Physalis, a photo of which you have probably seen more than once, belongs to There are only two edible species - vegetable and strawberry physalis. The plant is also known as Peruvian gooseberry, strawberry tomato and ground cherry, or cranberry. Ornamental physalis is another variety of plant that cannot be eaten, however, having grown it on the site, you can use it as a decorative element in or for making bouquets. This article will tell you how to grow this useful and very original plant. It also contains several recipes for preparing various dishes from physalis.

Physalis, what is it: a berry or a vegetable?

Many gardeners who have just decided to get acquainted with physalis do not know which genus to classify this plant as: berries or vegetables? After all, care and cultivation will depend on which group it belongs to. What exactly is physalis? According to its biological structure, the plant is classified as a berry, but most summer residents know it as a vegetable. But in fact, it is not so important what exactly this wonderful product is, because its beauty and benefits are much more important than all this. So, we figured out the generic affiliation of the physalis species. What does this plant represent in terms of decorativeness and nutritional value? We'll talk about this a little later, but now let's get acquainted with the external characteristics of the plant.

What does physalis look like?

How do you know that the flower you are offered to buy is definitely physalis? What kind of plant is this and what structural features does it have? To begin with, it is worth remembering that not many varieties and types of physalis can be purchased in the form of a potted crop. This plant is quite large: berry varieties reach 60 cm in height and have a creeping stem, while vegetable varieties grow up to one and a half meters. The leaves of most physalis varieties are oval, with slightly serrated edges. The flowers are small, pale yellow, with dark spots in the center, located at the base of young shoots. Even decorative physalis cannot boast bright inflorescences. But the yellow or bright orange fruits, hidden inside the bright lantern, which is the pericarp, are remembered for a long time. Depending on the variety, the color of the boxes with the fruit inside can vary from pale yellow to bright red. There are also varieties that differ in blue or other color of the berries.

Physalis varieties

The most common varieties of edible physalis are Peruvian and raisin, which are popularly known as vegetable and berry. A large number of other varieties can also be bought at any store, but these two have gained immense popularity among summer residents. Raisin physalis, a photo of which you can see below, is small in size and is loved by many gardeners for its compactness. It is this quality that allows it to be grown as a potted crop. Peruvian physalis is a very large plant, so it is unlikely to be grown indoors. In order for the harvest to ripen in mid-summer, raisin physalis must be planted 3-4 months before the expected harvest date, and Peruvian physalis even earlier - 5 months or more. Grown seedling method physalis gives bountiful harvests starting from mid-July.

The size of physalis fruits varies, it primarily depends on the variety:

• Berry varieties of physalis are always smaller than vegetable varieties. Thus, the fruit of strawberry physalis reaches a weight of 6-10 g. Other berry varieties are even smaller, their weight is on average 1-4 g.
• The largest-fruited among the vegetable varieties of physalis are considered to be Moskovsky early (up to 80 g), Large-fruited (up to 90 g) and Gruntovy Gribovsky (up to 60 g).
• Ornamental varieties of physalis have the smallest fruits - up to 2 g, but their amniotic cup size is the largest of all varieties and species.

Planting physalis

What do you need to know when growing physalis? That this plant is not as whimsical as it might seem at first glance. Despite the decorative and very unusual for garden crops species, physalis is similar in cultivation method to the ordinary and familiar tomato. The best place on the site for its successful growth and fruiting is selected in the same way as for tomatoes. Physalis is less demanding in relation to the amount of sunlight than other nightshades. Scheme for planting physalis in open ground depends on what type the variety belongs to: for vegetable physalis, 70x70 cm is suitable, and for berry ones - 60x60 cm. When grown in greenhouses and if there are trellises, you can plant physalis according to the pattern 50x70 cm (vegetable) or 30x70 (berry). It is better to plant physalis seedlings in the ground or greenhouse during the same period as tomatoes. Special attention You should pay attention to watering: in the first week, you need to moisten the soil abundantly, making sure that a crust does not form on it.

Plant care and formation

During plant growth, it is important to keep the bed clean from weeds, because close proximity to them can affect the development of the physalis bush. Ground cranberries or physalis do not need watering from the second half of summer, and are also not susceptible to various diseases characteristic of other nightshades. The plant practically does not need to form a bush, since the more it branches, the bigger harvest you can get it from him. This was influenced by exactly where the flowers are located. Physalis (photos of it are presented in the review) must be regularly pinched for better branching.

Chemical composition of fruits

Surely many of the readers will be interested in what nutritional value is characteristic of such a crop as physalis, what does this plant represent as a food product? It is worth immediately paying attention to the fact that vegetable and berry physalis can be eaten, but decorative physalis is not suitable for this due to small size berries and their low nutritional value. The fruits contain B vitamins (1, 2, 6 and 12), acids (malic, citric, succinic and many others), antioxidants, polyphenols, tannin and glucose. Despite such diversity nutrients, the calorie content of physalis is low and amounts to only 53 kcal for every 100 berries. This is what makes the fruit of this plant an excellent vitamin and dietary product.

