Eclipta and Winter Melon Blood-Cooling Soup Recipe & Benefits

Introduction to Medicinal Diet

Eclipta and Winter Melon Cooling Blood Soup (旱莲冬瓜凉血汤) is a traditional medicinal diet originating from folk medicine, with the primary function of clearing heat and cooling blood. The term “旱莲” in its name refers to the Chinese medicinal herb Eclipta prostrata (also known as Mo Han Lian or Jin Ling Cao), while “冬瓜” is the common winter melon (Benincasa hispida), a vegetable frequently used by households in summer and autumn. This soup skillfully combines the moistening and clearing properties of Eclipta with the bland leaching and diuretic efficacy of winter melon, complemented by a small amount of seasoning. The result is a clear broth with a refreshing taste, which can be enjoyed as a daily mealtime beverage or consumed during the transition from lingering summer heat to nascent autumn dryness, helping the body maintain internal coolness and balance.

According to the *Compendium of Materia Medica*, Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) “blackens the hair and beard, and nourishes Kidney Yin,” while Winter Melon (Benincasa hispida) “treats lower abdominal water distension, promotes urination, and quenches thirst.” The Eclipta and Winter Melon Cool-Blood Soup (旱莲冬瓜凉血汤) draws on the strengths of both ingredients, using slow simmering to fully release their medicinal properties, resulting in a soup with balanced medicinal nature that is easy to prepare at home as a health tonic. This soup has long been popular in the Jiangnan and Lingnan regions, especially among those who frequently stay up late, overuse their brain, or are prone to internal heat. It has become a seasonal delicacy that combines therapeutic value with culinary wisdom.

Efficacy of Medicinal Diet

The core effects of Eclipta and Wax Gourd Blood-Cooling Decoction (旱莲冬瓜凉血汤) focus on two aspects: “cooling the blood” (凉血) and “draining dampness” (利湿). Eclipta (旱莲草, Herba Ecliptae, Eclipta prostrata) is cool in nature, sweet and sour in flavor, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It has a significant effect on cooling the blood and stopping bleeding (凉血止血), providing good supportive relief for conditions such as gum bleeding, epistaxis, subcutaneous ecchymosis, and menorrhagia caused by blood heat with reckless bleeding (血热妄行). Wax Gourd (冬瓜, Semen Benincasae, Benincasa hispida) is slightly cold in nature, sweet and bland in flavor, and can clear heat, promote urination, reduce swelling, and resolve toxins. It helps the body eliminate excess damp-heat through urination, thereby alleviating the restlessness, heat discomfort, dry mouth, and thirst caused by accumulated heat in the blood aspect (血分蕴热).

Additionally, this soup also possesses the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys. In classical Chinese materia medica, *Eclipta prostrata* (Ecliptae Herba) has long been regarded as an excellent herb for nourishing yin and benefiting the kidneys, often used in combination with *Ligustrum lucidum* (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), forming the well-known formula Er Zhi Wan (Two Ultimates Pill). The winter melon (*Benincasa hispida*), rich in vitamin C and potassium, helps maintain stable blood pressure and enhance vascular elasticity. Therefore, this Eclipta and Winter Melon Blood-Cooling Soup is not only suitable as a refreshing beverage during hot seasons but also serves as a daily nourishing option for those engaged in prolonged desk work, excessive eye strain, or presenting with liver-kidney yin deficiency. Overall, it embodies the dietary therapeutic characteristic of being “clearing without being cold, and tonifying without causing stagnation.”

Modern Nutritional Perspective

From the perspective of modern nutrition, Eclipta prostrata (Eclipta/False Daisy) contains various flavonoids, coumarins, and triterpenoids, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Benincasa hispida (wax gourd/winter melon) is rich in dietary fiber and water, with very low caloric content, which can promote intestinal peristalsis and reduce lipid absorption. The synergistic action of these two substances can both scavenge free radicals and delay aging, as well as improve the metabolic environment, thereby providing certain benefits in assisting weight management and maintaining cardiovascular health.

The Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, the mechanism of Han Lian Dong Gua Liang Xue Tang (Eclipta-Wax Gourd Blood-Cooling Decoction) primarily revolves around the two pathological links of “blood heat” and “dampness-heat.” TCM holds that blood heat often results from external contraction of heat pathogen, emotional constraint, or excessive consumption of spicy, pungent, and greasy foods, manifesting as bright red blood, urgent bleeding, vexation and thirst, red tongue with yellow coating, etc. Han Lian Cao (Eclipta prostrata, Eclipta), with sour taste and cool nature, enters the blood aspect directly to achieve the effect of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, particularly efficacious for upper body bleeding such as epistaxis, hemoptysis, and gingival bleeding. Dong Gua (Benincasa hispida, Wax Gourd) excels at clearing and draining dampness-heat from the lower jiao, allowing the pathogenic dampness-heat to be resolved through urination, thereby preventing heat pathogen from stagnating in the blood aspect and aggravating the bleeding tendency.

Simultaneously, Eclipta prostrata (旱莲草) also tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, making it effective for regulating chronic bleeding caused by deficiency fire flaring upward and blood failing to be contained due to Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency. The bland and percolating nature of Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida, 冬瓜) to drain dampness prevents the tonifying herbs from becoming too cloying, ensuring the formula as a whole tonifies without impairing the Stomach and drains without damaging Yin. The combination of these two ingredients—one clearing heat, one promoting urination; one tonifying, one draining—embodies the formula design principle of “clearing the upper and securing the lower, treating both root and branch.” This approach not only rapidly alleviates acute conditions caused by blood heat but also improves the underlying constitution prone to heat flare by nourishing the Liver and Kidneys and clearing and transforming damp-heat, reflecting the wisdom of TCM medicinal cuisine in “seeking balance as the goal.”

Suitable Population

旱莲冬瓜凉血汤 (Hanlian Donggua Liangxue Tang) is especially suitable for the following groups of people: first, those with a Blood-Heat constitution who often experience dry nasal passages, bleeding gums when brushing, or easy bruising of the skin. Such individuals typically have a red tongue body with a thin yellow coating, tend to have dry mouth and throat, and prefer cold drinks. Second, office workers and students who suffer from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency due to chronic sleep deprivation and excessive eye strain. Drinking this decoction can help relieve symptoms of Deficiency Fire such as dry eyes, dizziness, and tinnitus, while replenishing lost bodily fluids.

The third category of suitable individuals includes patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and chronic urinary tract infections. The high-potassium, low-sodium properties of wax gourd (Benincasa hispida) help regulate blood pressure, while the blood-cooling effect of Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) can alleviate dizziness and vertigo caused by blood heat ascending. Additionally, adolescents experiencing facial acne, mouth and tongue sores, or other manifestations of “excessive internal heat” (shanghuo) due to exuberant internal heat may, under the guidance of a licensed TCM practitioner, drink this soup in moderation to assist in clearing heat, detoxifying, and improving skin condition.

Contraindicated Populations

Although the Eclipta and Wax Gourd Blood-Cooling Decoction (旱莲冬瓜凉血汤) is relatively neutral in nature, it is not suitable for everyone. Individuals with Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold (脾胃虚寒) should use this decoction with caution. Such individuals often experience cold abdominal pain, loose stools, and poor appetite. Consuming Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) and Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida), which are cool in nature, may aggravate the Spleen and Stomach’s transportation and transformation burden, potentially leading to diarrhea or indigestion. Pregnant women and those during their menstrual period should also exercise caution. The blood-cooling action of Eclipta may affect uterine contractions or lead to unsmooth discharge of menstrual blood. It is recommended to consult a professional TCM practitioner before deciding to consume this decoction.

In addition, individuals allergic to Eclipta prostrata (false daisy) or Benincasa hispida (wax gourd) should avoid this decoction. Patients taking anticoagulant medications such as warfarin should also exercise caution, as Eclipta prostrata possesses certain anticoagulant activity that may potentiate the drug effect and increase bleeding risk; therefore, prolonged or high-dose consumption is not advised without professional guidance. This decoction is also unsuitable for individuals with a Yang deficiency pattern—characterized by extreme weakness, aversion to cold, and cold extremities—as it may further deplete yang qi and consequently hinder overall health maintenance.

