Chinese Lantern (Common Physalis)

Chinese Lantern (Common Physalis)
Physalis alkekengi L.
Solanaceae Family

Description of Physalis

Common physalis perennial herbaceous plant creeping thin woody rhizome. Stem height 7.9–39.4 in (20–100 cm) erect angular simple or little branched upper rare hairs. Leaves petiolate lower alternate upper opposite oblong rarely rhombic-ovoid drawn apex asymmetrically descending petiole rounded base entire shallow dentate or wavy edge bristly cilia. Flowers bisexual regular solitary axils upper leaves hairy drooping peduncles; corolla fused wheel-shaped five-lobed limb diameter about 0.8 in (2 cm) greenish-white; calyx bell-shaped 5 large teeth fruit enlarging closing over; stamens 5 pistil 1 superior ovary. Fruit orange-red silky-shiny spherical berry diameter 0.47–0.67 in (1.2–1.7 cm) sitting bladder-enlarged bright-orange calyx. Calyx walls fruit parchment-like abundantly veined large veins protrude outside small stronger inside. Outer calyx surface relatively rare simple hairs inner glandular especially dense base. Fruits edible sweet almost tasteless. Seeds numerous whitish yellowish fine-meshed kidney-shaped. Blooms May–August. Fruits ripen June–September. Three groups physalis food (vegetable) decorative medicinal.

 

Distribution and Ecology of Physalis

Common physalis (Physalis alkekengi) wild Central South America self-seeding also South Central Europe south European Russia (Krasnodar Krai Rostov Oblast) throughout Ukraine Central Asia (Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Kazakhstan) Western Asia (Turkey Iran). Introduced North America Australia. Grows moist shady places shrubs light deciduous mixed forests edges ravines field roadsides vineyards weeds. Prefers loose fertile humus-rich soils neutral slightly acidic (pH 5.5–7.0). Shade-tolerant better fruiting partial shade scattered light (4–6 hours sun day). Optimal growth 64–77°F (18–25°C) withstands brief frosts 23°F (-5°C). Moderate watering flowering fruiting (May–August) poor waterlogging. Propagates seeds rhizomes invasiveness some regions. Culture annual perennial decorative (bright calyces) food medicinal. Popular varieties ‘Franchetii’ (decorative) ‘Alkekengi’ (medicinal). Cultivation regular loosening organic fertilizers pest protection aphids whitefly. Resistant most fungal but phytophthora high humidity. Ecologically stabilizes soil ravines slopes flowers attract bees little nectar. Some countries (Australia) invasive displacing native flora.

 

Raw Materials from Physalis

Main raw fruits (fructus Alkekengi) roots fruit calyces. Fruits harvested June–September ripening (calyx bright-orange) before frosts. Manual including calyces protect berries. Unripe ripen room 64–72°F (18–22°C) 1–2 weeks. Roots dug autumn (September–October) cleaned washed cut pieces. Calyces with fruits separate medicinal. Dry fruits sun canopy dryers 104–122°F (40–50°C) avoid high preserve vitamin C carotenoids. Roots 113–122°F (45–50°C) ventilated. Dry yield: fruits 15–17% roots 20–25%. Quality: ≤5% unripe 2% impurities (leaves stems) 0.5% mineral. Store fruits calyces sealed glass/tin roots cloth/paper dry humidity ≤12%. Shelf: fruits 1 year roots 2 years. Check mold insects.

 

Chemical Composition of Physalis

Plant bitter physalin A B C (7-deoxyphysalin A) saponins <0.12% carotenoids flavonoids tannins mucilages. Calyces steroids physalin A B. Fruits bitter red physalin physalein cryptoxanthin zeaxanthin carotenoid physalien up to 100 mg% vitamin C quercetin citric malic tartaric succinic caffeic ferulic sinapic acids pectins sugars mucilages tannins fatty oil. Physalin hydrolysis palapinic acid deaxanthin. Root crystalline histonine 6 tropane alkaloids tigloyl oxytropine much mucilage. Seeds <35% drying fatty oil alkaloids.

 

Uses and Benefits of Physalis

Inhibits anthrax tetanus E. coli Staphylococcus aureus. Anti-inflammatory steroids. Antipyretic diuretic antiseptic anti-inflammatory expectorant wound-healing hemostatic; colds angina whooping cough chronic bronchitis intermittent fever active jaundice dysmenorrhea leukorrhea diabetes hypertension multivitamin. Fruits calyces antipyretic improve heart. Fruits multivitamin diet hypoacid gastritis gastric duodenal ulcers analgesic gout joint rheumatism stomach colic diuretic pyelitis cystitis urolithiasis edema choleretic chronic cholecystitis liver jaundice ascites. Fruits juice diuretic kidney bladder stones dropsy rheumatism jaundice hemostatic analgesic. Fruit decoction rheumatism gout jaundice hemorrhages stomach intestine pains diuretic difficult urination anti-hemorrhoid. Fruit decoction infusion kidney bladder respiratory intermittent fever dropsy rheumatism. External fruit juice lichens wound-healing. Fruit ointment inflammation analgesic rheumatic pains wound-healing. Fresh berry essence homeopathy. Azerbaijan flower decoction abdominal pains. Hypertensives tea dried leaves fruit calyces. Fresh crushed leaves furuncles. External leaf extract compresses rheumatism joints; hot leaf infusion mouth rinse toothache. Calyx oil infusion activates epithelization. Root spastic uterus hypermenorrhea uterine bleeding hernia 0.21–0.42 oz (6–12 g)/day. Root decoction colds cough hoarseness GI headache aches skin scrofula.

