Physalis, Winter Cherry
Alkekengi, Halicacabus, Cardispermum
Kaknaj, Habul Kaknaj (Unani)
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Flora von Deutschland (16), Kohler, 1884
Winter Cherry at the Urumqi Herbal Medicine Market, Xinjiang (Adam, 2017)
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:
Substitute:
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
