Benincasa hispida  冬 瓜  Dōng guā   Wax gourd   Family: Cucurbitaceae    
Grown throughout China. The surface of the gourd is usually covered with a waxy exudation, by which it is distinguished in name in nearly every language.
   
冬 瓜 子 Dōng guā zǐ    Wax gourd seed kernel 
Nature: Cool, Cold    FLAVOR: Sweet   CHANNELS: Lung, Stomach, Large Intestine, Small Intestine
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Diuretic
1. Clear Heat.[2,5,6]
2. Drains Dampness.[2,5,6]
3. Transform sputum, drain off pus.[2] Expels sputum and promotes the discharge of pus.[6]
ACTIONS
Diuretic. Antiinfection.[5] Demulcent.[7] Tonic- after prolonged use, preventing hunger and prolonging life.[7]
INDICATIONS
1. Heat that has accumulated in the Lungs or intestines.[6] Cough with thick yellow sputum.[2,6]Pulmonary abscess.[2] Toxic Heat.[5] Assistant herb for treating Lung Damp Heat cough.[5] Clear pus and Heat in Lung abscess- Similar to Coix lachryma- Yi yi ren- For Full Heat condition.[5]
2. Damp Heat with Phlegm obstruction in the upper or lower Burner; Intestinal abscess.[6]
3. Especially useful for Damp Heat vaginal discharge.[6] Appendicitis, whitish vaginal discharge.[2]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Use with cuation in cases of Damp Cold or loose stools.[6]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Dried ripe seed  9-30 g.[2] 6-12 g.[5] 3-12 g.[6] Good quality is full, round, and white. Only the kernels seem to be used.[7]
    
冬 瓜 皮 Dōng guā pí   Wax gourd peel  
Similar to wax gourd melon- however it has greater effects.[3]
Nature: Cool     FLAVOR: Pleasant, Sweet   CHANNELS: Stomach, Small Intestine, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Diuretic
1. Promote diuresis to relieve edema.[6]
2. Facilitates pus drainage.[1] Heal swelling.
3. Clear away summer heat. Clear Heat.[6]
4. Clears Lung, resolves Phlegm.[1]
5. Moisturises.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Edema. Dysuria. Diminished urination.
2. Summer Heat or Heat with thirst oliguria and reddish urine.[6]
3. Lung abscesses to promote expectoration or purulent and blood stained sputum.[1]
4. Ulcerations of the intestines to relieve abdominal pain, constipation and retention of purulent mucus, and difficulty in bowel movement and urination.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction 15-30 g.[3,6] Decoction 9-15 g each dose.[1] Dried fruit peel 9-30 g.[4]

- Relieve all kinds of edema associated with diminished urination, including kidney disease, heart disease, beriberi, and cirrhotic ascites- Boil 100 g wax gourd peel until it becomes syrup. Drink it in large quantities each day.[3]

冬 瓜 Dōng guā   Wax gourd melon flesh- harvested late Summer or early Autumn when the fruit has ripened. 
Nature- cool   FLAVOR:  Slightly sweet, neutral    CHANNEL: Lung, Large intestine ,Small intestine, Urinary bladder
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Diuretic.
1. Diuretic.[2,3,4,7] Relief of thirst.[7]
2. Clearing away phlegm.[2,4] Eliminates mucus.[3]
3. Removing pathogenic Heat and the poisonous quality of any substance.[1,4] Detoxicates.[3]
4. Promote bowel movements.[3]
INDICATIONS
1. Edema.[1,3,4] Beriberi.[1,3,4] Dysuria.[1,4]
2. Coughs and asthma with rale (rattle).[1,4]
3. Restlessness due to Summer Heat, diabetes, diarrhea, dysentery, carbuncle and swelling.[1,4] Sunstroke.[3] Relief of fevers.[7]
4. Counteracting fish poisoning, alcohol toxin.[1,4] Alcoholism.[3]
5. Obesity.[1]
6. Topical application- relief when rubbed on acne and "prickly heat".[7]
The pulp is used as a demulcent both internal and external use. It is added to baths for the treatment of pimples and pickly heat.[7] It is also regarded as diuretic, and is used in the treatment of gravel (small urinary stones).[7]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Cold physical conditions, impotence of sexual inadequacies, such as seminal emission.[1]
Spleen/Stomach Deficiency, Kidney Cold deficiency, or lingering diarrhea resulting from a long standing illness.[4]
PREPARATIONS: To be decocted, or eaten stewed, or made into medicated diet.[2]
- Raw wax gourd can be applied externally to the affected part. Cool natured, it should not be eaten raw.[4]
- Relieve sunstroke and thirst- Pound melon to get its fresh juice for drinking.[3]
- Promote urination and bowel movements, cure edema, beriberi, and hemorrhoids- Boil 100 g wax gourd over low heat. Drink it as soup. Or bake a wax gourd until its skin appears charred. Take 30 g each time, twice a day. Or eat cooked wax gourd on a regular basis.[3]

References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Gastroprotective effect of Benincasa hispida fruit extract
Manish A. Rachchh and Sunita M. Jain
Objectives:
The antiulcer activity of Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn. fruit was evaluated in rats against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, pylorus ligated (PL) gastric ulcers, and cold restraint-stress (CRS)-induced gastric ulcer models.
Methods:
Petroleum ether and methanol extracts were administrated orally at the dose of 300 mg/kg, and omeprazole (reference standard) at the dose of 20 mg/kg. Ulcer index was common parameter studied in all the models. Further, vascular permeability was evaluated in ethanol model, and effect on lipid peroxidation, viz. melondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were studied in CRS model.
Results:
Both the extracts produced significant reduction in ulcer index (P < 0.05) in all the models and the results were comparable with that of omeprazole-treated group. Further, significant reduction in vascular permeability (P < 0.05) was observed. In CRS model, MDA content was significantly reduced along with increase in CAT levels as compared to control group.
Conclusions:
Petroleum ether and methanol extracts of B. hispida possess significant antiulcer as well as antioxidant property.
Indian J Pharmacol. 2008 Nov-Dec; 40(6): 271–275.     doi: 10.4103/0253-7613.45154  PMCID: PMC3025145