The benefits and harms of physalis

The effect of the plant's fruits on the human body depends on how physalis is eaten - raw or cooked. When prepared, physalis fruits act as an excellent diuretic and choleretic agent, which helps not only reduce the risk of stones in the kidneys and gall bladder, but also get rid of existing stones. In addition, physalis has a mild analgesic, immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory effect. These properties of the product will be useful to those who have suffered a serious and long-term illness. Raw physalis fruits restore the normal functioning of the endocrine glands, and also promote recovery from hypertension, dysentery, gastrointestinal diseases and pyelonephritis.

The main contraindication to the use of physalis is individual intolerance to the product.

Use of physalis in cooking

Physalis can be used to prepare a wide variety of dishes: salads, hot and cold appetizers, desserts, pickles and even wine. The main rule is to always remove the capsule from the fruit, because this part of the plant is poisonous. Largest quantity recipes using physalis are devoted to making jam. The fact is that both vegetable and berry physalis have a piquant flavor that goes well with many berries and fruits. In addition, physalis in jam can also be combined with zucchini, ginger and pumpkin.

As part of first and second courses, physalis can generally be used as a decoration or main component. It makes great-tasting casseroles, soups and sauces. To prepare snacks, in particular salads, you can use both fresh physalis berries and salted and even soaked fruits.

What to cook with physalis?

Let's give a few simple recipes preparing physalis at home.

1. Physalis compote. To prepare it, you will need well-washed and peeled physalis berries, sugar and water, a little citric acid, vanillin, and ginger to taste. First you need to prepare the syrup, for which you mix sugar and water in equal proportions and bring the mixture to a boil. Physalis fruits, boiled in advance for 5 minutes, are cooled in cold water and dipped in syrup (200 g of berries per 1 liter of syrup). After boiling, add citric acid and other flavoring additives.
2. Potato and physalis casserole. Peeled and washed physalis berries (about 500 g) are cut in half or left whole, depending on their size. Potatoes (500 g) are peeled, washed and cut into pieces corresponding to the size of the physalis. Mix the vegetables in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Then add leeks (200 g) cut into half rings and a little greenery to the mixture. The mixture is placed in a baking dish and placed in the oven for 20 minutes at a temperature of 200-210 degrees. Then you need to pour any sauce over the almost finished vegetables and sprinkle with 150 g of grated hard cheese, leave in the oven at a temperature of 210-220 degrees until fully cooked.

3. The preparation of this product is not much different from pickling, for example, cucumbers. For 1 kg of berries you will need about 30 g of dill, 5 g each of horseradish, garlic and red hot pepper in pods, as well as a salt solution prepared at the rate of 50 g of salt per liter of water. Physalis and seasonings placed in a container are carefully poured with brine and left at room temperature for about a week, after which it is necessary to drain and boil the brine, then pour it hot again into the container with the berries. You can use salted physalis as an independent dish, as well as as a component of many salads.

Physalis vulgare, a perennial plant of the nightshade family, is used by many only as a decorative element for creating bouquets of dried flowers. And in vain! Physalis is a very useful plant and is used to treat various diseases. Physalis, whose beneficial properties are very diverse, has many other names - bladderwrack, marunka and dog cherry.

Physalis is a beautiful plant

What is physalis

The physalis plant can reach a height of one meter and has creeping, highly branched, woody shoots located underground. Physalis stems, slightly curved at an angle, are located directly relative to the soil, the leaves are ovoid, thin, opposite, the edges of the leaves are serrated. The fruits of physalis are juicy spherical berries of orange or red color, located inside a swollen bubble-shaped calyx. The plant blooms from May to August, and the fruits ripen from June to September. Physalis can be found in all parts of the globe where there are wooded areas with bushes, ravines and forest edges.

Composition of fruits and seeds

About 10% of the fruit of the physalis plant is dry matter, while the seeds of the plant are 15% oily. Physalis fruits contain a lot of sugars, tannins and bitter substances, non-toxic alkaloids, pectins, carotene, vitamin C, phytoncides and proteins. In addition, physalis fruits contain mineral and red coloring matter, citric, tartaric, malic and succinic organic acids.

Physalis fruit

Composition of roots and leaves

The roots of the plant contain alkaloids such as tropine, pseudotropine, tegloidine and cushygrin. Many steroids were found in the leaves - campesterol, sitosterol cholesterol, stigmasterol and isofucosterol, as well as carotenoids - beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, physoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein ester. In addition, flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids were also found in the leaves.

