Physalis, Winter Cherry

Alkekengi, Halicacabus, Cardispermum
Kaknaj, Habul Kaknaj (Unani)
 Picture
Picture New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

Picture Flora von Deutschland (16), Kohler, 1884

Picture Winter Cherry at the Urumqi Herbal Medicine Market, Xinjiang (Adam, 2017)

Picture Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:


Physalis alkekengi
P. alkekengi var. francheti and P. pubescens of TCM are used similarly;
The related P. minima and P. minima var. indica are also used in Unani.

Parts used:


Fruit; herb and root less commonly

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, moist. Bitter, Sour

Classifications:


3E. DIURETIC.    3F. LITHONTRIPTIC.    3Q. ANTHELMINTIC
4g. HEPATIC

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Damp, Resolves Stones, Promotes Urine:

2. Benefits the Kidneys:

3. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:

4. Clears Heat, Stops Cough:

5. Clears Heat of the Stomach and Liver:

6. Kills Worms:
-listed as Anthelmintic in older Herbals


Dose:


Dried Fruit in decoction: 6–9 grams
Fruit in Powder: 1–3 grams

Correctives:


 … available in PRO version

Substitute:


 … available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Heat-type Urinary diseases, Gravel, Stones:
i. Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
ii. Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
iii. Stones, Winter Cherry and  … available in PRO version
2. To promote Urine:
i. Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
3. Kidney Ulcers:
i. Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
ii. Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
4. Gout, Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
5. Acne, Boils, Eczema, Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
6. Clear Heat, Ease pain and promote rest, Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version
7. Heat-type Cough, Winter Cherry with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Syrup of Chicory and Rhubarb (Nicholas)
Syrup of Senna Comp.
Troches of Winter Cherry (Trochisci Alkekengi) (Mesue)
Troches of Winter Cherry (Unani)
Electuary of Seeds

Cautions:


1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Use cautiously in marked Spleen deficiency.
3. Large doses are Narcotic

Main Preparations used:


Troches of Winter Cherry