Hello dear readers. Cucumis melo is a well-known culture related to melons, the unique fruits of which are valued all over the world, and in some countries they practically have “the weight of gold”. For example, in China, this is the most expensive delicacy, for a kilogram of which you will have to pay from 30 to 50 euros. Not a bad idea for a business. It remains only to resolve the issue of melon exports to this country. Oh yes! You may not be aware of: we are talking about the melon. Cucumis melo is its official botanical name. Its pulp is just perfect: it is extremely fragrant, sweet, very juicy, full of dozens of various vitamins and minerals that have a very positive effect on health positive impact. Naturally, there are dozens of varieties of this culture, each of which differs in its gastronomic characteristics, color scheme, and appearance.
But, almost every one of them will appeal to lovers of useful healthy food. Coming into the world from ancient india, adored and widely cultivated in Ancient Egypt and Asia, in Russia, the melon appeared presumably in the XII century.
And since then, her story has not stopped. What makes this culture so respected? She owes this to her taste, aroma, benefits! This is worth talking about in more detail.
The unique chemical composition of the melon
As already noted, it is due to the composition of the melon that it has a positive effect on the human body.
What does it include (briefly):
✔ Vitamins: A, C, E, group B (especially a lot of vitamin B9!), others;
✔ Minerals: zinc, iodine, iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, copper, silicon and many others;
✔ Carotene, fructose, fiber, organic acids (in particular, citric and malic acids);
✔ Essential oils (especially a lot - in seeds).
Melon - useful properties and all the health benefits
It is used in cooking, cosmetology, traditional medicine, dietetics. Let's start with the last item: dietetics. So, melon, despite its nutritional value, promotes weight loss.
Calories 100 grams product - about 32 kcal.
It may differ in one direction or another, depending on growing conditions, harvest time, storage method and other conditions.
The unique properties of melon are due to its composition, including dietary ones. But, about the composition - a little later. And now - about its properties that promote weight loss.
Melon in dietetics
Melon, in this context, contributes to:
Improving metabolic processes in the body
Accelerating the metabolism, its pulp directly improves the process of using the energy accumulated in the cells, directly catalyzing the consumption of body fat;
Saturation
This is very nutritional product. But, it carries in itself, by and large, only substances that are positive for the body and your figure. That is, it promotes saturation on a long period time, without clogging the body with unnecessary empty calories and toxins;
Colon cleansing
From his condition, 30-50% depends on the condition of your waist. Body weight depends on how efficiently the gastrointestinal tract, and in particular the intestine itself, digests the food it receives and assimilates it. Partially cleansing the intestines from toxins, melon improves it general state and promotes weight loss!
Melon mono-diet or melon for weight loss
Its essence lies in the fact that you need to arrange "melon" days for yourself once every 7-8 days, eating on such a day the pulp of its fruits for 1400-1600.
At the same time, on the same days, it is necessary to drink at least 2.5 liters of liquid (ideally, it should be high-quality drinking water).
As a result of such efforts, you can lose from 4 to 7 kilograms. excess weight, provided that you stick to this diet for at least two months in a row.
Both during the diet and during the "prophylactic" days, the entire amount of the product (1400-1600 grams) should be divided into 6 even portions, consuming them throughout the day. The last meal (fetal pulp) should be no later than 19.00!
After all, despite all its advantages, it is a rather difficult product to digest. A mono-diet involves the exclusion of the use of other foods, except for those included in the diet itself.
Therefore, apart from melon, you should not eat anything else on such days. Only a small amount of low-fat is allowed natural yogurt if the feeling of hunger is very strong.
Melon in cooking
They use it in different types. Most often - in raw, fresh. This is the tastiest and most beneficial for health.
And you can also dry it, dry it, make candied fruits out of it, cook jams and marmalades, add to pastries, make juice, and so on.
Dried or fresh melon is included in yogurt and even added to tea. In principle, there are no restrictions on its culinary use.