Ratio of Ingredients in the Formula

To prepare the Eclipta and Wax Gourd Blood-Cooling Soup (旱莲冬瓜凉血汤), the required ingredients include: 15g of dry Eclipta (Herba Ecliptae; if using fresh product, about 30g), 300g of fresh wax gourd (winter melon, preferably with peel on, as wax gourd peel has a stronger effect of promoting urination and reducing edema), 2 slices of fresh ginger (about 3g), 3 red dates (Chinese jujube, about 9g, broken and pitted), an appropriate amount of salt (about 1-2g), and optionally a small amount of rock sugar or honey to adjust the taste. This ratio is the daily dosage for one adult and can be adjusted proportionally based on the number of people.

When selecting materials, **Eclipta prostrata** (旱莲草, Herba Ecliptae) is considered superior when it is dark green in color, with abundant leaves and no impurities; it can be purchased from reputable Chinese pharmacies or trusted online herb suppliers. **Wax gourd** (冬瓜, Benincasa hispida) should be chosen with a hard, blemish-free skin, thick firm flesh, and white interior. **Ginger** (生姜, Zingiber officinale) should be **old ginger** (老姜) for its stronger effect in releasing the exterior and dispersing cold. **Red dates** (红枣, Ziziphus jujuba) are best when the flesh is plump and the skin is bright red in color. For enhanced cooling of the blood, **fresh cogongrass rhizome** (鲜白茅根, Imperata cylindrica, 10 g) may be added and decocted together, but first-time consumers are advised to start with the basic formula and adjust as needed once they have become accustomed to it.

Preparation method

First, quickly rinse the dried Eclipta (Eclipta prostrata) under running water to remove surface dust, then place it in a bowl and soak in room-temperature drinking water for about 15 minutes to facilitate the extraction of its medicinal properties. Rinse the winter melon (Benincasa hispida) under running water, and cut it with the skin intact into 2–3 cm square pieces—the winter melon skin is rich in various active compounds, so retaining it yields better results. Smash the fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) and set aside. Wash the red dates (Ziziphus jujuba), then cut them in half lengthwise and remove the pits.

Step 2: Take a clay pot or stainless steel pot, pour the soaked Eclipta prostrata (Common Eclipta) together with the soaking water into the pot, then add enough clean water to reach a total volume of about 1500 ml. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and maintain a gentle simmer for 20 minutes. When the liquid gradually turns a light brown color and the herbal aroma is released, remove the Eclipta prostrata residue using a fine mesh strainer, retaining only the clear decoction.

Step 3: Add the cut wax gourd chunks (Donggua), fresh ginger slices (Shengjiang), and red dates (Hongzao) to the soup. Return to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-low heat and continue simmering for 25–30 minutes until the wax gourd is fully tender and translucent. Just before turning off the heat, season with table salt (Shiyan). If a sweet taste is desired, add a small amount of rock sugar (Bingtang) and stir to dissolve. Allow the soup to cool slightly before ladling into bowls for drinking. The wax gourd chunks can be chewed directly, and the jujube pulp will be soft and sticky—there is no need to discard them.

Drinking Tips

1. The best time for consumption is between 9–11 am or 3–5 pm. These two periods correspond to the peak times of the Spleen Meridian (SP) and the Bladder Meridian (BL), respectively, which facilitates the absorption and metabolism of the active ingredients in the decoction. It is not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach, to avoid irritation of the gastrointestinal tract by its cold and cool nature. Also, avoid drinking within one hour before bedtime to prevent diuretic effects from affecting sleep quality.

2. Eclipta and Winter Melon Blood-Cooling Soup should be consumed while warm and not directly after refrigeration or chilling. Although the soup is cool in nature, excessively low temperatures can damage the spleen and stomach yang qi, reducing the overall efficacy of the medicinal diet. If a larger quantity is prepared, it may be stored sealed in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. When consuming again, reheat to a slightly warm temperature, and do not reheat more than twice.

3. This soup is intended for daily dietary therapy and health maintenance. It is recommended not to consume it continuously for more than 7 days, then take a break of 2–3 days before deciding whether to continue based on your body’s response. If discomfort such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or marked aversion to cold occurs during consumption, discontinue immediately and observe. To ensure efficacy, reduce the intake of spicy, greasy, and grilled foods during the consumption period, so as not to counteract the soup’s blood-cooling and heat-clearing effects.