Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), also known as winter melon, has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for a variety of conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), wax gourd is considered to have cooling properties and is believed to help "clear heat" and promote fluids. Its use for "chills" is not directly documented in major pharmacopeias, but it may be included in formulations aimed at restoring balance between heat and cold in the body. The concept of "chills" in traditional medicine may refer to sensations of coldness due to internal imbalances, rather than infectious causes like fevers or chills in Western medicine.

Scientifically, there is limited evidence supporting the use of wax gourd specifically for chills. Most modern research focuses on its potential diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, as well as its use in metabolic and gastrointestinal disorders. There are no robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly linking wax gourd to the treatment of chills as defined in Western medicine. Its use for this purpose remains largely rooted in traditional practices and theories of body energetics rather than evidence-based, scientific validation.

In summary, the use of wax gourd for chills is primarily justified by tradition, with scant scientific evidence to support these claims.