it reduces the overall cholesterol stored in the body.

9. Maintains the cognitive function

Iron helps to transport oxygen to the brain which supports brain function. The fact is that brain uses the 20% of the oxygen in the body. The deficiency of iron results in mental problems and harms memory. The deficiency of iron may cause learning difficulties in infants and children.

Traditional uses

All the parts of the plant are useful for medicinal purposes. The Ayurvedic system of medicine uses it in Kusmanda lehyam to treat nervous disorders and epilepsy. Ayurveda uses Winter Melon to cure peptic ulcers. In India, it is used to treat the health ailments such as gastrointestinal problems, dyspepsia, and asthma, burning sensation, heart diseases, cough, ulcers, diabetes mellitus, urinary diseases, and gastrointestinal problems. In Sri Lanka, it is also used to antidote the vegetable poisons and also treats hiccough, asthma, insanity, cholera, anthelmintic, delicacies, cough, and diabetes. The people of Korea use it to treat diuresis diseases and diabetic compilations. Winter melon is used in China for skin softening and moisturizing, to treat facial blemishes, anti-aging skin, and anti-wrinkle properties, and also to prevent sun damage. Traditional Chinese medicine uses it for curing inflammation and hypertension. The people of China use the peel for thirst and oliguria, edema with oliguria caused by summer heat. It could also be used for tonic, diuretic, laxative, and cooling purposes. The Philippines uses it for treating tuberculosis and for demulcent, astringent and styptic purposes. The seeds are also used in the form of vermifuge.

How to Eat

Winter melon could be added to the stir-fries by steaming, simmering, parboiled, or braised. It is also added with strong herbs and spices to the soups. It could be candied or diced.

Precautions

Winter melon should be consumed in lower amounts as it may result in indigestion due to the presence of high proteins. Mint leaves, jeera, cloves, dry ginger could be used as an antidote for the side effects of Winter melon. The consumption of Winter melon should be avoided by pregnant women during the initial months.

References