However, you should be aware that dairy products, in particular fresh milk, are poorly tolerated by the body, in combination with fresh melon fruits. Yogurt does not apply to this rule.
Melon in cosmetology
Its application in this area is no less extensive than in the culinary one. Here sheDY plays the role effective antiseptic, cleanser, moisturizer, anti-stress, anti-aging. Can be used in the form of masks, wraps.
Masks are used for the face, wraps, respectively, for any other parts of the body, externally.
Melon well improves hair structure, solves most skin problems, cleanses pores, accelerates the regeneration of soft tissues, and exfoliates already dead cells.
For both skin and hair, it can be used simply as a slurry prepared from the pulp of a ripe fruit.
For hair
To obtain it, you must use a blender, food processor, or you can do it manually. The gruel is applied to the hair 1-3 times a week, aged up to 30 minutes, washed off warm water. It can be applied to the skin for 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week, after which it should also be washed off with water at room temperature.
For skin
For the skin, as needed, you can apply a nourishing natural cream after the procedure. The gruel can be used on an ongoing basis, but every month taking breaks for at least 1 week.
Note! Melon, despite all its benefits, can, although rarely, be a provocateur of allergic rashes.
Therefore, you need to use it only when you make sure that you do not have allergies when you apply it externally. And it is not recommended to apply such procedures to children under 15 years of age.
How to whiten skin with melon
If you want to whiten your skin, dried melon and powdered milk. They must be mixed in equal proportions, in required quantities, dilute with drinking warm water, stir until smooth.
Apply as a mask 3 times a week, washing off with warm water or a decoction of field chamomile. The course is 3-4 weeks.
How to make melon flour
To pre-cook melon flour, you need to dry its pulp, along with seeds, grind it in a blender to a state of flour.
Melon with cucumber for face
It is used for the face and skin of other parts of the body. It is necessary to take the pulp of the fruit in equal proportions, grind them on a blender to a mushy state. Everything is ready! You can use it on an ongoing basis, once a week, or in courses - for 4 weeks, 2-3 times in 7-8 days.
As you can see, the preparation of melon-based products is not long or difficult. Everything is done very quickly, it is applied simply, and the effect is really amazing. Use on health.
Melon - treatment and use in traditional medicine
Its fruits have a tremendous effect on the body. What is the main beneficial features melons? Let's get a look:
Tonic effect: for mind and body
That is, when using melon, thought processes proceed faster, and physical strength and endurance, activity - increase;
Diuretic effect
This is very important with excessive accumulation of fluid in the body. This - positive moment and for those who want to reduce their body weight, and for those who suffer from swelling of soft tissues, limbs, and for those who suffer from hypertension, or are at risk;
Choleretic
The outflow of bile, stable and regular, is the key to the health of the gastrointestinal tract and its uninterrupted operation. Sometimes it gets broken.
Bile may be produced in insufficient quantities or stagnate in the bladder. Melon solves these problems. Use it with caution in violation of the patency of the bile ducts;
General strengthening effect
Saturating every cell of the body with vitamins and mineral salts, other substances necessary for it, these fruits have a pronounced restorative action, which also manifests itself in the enhancement immune protection, and in improving the condition of each organ in particular;
mild laxative effect
At chronic constipation melon is recommended to be consumed regularly. It, in many cases, allows you to do without the use of medicines laxative action. The same is true for hemorrhoids, for example, and for a number of other ailments;
Cleansing effect for the intestines, and for the whole organism as a whole
Melon is able to rid the intestines of toxins accumulated in it, and body cells from substances that are toxic to them, which are bound and excreted. naturally from soft tissues. The blood will be partially freed from harmful cholesterol;
Help in hematopoiesis
It happens continuously. Dozens of substances are involved in these processes, which are intensively consumed and must be stably present in the body.
