Winter Cherry

Physalis alkekengi

Bladder Cherry Chinese Lantern Ground Cherry Strawberry Tomato Winter Cherry Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take

The winter cherry, also known as bladder cherry owing to its seed pod resembling a bladder or inflatable bag, is native to parts of Europe and China. It is a perpetual plant having a straight stem with branches and grows approximately up to two feet in height. The winter cherry plant bears oval shaped leaves that are pointed at the ends and two to three inches long. The edges of the leaves are jagged like teeth, have numerous veins and grow in braces. The petals of the winter cherry flowers appear between June and August and drop as soon as the calyx, also called the ‘lantern’, gets bigger. These ‘lanterns’ ripen during August and September and encloses a reddish fruit that is like a cherry.

Once the petite white colored petals of the winter cherry fade in autumn the coils of the green calyx that remained unnoticed till then starts getting bigger and transform their shade. Before long, the sepals of the plant turn change into crimson pods that look like Chinese paper lanterns. Hence, the calyx of the plant is also called ‘lantern’ and they enclose a reddish berry.

Early day herbal medicine practitioners, who were guided by the principle of signature whereby a plant resembled human parts that it cured, asserted that the winter cherry was an effective medication for the kidney and bladder stones. Significantly, the scientific name of winter cherry ‘Physalis’ means a bladder in Greek. In ancient England, herbalists Gerard and Culpeper studied the fruits of winter cherry and found them to possess diuretic properties that were not only effective in enhancing the urine outflow, but also throwing out the gallbladder stones from the body. Incidentally, during those days, one patient asserted that he avoided suffering from gout by consuming eight winter cherry berries every fortnight. Although the winter cherry was extensively used as a remedy during the 16th and the 17th centuries, by the 18th century physicians hardly recommended the use of the plant’s fruits.

PARTS USED

Fruit.

USES

The winter cherry is generally eaten as a fruit and owing to its diuretic properties, it is useful in treating a number of urinary and arthritic troubles. The winter cherry fruits or berries are conventionally used by European herbalists who recommend them to cure kidney and gallbladder stones. In addition, the winter cherry is also known to be an effectual medication to decrease fever.

While the fruits of the winter cherry may be used to prepare jellies and jams, the delicate seed pods of the plant known as lanterns are frequently dried by people for use as decorative items with floral arrangements in autumn and winter.

The winter cherry berries possess diuretic as well as mild laxative properties and hence they are used to treat suppressed urine as well as stones in the kidneys and gallbladder. In addition, physicians recommend the use of the winter cherry fruits to treat fevers and gout. In fact, some patients suffering from gout have disclosed that they were able to ward off the disorder by consuming eight berries during the change of each moon. Ancient Greek herbalist and physician Dioscorides had asserted that the berries were also useful in treating epilepsy. In fact, people residing in the rural areas use the berries to treat themselves as well as their animals, particularly while recuperating from scarlet fever.

In addition, the leaves and the stems of the winter cherry are used to treat depression affecting people after a bout of malaria and they also serve as a useful tonic for the feeble and anemic people. Taking heavy doses of the winter cherry may lead to heaviness and constipation, but it has also been found to be useful in treating colic or stomach aches followed by diarrhea.

The winter cherry powder is also effective in reducing fevers, but not as effective as sulfate of quinine. Winter cherry leaves boiled in water also serve as a calming poultice.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

The winter cherry is indigenous to the central and southern regions of Europe as well as China. The plant normally grows in the wild in humid places and along the roads or pavements. The herb is commercially cultivated in the warm temperate climatic zones as well as sub-tropical expanses such as North and South America and South Africa. The mature fruits or berries of the plant are harvested during summer.

CONSTITUENTS

Winter cherry contains flavonoids, plant sterols, vitamins A (carotene) and C, and, in the roots, tropane-type alkaloids.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Berries of the winter cherry plant may be consumed directly or in juice form. For best effects, take six to twelve berries or half an ounce of the juice extracted from the fruits.