 

Precautions for Using Physalis

Fruits without bladder calyx toxic (alkaloids physalin). Aerial parts (stems leaves) not internal toxic. High acidity smaller doses (4–8 berries instead 8–15) before meals increase gradually. Prolonged high root139 doses (>0.42 oz/12 g day) spasms mucosal irritation tropane alkaloids. External test skin avoid allergies.

 

Contraindications for Using Physalis

Individual intolerance Solanaceae allergy (tomatoes potatoes) acute gastric duodenal ulcers high-acid gastritis. Root preparations pregnant nursing spastic uterus children under 6 alkaloid toxicity. Calyces aerial forbidden toxic (physalin alkaloids).

 

Medicinal Recipes with Physalis

1. Fresh fruits hypertension anemia. Eat 5–10 fresh fruits (without calyx) 2–3 times day 10–15 min before meals hypertension anemia constipation. Course >2 weeks.
   
2. Fruit decoction urolithiasis. Boil 0.53–0.71 oz (15–20 g) dry fruits 16.9 oz (500 ml) boiling 5 min steep 30 min strain. Take 2 oz (60 ml) (¼ glass) 4 times day before meals 10–14 days.
   
3. Fruit juice rheumatism. Juice 10–15 fresh fruits take 0.68 oz (20 ml) 2 times day 15 min before meals. Course 2 weeks.
   
4. Root decoction cold. Boil 0.35 oz (10 g) dry crushed roots 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling 10 min steep 1 hour strain. Take 1 tbsp 3–4 times day cough colds.
   
5. Calyx infusion external. Steep 2 tbsp dry calyces 10.1 oz (300 ml) boiling 30 min strain peppermint optional. Compress rheumatism skin inflammation 15–20 min 1–2 times day.
   
6. Juice milk angina laryngitis. Boil fresh juice pulp fruits milk. Take 3–4 tbsp 3–4 times day 4–5 days angina laryngitis stomatitis. Periodic prevents relapses.
   

 

Cosmetic Uses of Physalis

Antioxidant (vitamin C flavonoids) anti-inflammatory (physalins tannins) wound-healing. Fruits calyces problem skin reduce inflammation regeneration.

1. Problem skin mask. Mash 2 tbsp fresh fruits mix 1 tsp honey 1 tbsp yogurt. Apply cleansed face 10–15 min rinse warm. 1–2 times week inflammation acne.
   
2. Calyx toner. Steep 1 tbsp dry calyces 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling 30 min strain. Wipe face cotton 1–2 times day cleanse pores reduce oiliness.
   
3. Wound healing compress. Wrap 2 tbsp fresh crushed leaves/fruits gauze apply (furuncles small wounds) 15–20 min once day.
   
4. Oil infusion skin regeneration. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dry calyces 3.4 oz (100 ml) olive oil 10 days dark strain. Apply damaged skin (burns eczema) 1–2 times day.
   

 

Culinary Uses of Physalis

Mature fruits without calyx diet confectionery jam. Sauces marinades pickles add cucumbers tomatoes cabbage canning. Fruits red dye butter coloring. Boiled fillings pies cake decorations. Juice meat fish seasoning. Fresh juice pulp cottage cheese kefir tea kissel. Bitterness freezes away. Green fruits calyx salted pickled.

1. Jam. Clean fruits calyces wash prick. 2.2 lb (1 kg) fruits 2.65 lb (1.2 kg) sugar. Divide sugar 3: syrup 1.1 lb (0.5 kg) sugar 16.9 oz (0.5 l) water boil 3–5 min hot pour fruits. Steep ≥4 hours add 1.1 lb (0.5 kg) sugar heat dissolve stir gently. Boil 8–10 min no vigorous. Stand 6 hours add rest sugar finish. Mint 5–6 leaves last boil.
   
2. Dried physalis. Sort remove spoiled wash dry sun oven ≤104°F (40°C). Store paper bags. Use raisins.
   
3. Pickled physalis. Clean wash pack jars (0.5 l) add 1–2 cloves peppercorn bay leaf pour boiling marinade (2.1 oz/60 g sugar 1 tbsp vinegar 16.9 oz/0.5 l water). Cover sterilize 10 min seal cool.
   
4. Soaked physalis. Wash pack clay pot pour brine (0.88 oz/25 g sugar 0.53 oz/15 g salt 33.8 oz/1 l water). Cover wood circle room 1–2 days cellar. Month ready like olives.