Their entry there provides melon pulp, which, by the way, can be partially consumed along with seeds, it is only desirable to crack them;
Positive effect on the nervous system
Strengthening the musculoskeletal system
Most of all, this applies to the joints, which will become stronger and free from rheumatism, gout and other ailments that are very common today.
List beneficial effect on the body of a melon can be very long. It is also useful for anemia, colds and infectious, viral diseases for the prevention of kidney stones and gallbladder, wrinkles and acne, cancer prevention and so on.
But, let's better consider a few specific recipes!
Recipes for health
The health benefits of melon are obvious, but there are traditional medicine recipes that are used for treatment. And the melon renders pretty positive result on the body.
It has a melon and certain contraindications, as well as warnings for use.
Among them:
✔ Diabetes mellitus (consumption in minimal quantities can be discussed with the doctor on an individual basis).
✔ Diarrhea (since the fruits help thin the stool).
✔ stomach ulcer or duodenum, gastritis.
✔ Breastfeeding - lactation (use in minimal quantities and in the absence of negative reactions from the child's body!).
✔ It is advisable not to combine this product with alcoholic drinks. Although it is tasty, it is very harmful.
✔ It is better not to eat melon on an empty stomach, especially in the morning.
Also, avoid it, or limit your use, when individual intolerance and try never to eat it with milk.
Otherwise, there are no obvious restrictions or contraindications.
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Melon - a plant of the Cucurbitaceae family, a species of the genus Cucumber, melon culture, false berry.
The homeland of the melon is Africa and the East Indies. Melon is a warm and light-loving plant, resistant to soil salinity and drought, does not tolerate high humidity. On one plant, depending on the variety and place of cultivation, from two to eight fruits can be formed, weighing from 1.5 to 10 kg. Melon fruits are spherical or cylindrical in shape, green, yellow, brown or white in color, usually with green stripes. The aging period is from two to six months.
The earliest information about melon dates back to hoary antiquity (the Arabian Peninsula, Ancient Egypt), in the Middle Ages in the countries of the Muslim world (Central and Western Asia) it was perhaps the most popular food product, especially during the period of long fasting before the Ramadan holiday, when the Koran prescribes only vegetable food. Already in the XII-XIII centuries. melon is known in Russia.
melon calories
The calorie content of raw melon is only 35 kcal per 100 g of product, so it is shown to absolutely everyone, including obese people. However, it is worth remembering that it stimulates the appetite. Also, do not get carried away with dried melon, 100 g of which contains 341 kcal. Her overuse can lead to overweight.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
Useful properties of melon
The chemical composition of melon depends largely on the variety. The pulp of the fruit contains sugar (up to 16-18 and even 20%), carotene, vitamin B9,,, provitamin A, a large number of folic acid and iron (which largely determines medicinal properties melons), pectins, fats, mineral salts.
Both the pulp and the melon seeds contain up to 30% fatty oil, which is quite suitable for food use. In addition, melon has a beneficial effect on digestion process, and folic acid is involved in hematopoiesis. Melon is very useful for atherosclerosis, anemia, cardiovascular diseases.
How remedy melon has been used for a long time and very widely. Ancient Russian "herbalists" recommended its pulp for stomach diseases, various mental disorders ah (in a state of depression), with tuberculosis, rheumatism, scurvy, gout, as an anti-inflammatory, antitussive and anthelmintic. A decoction of melon seed in milk, folk healers have prescribed and continue to prescribe for urinary retention, with stones Bladder, and melon juice - with constipation and hemorrhoids. An aqueous infusion of the seeds, which is famous as an effective diuretic and mild laxative, is very useful in diseases of the kidneys, liver and bladder.
As you know, melon quenches thirst well, calms the nervous system. Nutritionists prescribe it as a therapeutic diet for anemia, cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, kidney and liver diseases (healing properties are explained by the high content of vitamins B9 and C, iron and potassium salts).
