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Watermelon Seeds
Family:
Cucurbitaceae |
Latin Name:
Citrullus vulgaris |
Description
Native to tropical Africa, its vines grow prostrate, with branched tendrils, deeply cut leaves, and light yellow flowers borne singly in the axil of a leaf. Large melons with green-and-yellow striped rinds follow the flowers.
Common Uses
Watermelon is best known as a thirst-quenching fruit that comes into season when temperatures are at their hottest. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used precisely to counter "summer heat" patterns characterized by excessive sweating, thirst, raised temperature, scanty urine, diarrhea, and irritability or anger. Watermelon fruit and juice soothe these symptoms, increasing urine flow and cleansing the kidneys.
History
Watermelon species have been used in Egypt for more than 4,00 years, figuring in wall paintings dating to the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC). Watermelon is now cultivated on every continent except Antarctica, and the flesh of the melons can range in color from red to orange to yellow.
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