The efficacy and function of Physalis alkekengi

We can often see Physalis in daily life, so how should we eat Physalis? What good effects does it have on our body? Let's take a look.

[Other names] Crystal jelly (Guizhou Herbs), blue flower fairy, Daqiansheng (Yunnan Chinese Herbs), ice jelly (Yunnan Chinese Herbs Selection), whipped hydrangea, herbal sour papaya (Kunming Folk Commonly Used Herbs), bitter gourd (Guangxi Medicinal Plant List).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Physalis alkekengi of the Solanaceae family. Harvest in autumn.

[Original form] Annual herb, 50 to 80 cm tall. The taproot is long and conical with slender fibrous roots. The stem is ribbed-cylindrical with 4 to 5 longitudinal grooves, green, sometimes purple, and trifurcated at the top. The leaves are simple and alternate, herbaceous, 4-15 cm long including the petiole, 1.5-7.5 cm wide, gradually pointed at the apex, with a broad cuneate base extending downward, irregularly serrated and wrinkled edges, and 4-5 pairs of lateral veins, concave on the upper side and convex on the lower side. The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils, and are lavender; the calyx is deeply lobed into 5 parts, with the base of the lobes heart-shaped; the corolla is funnel-shaped, about 3 cm in diameter, with 5 purple spots at the base of the inner surface of the tube. The capsule is spherical, about 2 cm in diameter, and is surrounded by 5 persistent sepals. The seeds are small and light brown. Flowering period is summer.

[Habitat distribution] Grown on the edge of fields, wasteland, around houses and gardens, and along fences. Distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi and other places; it is also cultivated in Guizhou.

[Chemical composition] The leaves contain physalisene ketone and physalis ketone. The whole plant contains 0.65% physalis aglycone. The roots contain tropinone and sterol.

[Properties and flavors] "Selected Yunnan Chinese Herbal Medicines": "sweet, slightly bitter, neutral." (Toxic)

【Functions and indications】 ① "Guangxi Medicinal Plant List": "Relieves cough, treats shaqi, scabies and ringworms."

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 2 liang.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Guizhou Herbs"

The above content is an introduction to the traditional Chinese medicine Physalis alkekengi. We should learn more about Physalis alkekengi in our daily lives so that we can use it more reasonably and better bring out the value of Physalis alkekengi.