Healing properties melons depend on its ripeness. For example, insufficiently ripened fruits are not recommended for patients with stomach ulcers and acute gastritis. It is not recommended to eat melon on an empty stomach - it is considered safest to eat melon in the interval between meals so that it can mix with other foods eaten.
In folk medicine, melon has long been prescribed to malnourished patients, especially after past illnesses liver, after operations. Melon is generally famous for its ability to cure ailments that are not customary to advertise.
Once upon a time, gonorrhea was treated with a decoction of the seeds, and the stomach was cleansed with a decoction of the peel and roots.
Today, melon juice or its pulp is recommended by nutritionists to improve digestion. In addition, this is an excellent remedy for helminths - especially for children.
From the pulp of the melon, nourishing and tonic masks are also prepared. If melon masks (crushed pulp) are used regularly for a month, a maximum of one and a half months, the skin becomes elastic, takes on a white-ruddy color with a matte tint.
Dangerous properties of melon
Melon is contraindicated for nursing mothers (it can cause severe dyspepsia in the baby), with sugar
Yellow-sided, small and insanely sweet, melons are one of the most delicious fruits in the world. summer time. The benefits of melon have been known for a long time. It's not only delicious product, but also a healthy, vitamin-rich fruit. Today we will talk about how to properly apply it to improve health and prevent diseases.
The chemical composition of melon
Melon in its composition contains a large amount of vitamins, microelements, macroelements. It should be noted that melon is a rather low-calorie product.
Let's take a closer look at the composition of the melon. 100 g of melon contains:
melon macronutrients: sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium.
trace elements: cobalt, fluorine, manganese, iodine, zinc, copper, iron.
Calorie content and beneficial properties of melon
The melon contains a large amount of saturated fatty acids(0.1 g/100 g), ash (0.6 g/100 g), starch (0.1 g/100 g), mono- and disaccharides (7.3 g/100 g), organic acids (0 .2 g / 100 g), dietary fiber (0.9 g / 100 g), carbohydrates (7.4 g / 100 g), fats (0.3 g / 100 g), proteins (0.6 g / 100 G). The total calorie content of 100 g of melon is 35 kcal.
Melon seeds and the pulp itself contain a large amount of folic acid, which has a good effect on digestion. The sugar content determines beneficial effect on the mood, it is also recommended to use it in large quantities with mental disorders.
Did you know?The healing properties of melon also depend on the degree of ripeness of the fruit. For example, unripe melon is recommended for indigestion.
Everyone without exception is used for treatment: pulp - for nervous system, of cardio-vascular system and stomach, peel - to cleanse the stomach, and gonorrhea is treated with an infusion of seeds.
This product is a very strong anthelmintic.
The use of melon in folk medicine for diseases
Melon is used in almost every field of medicine, from the treatment of the cardiovascular system to hair, skin and face care. Diet food also involves the use of melons.
Cough and upper respiratory diseases
Melon contains a large amount of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
The cough may be wet or dry. Melon will help in both cases: it will bring out phlegm when wet cough and soften the throat when dry, preventing damage to the walls of the throat. The use of melon seeds together with honey is especially effective.
Very good for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the upper respiratory tract melon milk which you can cook at home. The recipe is very simple: dried seeds should be ground in a mortar and mixed with water in a ratio of 1:8. Sugar is added to this mass to taste and a quarter cup is drunk 30 minutes before a meal.
kidney disease
If you are faced with a problem such as kidney disease, then you need to choose the right diet food and the melon will be for you in this good helper, especially if we take into account the diuretic property of melon, which is necessary for kidney disease.
In kidney disease, it is often recommended to use melon seed infusion, which has a "cleaning" property. This infusion is prepared in this way: a glass of ground seeds in a mortar is poured with 3 liters of boiled water at room temperature and insisted for a day.
When treated in this way, slight pains may occur, but this is the result of the right direction.Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a disease that can occur in both men and women. And the melon is delicious and useful product in the treatment of gonorrhea.
