Watermelon: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Kalinda (Watermelon) is a popular summer fruit. It is very cooling, thirst-quenching and diuretic. The fruit contains about 90% water with red or yellowish flesh. It is sweet and cooling. The seeds are also used medicinally - they are diuretic and demulcent. Watermelon juice is an excellent summer drink. The fruit is beneficial in Pitta disorders and burning sensation. Dose: As food. Verse: 10.

• Trishnanigrahana (quenches thirst)
• Dahaprashamana (relieves burning)
• Mutrakara (diuretic)

Watermelon is sweet and cooling, with a sweet vipak. It is heavy and diuretic. It provokes kapha and vata, and relieves pitta. It binds the stools and flushes the kidneys. Never eat watermelon within three hours after food. Do not eat it at night or on a cloudy, rainy day for it may cause edema or abdominal pain. Never eat it with any grains because it will affect digestion adversely. Due to its cooling and heavy qualities, watermelon in excess can cause respiratory congestion. Watermelon increases intraocular pressure, hence is not good for anyone suffering from glaucoma. Too much watermelon can inhibit semen.

• Urethritis, cystitis, burning urination: Drink 1 cup of watermelon juice with a pinch of cumin powder, 3 times a day on an empty stomach.
• Kidney pain and stones: Drink 1 cup of watermelon juice with 1/2 teaspoon of coriander powder, 2 to 3 times a day, to flush the kidneys and help remove small stones and crystals.
• Weak muscles: Grind 1/2 cup of fresh watermelon seeds to make a fine pulp. Add 1 teaspoon of natural sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ghee and eat on an empty stomach.
• Skin rash, eczema, allergic skin conditions: Eat the red part of watermelon and rub the white part of the rind on the skin for relief from itching and burning.
• Beautiful skin (wrinkles, acne, eczema): Make a round hole in a medium-sized watermelon. Insert 2 teaspoons of uncooked basmati rice, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon of sandalwood powder, 1/2 teaspoon of edible camphor, a pinch of saffron and 1 teaspoon of lime juice. Close the hole and keep the watermelon in a warm, dry place for a week. Cut open and collect the inner pulp, dry it (not in direct sun). Apply this powder daily to the face for young, beautiful skin.
• Edema in congestive heart conditions: Drink 1 cup of watermelon juice with 1 teaspoon of honey, in the early morning on an empty stomach.