What benefits does regular use give?

By introducing healthy physalis fruits into your daily diet, you will provide your body with organic acids, which will normalize the acid-base balance. You will regularly receive lycopene and pectin, which are excellent antioxidants, and fiber, necessary for normal digestive function, as well as steroids and tannins. Due to the presence of quercetin in berries, physalis is an excellent antihistamine, antioxidant and diuretic.

The berries of the physalis plant are rich useful microelements, such as:

• potassium – necessary for the normal functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• phosphorus – involved in metabolism, the formation of the skeleton and the functioning of the central nervous system;
• magnesium – involved in all metabolic processes;
• iron – necessary for the normal process of hematopoiesis;
• calcium – supports healthy teeth and bones;
• sodium – normalizing water-salt metabolism;
• zinc – part of cell membranes.

Features of use

Physalis berries are consumed fresh. When consuming them, you need to take into account that they are covered with a waxy sticky coating, so before eating the berries you need to pour boiling water over them. Ripe berries are dietary product, they have a sweet taste with slight sourness and characteristic bitterness.

The fruits are often added to salads, canned food and vegetable soups. Boiled fruits are used as a seasoning for main courses, and delicious caviar is made from baked berries. In addition, the berries are dried, jam and juices are prepared from them.

Ripe berries - a dietary product

Beneficial features

Being medicinal plant, physalis has a choleretic, diuretic, antiseptic, hemostatic and analgesic effect. Physalis fruits are used in the treatment of rheumatism, bronchitis, gout, dropsy, lichen, diseases of the respiratory system, and inflammatory processes of the urinary tract. Decoction and water infusion Physalis fruit is used for bruises and swelling as compresses, as well as an analgesic and an effective antitussive for colds.

A decoction of physalis roots is recommended for menstrual irregularities. In addition, freshly squeezed juice of physalis fruits is used, the beneficial properties of which are very successfully used in the treatment of dermatoses, dysentery, gonorrhea and hypertension.

Physalis in traditional medicine

In traditional medicine, physalis berries are a multivitamin and dietary remedy. Its use is recommended for patients suffering from diseases such as stomach ulcers, gastritis, diabetes mellitus, chronic cholecystitis and hypertension. In this case, it is recommended to use ripe berries for treatment, consuming them 10-15 minutes before meals. A single dose consists of 4-8 large or 10-15 small physalis berries. With increased acidity, the number of berries must be halved.

Physalis is used in traditional medicine

Contraindications

People with high acidity should use Physalis with extreme caution; they should start using one or two berries, gradually increasing their quantity. Physalis caps and leaves are used externally in the treatment of various wounds and sprains. All above-ground parts of the physalis plant are poisonous, and if the permissible dose is exceeded, they can cause harm to health; treatment must be carried out after consultation with a doctor and under his supervision.

Physalis belongs to the nightshade family, native to herbaceous plant considered South America. The beneficial properties of physalis are multifaceted and have been studied repeatedly. Before using and using it, you need to study important aspects. The product has a beneficial effect on all organs and systems of the body. However, if used inappropriately, it can cause significant harm to a person.

Composition of Physalis

Rich food composition allows the plant to be used in the treatment and prevention of most ailments. Physalis contains a lot of glucose and fructose, so the fruits are an excellent source of carbohydrates.

In addition, the chemical list assumes the presence of such components as lemon acid, saponin, vitamin B1, polyphenolic compounds and, naturally, physalin.

The fruits of the plant concentrate retinol, riboflavin, pyridoxine and other valuable substances. For this reason, physalis is often replaced with conventional multivitamin complexes. It contains a lot of vitamin B12; the fruits are recommended for vegetarians, who often suffer from a deficiency of this substance.

The composition contains organic acids. These include apple, lemon, wine, ferulic. Lycopene gives the fruit a bright, rich hue. This element is also a natural antioxidant, which is added to medications against cancer.

Despite such an extensive list of substances and their beneficial properties, physalis can be used in dietary nutrition. Its calorie content is 56 Kcal, which is a relatively small value.