Usually, in this case, melon seeds that need to be preliminarily dry and loosen.One teaspoon of melon seed powder should be poured with 300 ml of boiling water and simmered for 20 minutes. This decoction should be taken 1 tablespoon once a day before eating. The course of such treatment is 20 days.
Diabetes
– great dessert substitute for sick people diabetes 2 types. Melon is low glycemic index, which makes it possible to use it for patients with diabetes mellitus.
Melon is effective because it contains fructose and sucrose, which do not accumulate in the body and are processed quickly, unlike glucose.
Given that the melon has a strong cleansing property, it removes all toxins from the body. In diabetes, there are several arguments "against": melon cannot be used as the only source of vitamins.
Important!Melon should not be consumed immediately after a meal, as this can lead to bloating. You can not use this "solar fruit" before bedtime.
Pancreatitis and cholecystitis
Whether to use melon for pancreatitis and cholecystitis is a moot point. But the most offensive thing is that these diseases appear just in the melon-watermelon period. The use of melon acute form pancreatitis and cholecystitis is undesirable.
But if you have these diseases chronic or there is a period of remission, then small portions of melon are quite acceptable. In remission, it is necessary to start using melons from small doses, mousses and jelly from melons are especially well absorbed, but you can eat fresh raw pulp only after a few days, in the absence of complications.
With cholecystitis, the use of melon is allowed in moderate doses, due to the fact that the fruit contains substances that improve the quality of bile and accelerate metabolic processes in the liver. Melon also has laxative properties that help cleanse the body of harmful slag substances.
Did you know?An overdose of melon can lead to problems with the spleen.
Diseases of the genitourinary system
Diseases genitourinary system found in a large number of people on the planet. This is due to many factors. But we need to figure out how to treat this problem with melon fruits.
Melon seeds cleanse the urinary tract, relieving the patient from pain when urinating. In medicine, there are also known cases of removing sand and small stones from the kidneys with the help of melon.
For cooking healing potion from melon, necessary part of the well-crushed seeds mixed with boiled water and mix until smooth.
This mass must be filtered, rubbed through a sieve and consumed three times a day a few hours before meals.
For potency
Probably, few men have not thought about how to increase their " male power". And in this melon can come in handy.
Uzbek scientists dealt with the problem of increasing potency, they noted the fact that the melon contains a large amount of silicon and zinc, which increase the level of testosterone.
It is especially important to use melon for men planning a child, because it not only improves the quality of erection, but also improves the composition of sperm. The result of eating melon appears quite quickly: if you take 3-4 g of seeds per day, then the first changes can be noticed within a month.
How is melon used in cosmetology
Melon is a product that has long been loved by everyone. And a huge number of articles, forums, chats are devoted to talking about the benefits of melon for women. Today we will talk about how to properly and simply use melon for women to take care of themselves.
For the beauty and health of hair
Every girl dreams of surprising everyone with luxurious hair. Melon can help with this. The melon mask is very simple and economical. It restores hair scales, smoothes them, moisturizes hair, making it softer.
Did you know?For a mask, it is better to use only melon juice, because the pulp is quite difficult to wash out of the hair.
To make a mask use a quarter of a melon, which needs to be mashed. In this case, we use the juice, and the pulp can be used in another way. We mix the juice with black ground coffee, which will make the hair shiny and the color richer, add a tablespoon of cognac - it helps to activate the "sleeping" bulbs and thus stimulates hair growth.
This mixture must be applied to the roots, and then distributed along the entire length of the hair, not forgetting that the parting should be worked out more carefully. Keep the mask under polyethylene for 10-15 minutes for better penetration of substances into the skin.
From above, to improve the effect, you can wrap your hair with a warm towel or put on a hat. The mask is washed off very well, but after it it is necessary to apply a moisturizer to the hair.
Melon face mask
Melon in dermatology is used very actively and is a component of both professional cosmetics, and means " hand made". Melon masks are very popular for moisturizing dry skin and improving the appearance of the skin in general.
