More and more often, physalis “lamps” are burning in the homesteads in the fall. They look especially beautiful among dull, yellowed green. The natural places where the plant grows are the south of Russia, Ukraine (the entire territory) and Moldova; in the middle zone of Russia, physalis is known only in culture. In warm years, its seeds ripen well.
Physalis is a herbaceous perennial 20-100 cm tall. The stem of the plant is upright or angular-curved. The leaves are usually paired, ovate or oblong-ovate, pointed, entire or vaguely toothed. The whole plant is pubescent with scattered truncated hairs. The flowers are white, about 20 mm in diameter, with five short lobes. In the future, the calyx of the flower grows, becomes fiery orange and contains a fruit – an orange-red berry. Physalis blooms in June-July, the fruits ripen in August. In natural conditions, it grows in thickets of shrubs, light forests, in littered places. It is grown in homesteads and gardens. Food, medicinal and decorative plant.
Ripe physalis fruits are used for medical purposes. They are used fresh or dried, having previously been freed from the cup. Drying is carried out in the sun, and in bad weather – in ventilated attics. Store in well-closed jars. The plant is used only in folk medicine.
Physalis fruits have an extremely rich and diverse chemical composition: they contain organic acids (citric, malic, tartaric, succinic, caffeic, ferulic and mustard), pigments, flavonoid quercetin, tannins, carotenoids, vitamin C (46 mg%), a bitter substance physalin, pectins, mucilage, sugars and fatty oil (in seeds). The enlarged red cups contain steroids.
Despite the fact that physalis is not used in scientific medicine, a pharmacological study was conducted, according to the results of which it was established that the fruits have a diuretic effect, and the infusion of enlarged cups on oil activates epithelization (healing) of tissues.
In traditional medicine, the diuretic, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of the fruits of the plant are used. Fresh fruits, juice and fruit infusion are prescribed for urolithiasis, purulent inflammation of the urinary organs, gout, joint rheumatism, and one of the manifestations of deforming osteoarthritis — heel spurs. It is useful to use the fruits for liver diseases accompanied by jaundice and dropsy, pains in the stomach and intestines, as well as for hemorrhoids and in case of intermittent fever. According to some researchers, the infusion of the fruits of the plant is effective for hemorrhages.
The essence of fresh fruits is used in homeopathy.
Physalis fruits are also eaten. they are prepared in the same way as salted or pickled unripe tomatoes, but the taste of physalis is more delicate and piquant.
Infusion of dried fruits. 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 500 ml of boiling water, infuse until cool, filter. Take 1/2 cup 4 times a day before meals.
Decoction of dried fruits. 2 tablespoons of raw materials per 500 ml of boiling water, boil for 5 minutes, filter. Take 1/2 cup 4 times a day before meals.
Fresh fruits. 10-15 pieces are used daily.
Fruit juice. Squeeze juice from fresh fruits, drink 20 g daily.