Watermelon, a fruit of the gourd family, is a pulpy, juicy and refreshing fruit. It contains the highest amount of water among all fruits. Eating of watermelon regularly during summer helps in quenching thirst. It also helps in preventing the loss of minerals due to excessive perspiration in summer. Due to its superb cooling effect on the body, it prevents the harmful effects of the heat during extreme temperature of the summer season.
Watermelons vary in colour, size and taste. It is believed that the harvesting of watermelon was about 5,000 years ago in Egypt in North Africa. From Egypt, it spread to other countries of the world and today it is available in most continents. In India watermelon is called ‘Tarbuza’ and is grown in almost all parts of the country. The most superior variety of this juicy fruit grows in Rajasthan, where it is called ‘Matira’. Watermelon is cultivated in sandy areas.
Watermelon is a green coloured fruit having white or black seeds and red pulp. Its chemical properties are rich in protein, carbohydrates, sugar, iron, phosphorus and calcium. It is a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. 95 percent of this large sweet fruit is water and it provides 16 calories of energy. The American Heart Association has recognised the nutritional properties of watermelon. In China physicians recommended watermelon to build body fluid, moisten the intestines, decrease thirst and remove excess heat from body. The rind or firm covering of watermelon has a high silicon content and it is used in Chinese medicine for treating diabetes and hypertension. Naturopathic medicine uses the seeds of watermelon to relieve pain while passing urine and to make the passing of urine easier. It is also used in Ayurvedic medicine.
The juice of fresh watermelon mixed with a tablespoon of honey is very much effective in the treatment of cardio-vascular and renal disorders associated with sodium and water retention. Its juice with glucose or honey can be given to persons suffering from all kinds of fevers to supply nutrition and water. Again watermelon juice mixed with fresh limejuice is safely used in dehydration condition due to diarrhoea, dysentery, vomiting, chronic bronchitis, cholera, gastro-enteritis, colitis etc. To improve upon digestion, a glassful of watermelon juice mixed with some black salt and black and black pepper should be taken after lunch. Watermelon is very much effective in reducing the heat from our body. To prevent heat stroke in severe heat conditions of summer, it is essential to take 400-500 ml of watermelon juice. In the morning if we take a glassful of its juice adding some sugar, that will help us get rid of headache caused by exposure to sun’s rays.
Watermelon should not be mixed with cooked diet like rice because it may cause indigestion and diarrhoea. According to Chinese medicine watermelon should be avoided by persons with weak digestion, anaemia and asthma.