Plants - Pacific Northwest

Physalis Alkekengi - Chinese Lantern

Note: These plants can be dangerous if improperly used. The author, and/or ernestartist.org assume no liability for experimentation of use.

Plate 110

Plate 111 Plate 111B

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Physalis Alkekengi: Bladder Cherry, Chinese Lantern, Winter cherry.

The Chinese lantern plant is a perennial herb, 20 - 60 cm heights. It has an upright, angular stalk that is a little hairy. The leaves, which also can be a little hairy, sit in pair on the stalk. They are egg - to heart moulded and a little bit sharpen in the end.
The flowers is bell shaped and the color is white or yellow white. They are placed one and one in the angles between the leaves and the stalk. The flowering season is in July - October. The berries have a yellow-orange color and are enclosed by the sepals, which are scarlet red and looks like a paper lantern. They have a sour taste. The herbs contain bitter substances and an alkaloid. The berries is full of vitamin C, in fact more of it than lemons contain.

Flowers and Foliage:

The flowers are classified as hermaphrodite.
Bees are responsible for pollinating this variety.
It must be remembered that special care may be needed during winter as this species is to be considered frost tender.
There have been no direct recordings of this plant providing food, shelter etc for native wildlife.
The following areas are considered to be this plants natural range: Asia - Caucasus to China. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.

The Chinese lantern plant wants to stand in a half-shaded place, not in a direct sunshine. The place should not be windy. The soil should be light, but don't put in too much peat mold.

Notes on poisoning:

Symptoms include diarrhea, gastroenteritis, fever, and a scratchy feeling at the back of the throat a few hours after ingestion.

FUNCTIONS

Clears fevers, promotes diuresis, resolves phlegm.
Clear Heat, counteract toxic effects, benefit throat, transform sputum.

INDICATIONS

Pemphigus, boils and abscesses.
Diabetes, jaundice.
Gas pains.
Swollen sore throat, pertussis, dysentery.

PREPARATIONS

Internal use - Decoction - Roots, leaves and fruit 3-9 g for each dose.
External use - a suitable amount. The whole plant has a purging effect. Overdoes easily precipitates abortion.

The berries are still being used as a diuretic remedy, against bladder problems and gout. They also are light laxative and can be used to appease rheumatic pain. You can try to do your own jam or flavor your vodka with it. The vodka isn't for you to drink; it's an extract against stones in the kidneys. On the continent are they doing a diuretic wine of the Chinese lantern plant.
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