Medicinals
xī guā shuāng / 西瓜霜 / 西瓜霜 / watermelon frost
Latin pharmacognostic name: Citrulli Praeparatio
Alternate English names:
Alternate Chinese names:
Origin: Plant
Use: medicinal
Category: Heat-clearing agents / Heat-clearing fire-draining agents
Properties: Salty, cold.
Channel entry: spleen and lung channels.*
Indications:
Xī guā shuāng clears heat and disperses swelling and is indicated for painful swollen throat and
Dosage & Method:
Topical: 1–2g. It may be insufflated (blown) into the throat, either alone or with other medicinals.
Product Description:
This a white powder made in either of two ways: 1) Select a 3–3.5 kg watermelon, gouge a piece out at the stalk, insert 500g or more of máng xiāo (Natrii Sulfas), replace the gouged-out part, and hang up to air. Within 10 days, a ""frost"" will have formed on the surface of the watermelon, which is then removed for use. 2) Fill an unglazed earthenware pot with alternating layers of chopped fresh watermelon and mirabilite, seal well, and hang up to air. Collect the frost the forms on the outside after several days.
Quality:
Clean white frost without extraneous matter is the best.
Product Area:
All parts of China.
Etymology:
Xī guā shuāng 西瓜霜 literally means ""western melon frost.""