The simplest mask for dry skin includes two components: pulp of ripe melon and milk. These ingredients must be mixed to the consistency of gruel and applied to the face. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water.
If your skin prone to flaking, you need to mix melon juice with half a teaspoon of salt, a spoonful of semolina, egg yolk, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon honey. Keep this mask on your face for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water, with light movements.
Also melon is good for oily skin . The pulp must be mixed with egg yolk and applied to the face with "driving" movements. The result should be 3-4 layers, and the application procedure should last 20 minutes.
For cooking melon face masks for freckles necessary boil melon pulp in a small amount of water for 5 minutes. Grind the resulting slurry, cool and apply on the face for 20 minutes. You need to remove such a mask with a cotton swab.
Decoction of melon seeds used as healing remedy for scars and scars after acne.
To combat vitiligo
Vitiligo - dermatological disease, which manifests itself in the disappearance of melanin in some areas of the skin.
Cucumis melo
Taxon: gourd family ( Cucurbitaceae)
Other names: melon, table melon, sowing melon, cultivated melon
English: Melon, Muskmelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Sugar Melon
Description
An annual monoecious plant with a well-developed root system. Its main tap root penetrates to a depth of 4 m. Lateral roots are located mainly in the near-surface soil layer. Above-ground shoots reach a length of 3 m, strongly branched, stiff-haired, with antennae, hollow inside. Unlike the leaves of the melon, they are not separate, but whole or five-lobed, round or kidney-shaped, up to 14 cm long, up to 20 cm wide. The flowers are large, orange-yellow, with a deeply five-part corolla. Male flowers are collected 5-15 in corymbose inflorescences. female flowers solitary, larger than male. Along with dioecious flowers, bisexual flowers sometimes occur, and underdeveloped stamens are found in female flowers. fruits at different varieties differ in shape and size, weight, taste, color of the pulp and peel. The length of the fruit ranges from 4 cm to 2 m, and the weight - from several tens of grams to 20 kg. Seeds are white or cream, 0.5 to 1.5 cm long.
Melon is even more thermophilic than watermelon. Frosts, even light and short-term, are fatal for her. Growth stops at temperatures below +15 ° C, and at + 3-5 ° C, adult plants may die from the cold. Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature not lower than 15 °C. Very light-loving. One hectare of melons on the irrigated lands of Central Asia yields up to 350-500 centners of first-class melon.
Spreading
Numerous varieties of melon are grown in many countries with a fairly warm and dry climate: in Central Asia and South Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Moldova and Ukraine. In Russia, predominantly early-ripening varieties are cultivated in the southernmost regions: in the Astrakhan and Saratov regions.
Collection and preparation
Medicinal raw materials are melon fruits and its seeds. Melon is used mainly in fresh, it is preserved for a long time (sometimes until a new harvest) without losing its qualities. It is only important that the temperature in the storage does not fall below 0 °C. When storing, it is necessary to select only whole fruits, without dents and damage to the outer peel.
In a small amount, the melon is dried for long-term storage. The pulp is cut into long "belts" and dried in the hot sun. It turns out a very sweet product with which you can drink tea. Seeds are dried at a temperature of 50-55 ° C, in the shade with good ventilation. Stored in paper or linen bags for 3 years.
Chemical composition
Melon fruits contain up to 18% sugars, starch, fiber, proteins, mineral salts, vitamin C (up to 30 mg /%), B vitamins, carotene, a large amount of iron, folic and nicotinic acid, pantothenic acid, nitrogenous substances. The seeds contain up to 30% fatty oil.
Pharmacological properties
Melon has a good tonic effect, as well as anti-inflammatory, tonic, laxative, cleansing properties (externally cleanses the skin, when taken orally - gastrointestinal tract and urinary system), improves hematopoietic processes, enhances intestinal peristalsis, and has a normalizing effect on metabolism.
