The Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is an example of a fruit that has been developed into so many cultivars that many of us would have a hard time imagining they are the same species!
Cultivars developed from this species include the Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Casaba, Crenshaw, and Persian Melon.
Surprisingly, Armenian Cucumbers are also a variety of Muskmelon—though they look much more like cucumbers!
The morphological variety of the various cultivars is amazing, and in fact they are known to interbreed amongst themselves, so determining which cultivar you have may be difficult at times.
Melons are most well-known for fresh fruit consumption, but they are also sometimes enjoyed dried, used for producing fragrance, and the seeds are also used for producing melon oil.
Midori—a Japanese liqueur—contains Muskmelon flavor.
As there is such variety, it is difficult to talk about the various nutritional benefits of this species; but Cantaloupe, for example, is a rich source of vitamins A & C. I believe for this reason they are commonly thought to benefit the immune system, cardiovascular health, and other conditions that can be benefitted through antioxidants.
In one recent study, a variety of this species was found to have neuroprotective benefits in the brains of rats with diabetes.
In traditional medicine, its seeds are used as a diuretic, expectorant, and cooling agent in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. The fruit is consumed to aid digestion and relieve constipation, while its juice is sometimes applied topically to soothe skin irritation and burns. In some cultures, melon rind is used in poultices to reduce inflammation.
In traditional Persian medicine (TPM), Muskmelon seeds are used as “convoy drugs”, which are substances that can facilitate the access of other drugs or foods to the body or specific organs. Specifically, Muskmelon seeds are used to convoy drugs to the liver and urinary tract.
In scientific investigation, Muskmelon seeds were indeed found to increase urinary volume, as well as increases in urinary chloride excretion. Other activities found include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective and antidiabetic.
#muskmelon #biodiversity #ethnobotany
**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.