Strawberry physalis: beneficial properties and harm, types and how to apply with a photo

Strawberry physalis is an exotic plant native to South America. Relatively recently, it attracted the attention of gardeners and began to be grown in vegetable gardens. The fruits outwardly resemble ordinary peppers or tomatoes, but their taste is different - it resembles strawberries, raspberries and pineapple at the same time. In addition to unusual taste, strawberry physalis also has useful properties.

Description and types of physalis

Physalis is a perennial and annual plant of the Solanaceae family. This family includes many other species that have long been grown by man and eaten by him. These are potatoes, eggplant, vegetable and capsicum peppers, tomato, black and ordinary nightshade and others.This is a thermophilic culture, does not tolerate cold weather (with rare exceptions).

Self-pollinating plant. The height of the shrub reaches 40-120 centimeters. It bears fruit until the first frost, harvesting goes on all season. One bush produces, on average, 100 fruits.

The stem of the plant is stiff, creeping. The fruit looks like a Chinese lantern - the name is translated from Greek as "bubble", given for its characteristic shape. A berry resembling a miniature tomato (3 centimeters in diameter) is hidden behind an orange or beige calyx of fused leaves. Fruit color is pale yellow, golden orange, amber or brown. The calyx appears and grows first, and when the fruit-berry ripens, it dries up and loses its shade.

The genus of physalis includes 124 species. Most of them are wild shrubs. Only a few species are cultivated for ornamental purposes and for human consumption:

• strawberry (raisin, pubescent);
• pineapple;
• ordinary;
• glutinous;
• vegetable (Mexican).

In our climatic zone, only 2 varieties have taken root - strawberry and vegetable.

Useful properties of vegetable physalis

Vegetable physalis is not only eaten, but also used in folk medicine. Various drugs are prepared from the fruits. These drugs help with many diseases. Fruit contains:

• carbs;
• pectin;
• sucrose;
• vitamins A and C;
• carotene;
• lycopene;
• Fizalin;
• minerals;
• organic acids.

The leaves contain:

• carotene;
• cholesterol;
• steroids;
• natural dyes;
• phenolic acids.

The fruits of the plant are useful for treatment and prevention:

• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
• high temperature;
• kidney disease;
• gout;
• rheumatism;
• diseases of the bronchi and lungs;
• dropsy;
• lichen;
• gastric and liver ailments;
• diarrhea;
• hypertension;
• chronic cholecystitis;
• anemia;
• cystitis.

Also, berries are an excellent general tonic. They can only be eaten raw. Confectionery dishes are prepared from them: jam, jam, marmalade, marshmallow, marmalade, sweet sauces, used in the preparation of pastries and desserts - there is a choice of a confectionery recipe for every taste.

Decoctions of the leaves are used to reduce pressure, and fresh leaves are applied to wounds (like plantain).

However, the plant brings not only benefits, but also harm. People suffering from stomach diseases should not eat many berries at the same time. The first time you can eat no more than 2 fruits, and then slowly increase the dose.

All parts of the plant that are underground are very toxic - an incorrect dosage calculation can lead to intoxication of the body!

The benefits and harms of strawberry (berry) physalis

Physalis strawberry is similar in composition to vegetable - but it contains more sucrose. Useful substances and microelements are rich not only in berries, but also in the leaves and stems of the plant. Its positive effect on the body is great. Berry physalis helps in the following cases:

• colds;
• disturbances in water-s alt and acid-base balance;
• disruption of the endocrine system;
• chronic cough;
• accumulation of s alts and kidney stones;
• disorders of the menstrual cycle;
• compromised immunity;
• avitaminosis;
• hypertension;
• dysentery;
• gonorrhea;
• inflammation of the bladder and ureters;
• lichen;
• dropsy;
• dermatoses;
• bronchitis.

For treatment, freshly squeezed juice from berries, decoctions from roots, stems and leaves, infusions on fruits are used. You can only eat berries - the rest of the plant is inedible.The dosage for the preparation of potions must be calculated very accurately. The bract is poisonous and should not be used in any way!

Also, the berries must be treated with boiling water before use - they are covered with a mucous membrane. If this mucus is swallowed, an upset stomach is possible.

Physalis strawberry is contraindicated in people with increased gastric acidity. The plant has no other contraindications.

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