The use of melon in medicine
Melon is used to treat those suffering from melancholia and other depressive forms of mental disorders, it serves effective tool in the treatment of kidney stone disease, rheumatism, gout. In folk medicine, melon is prescribed for malnourished and anemic patients, and for atherosclerosis. Melon is considered especially useful for people who have had liver disease and suffer.
A decoction of melon roots is used to cleanse the intestines.
Medicines from melon
melon seeds grind well in a mortar, gradually add cooled boiled water to them, constantly stirring the mixture with a spoon. Strain the resulting mass and consume 0.5 cups 2-3 times a day before meals. with kidney stone disease.
melon seeds chop, after which 1 tsp. the resulting mass, brew 300 ml of boiling water and put on water bath for 20 min. Drink the resulting broth before dinner for 15-20 days for the treatment of gonorrhea.
melon seeds, consumed from 2 to 5 g per day, is extremely strengthen the male sexual organ, says one of old recipes. However, melon seeds are harmful to the spleen. This harmful action of seeds eliminates honey.
melon juice(freshly squeezed) drink 0.5 cup 2-3 times a day as decongestant and digestive aid.
Melon is used for nutrition in atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
It is recommended to lubricate the skin with the pulp of a ripe melon for treatment (disappearance of the pigment in some areas of the skin).
Melon pulp mixed with wheat flour to a paste. The resulting paste in cakes is dried in the sun and applied to the affected skin with freckles and acne.
Contraindications
Unripe melon is not recommended for patients with stomach ulcers and acute gastritis. It is harmful to eat melon on an empty stomach, it is healthier and safer to eat it in between meals so that it can mix with other foods eaten. After eating melon, it is not recommended to drink cold water and spoiled milk. The combination of melon with alcohol causes indigestion. Melon seeds are bad for the spleen. But their negative impact eliminates honey.
Household use
Like watermelon, melon pulp is eaten at full ripeness. Melons are famous for their excellent taste and wonderful aroma, its pulp is used for jam and marmalade. The fatty oil contained in melon seeds can be successfully used for cooking.
A bit of history
Wild melon is now nowhere to be found. It is assumed that cultural forms were obtained by selection from Asian weed-field species, which have survived to this day. Cultivation supposedly took place in Northern India and in the adjacent regions of Iran and Central Asia many centuries BC. e. Gradually, the cultivated melon began to spread to neighboring areas both to the west - to Central and Asia Minor, and to the east to China. It is known that it was grown in ancient Egypt. In Europe, they recognized the melon in the Middle Ages. In Russia, in the Lower Volga region, melon was brought from Central Asia in the 15th-16th centuries. Under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, melon and watermelon were grown in greenhouses even near Moscow - in Izmailovo (now it is an urban area), but in the future, cultivation of gourds in closed ground was practiced very rarely.
Photos and illustrations
Common melon (Cucumis melo).
Description. An annual hard-haired plant of the Cucurbitaceae family. It has a highly branched, shallow root system penetrating into the soil.
The stem is indistinctly faceted, creeping, branched, up to 3 m long. The leaves are alternate, round-heart-shaped, five-lobed, serrated, 6-20 cm long. The flowers are unisexual (sometimes bisexual). Male flowers - on short legs, collected in sparse axillary bunches. The female flowers are solitary. Corolla five-parted, wheel-shaped, yellow. Blooms in June - August. Fruit ripening in August - September.
The fruits are berry-like, multi-seeded, with a layer of pulp. Outside, the fruits are even or wavy, covered with skin (smooth or rough). The color of the skin of a ripe fruit can be green, light yellow, golden yellow, orange. The color of the flesh is also greenish to orange. The shape of the fruit is round or elliptical. Ripe melon fruits usually have a peculiar pleasant aroma.
Presumably, the birthplace of the melon is South Asia. Asian melons are considered the most delicious. Variety Zard is one of them. Variety Kolkhoznitsa is one of the most productive and delicious varieties of melons grown in the temperate zone.
Melon prefers light, fertile, air and water permeable soils with slightly alkaline or neutral reaction, in sunny areas. Propagated by seeds. Grow it by sowing seeds in the ground or seedlings.
Collection and preparation of raw materials. For food and medicinal purposes, the pulp of fresh melon is used. For food purposes, the melon is also dried, dried, candied fruits, jam, jam are made from the pulp.
How to determine the ripeness of a melon in the garden. Ripe fruits usually have nice smell and characteristic annular depressions around the attachment point of the stem. With a slight pressure on the stalk, it is separated from the fetus.
Hard-skinned melons can be stored for several months. For this, fruits are harvested slightly unripe. A tail of about three centimeters is left on the fruit, and it is better to cut it off rather than cut it off. The fruits are kept in the sun for a couple of days, then turned over to the other side and still kept for a couple of days. Next, the melon is laid for storage.
The room in which the melon is stored should be damp and cool. Optimum air temperature is 2-4°C, air humidity is 80%. It is best to store the fruits in a suspended state (for example, in nets), but you can also lay them out on shelves in a single layer so that they do not touch each other. It is advisable to put sawdust on the shelves. Periodically, melon fruits must be inspected to remove those that have begun to deteriorate.
Useful material. Melon pulp contains sugars (up to 18%), pectin, fiber, vitamins E, B6, B2, B9, P, C, carotene, nitrogenous substances, fatty oil, nicotinic, pantothenic and folic acids, organic acids, minerals, among which are salts of potassium, sodium, iron.
Useful properties of melon.
It is possible to say briefly about the meaning of some useful substances that are found in melon.
Vitamin E protects body cells from free radicals, thereby preventing premature aging organism (antioxidant action). Also, this vitamin improves blood circulation, brain function, promotes hair growth.
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is involved in the production of hemoglobin, red blood cells, serotonin, corticosteroids, promotes normal operation vision, maintains healthy skin, nails, hair, helps the body absorb iron and vitamins B6, B9.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is involved in the synthesis of the basic molecules of the body, in the processes of carbohydrate absorption, supports the activity of the nervous system, prevents unwanted inflammatory processes including skin inflammation.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) supports healthy condition new cells of the body, so this vitamin is especially important during pregnancy, when the fetus is formed and develops. Folic acid also involved in hematopoiesis and sperm production.
Contained in melon alimentary fiber, cleanse the body of toxins, stimulate the evacuation function of the gastrointestinal tract, thereby contributing to the prevention of constipation.
The pectin substances contained in the melon contribute to the removal from the body radioactive substances, heavy metals, pathogenic microorganisms, also normalize bowel function.
Melon contains iron salts, so eating its pulp will prevent iron deficiency anemia. Melon also stimulates the production of serotonin (the hormone of happiness), so its use improves mood.
Medicinal properties of melon.
Melon pulp has diuretic, choleretic, moderate laxative properties. For therapeutic and therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, melon will be indicated for diseases of the urinary system, biliary tract, liver, nephrolithiasis, gout, atherosclerosis, hemorrhoids, chronic cough, constipation.
Fiber helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body, thereby preventing cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, vitamins P and C help strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Thanks to high content vitamin B9, melon is recommended for anemia and during the rehabilitation period after blood loss.
In cosmetology, melon pulp is used for acne and to remove age spots. The face is first washed with warm water, the water is wiped off and a mask of crushed melon pulp is applied. The mask is kept for 15 minutes, after which it is washed off with water. The skin of the face is wiped with a napkin and after a few minutes thin layer apply nourishing cream.
Warning. It is not recommended to use melon during an exacerbation peptic ulcer gastrointestinal tract, with chronic bowel diseases, diabetes, on a very empty stomach, after a heavy meal, in combination with dairy or alcoholic products, during breastfeeding, children under 1 year old.