The benefits of physalis

1. For diabetes. Fruits help prevent and treat existing diseases, regardless of the stage of the disease. Incoming substances control blood glucose levels, so sugar does not “jump.” In addition, physalis in combination with medications increases the effect of the latter. Thanks to this, the course of the disease is alleviated and its symptoms are reduced.
2. For oncology. As mentioned above, many substances from the chemical list of Physalis elements are added to cancer drugs. Antibacterial, antioxidant properties in combination with flavonoids remove free radicals and stop the effects of radiation therapy (for an existing disease). The tumor begins to self-destruct due to the fact that physalis blocks the supply of blood and oxygen to it.
3. For the bones. Physalis contains a lot of calcium, which helps prevent fractures and harden bone tissue. With regular consumption, you will fill voids in the bones and satisfy the body's daily need for vitamin K. This substance prevents the development of chronic ailments associated with the spine and the musculoskeletal system in general. Physalis strengthens nails, hair and teeth, relieves unpleasant odor from mouth.
4. For the heart and blood. The fruits are high in sodium, magnesium and potassium. These substances are responsible for correct work heart muscle. Also, with the systematic consumption of physalis, blood circulation improves, blood vessels open and cleanse, and red blood cells are produced at double the speed. Fruits regulate blood insulin levels, which is appreciated by diabetics. Physalis removes harmful cholesterol and does not allow it to be deposited in the form of plaques. This prevents the formation of blood clots and atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and stroke.
5. For eyes. Beta-carotene is responsible for vision, so physalis should be consumed by people with eye diseases. To reduce the likelihood of cataract formation and premature aging of fiber, eat at least a few fruits per day. As a result, you can avoid such unpleasant ailments as lens clouding and macular degeneration.

The benefits of physalis for men

1. Overseas bright fruits are recommended for consumption by representatives of the stronger half of the population. Physalis accumulates niacin; this substance is necessary for high-quality enzymatic processes.
2. Physalis accelerates the digestibility of food and helps beneficial substances penetrate the blood faster. The fruits cleanse the liver, this is useful for men who have a craving for alcohol and tobacco.
3. Men who regularly exercise should include berries in their diet. She improves the set muscle mass, does not allow fibers to disintegrate during sleep.
4. Physalis is a truly male fruit. Regular use allows you to prevent diseases of the reproductive system and reduce the likelihood of impotence.
5. Exotic fruits are recommended for married couples who cannot conceive a child. Physalis enhances spermatogenesis and increases the ability to reproduce.

1. Studies have shown that regular consumption of the product compensates for the deficiency of manganese and iron during the menstrual cycle in women.
2. Consumption of physalis prevents muscle pain and headaches. Good mood returns, signs of depression disappear.
3. Taking the product makes life much easier for the fair sex, preventing PMS symptoms.

The benefits of physalis for weight loss

1. Physalis is an ideal product for people who want to say goodbye to extra pounds. The unique composition helps keep the body in good shape, while the fruits are low in calories.
2. Dietary fiber stimulates the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, fiber forces the body to break down old fat layers. Natural and comfortable weight loss occurs.

The benefits of physalis during aging of the body

1. The benefits of fruits are clearly expressed in the fight against free radicals. The product actively resists the development of oncology of various types.
2. The high percentage of copper in physalis improves the structure of the skin, making the epidermis smooth and velvety.
3. Consumption of fruits helps stop premature aging of tissues and eliminates age spots. In 100 gr. Physalis contains 12% daily norm copper

The benefits of physalis for digestion

1. The fruits are a storehouse of plant fiber. Systematic eating of berries significantly improves metabolism and eliminates most existing problems.
2. Physalis has a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract, relieving a person of bloating, flatulence, cramps and constipation.
3. The fruits prevent the development of colon cancer and gastric ulcers. Physalis also normalizes the synthesis of sugars and controls blood glucose levels.

1. The benefits of the unique composition of berries are difficult to overestimate. The high iron content in physalis is actively involved in hematopoiesis and increased hemoglobin.
2. Eating fruits provides tissues with oxygen. As a result of this process, regeneration at the cellular level increases. Healing of habitual wounds occurs many times faster.

Harm of Physalis

Undoubtedly, physalis is valuable for human body, but do not forget that the fruits can cause harm.

1. Medicinal decoctions and infusions based on berries are prohibited from drinking. long time. The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days. Next, you need to take a break for the same period.
2. If you have been diagnosed with serious chronic illnesses, consult a healthcare professional before consuming the product in any form.
3. It is prohibited to take physalis for problems with the thyroid gland, acute stomach ulcers and gastritis. Failure to follow the recommendations can significantly harm the body.
4. Consumption of the product during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended. Before taking it, you should make sure that it is an edible variety. Decorative berries and fruits growing in uncultivated areas carry a potential danger.

Physalis is a peculiar plant. Undoubtedly, if taken correctly, the exotic berry will help significantly improve your health and overcome some diseases. If you are in doubt about whether to consume fruits at all, consult a specialist. It is important to choose or grow only the edible variety of physalis, otherwise you may get severe poisoning.

Video: what are the benefits of physalis

Recently, such overseas food has become increasingly popular in Russia. plant crop, like physalis. Due to its beautiful appearance and relative unpretentiousness, the plant is actively used for landscape design and decoration of premises, and taste qualities its fruits are used in many culinary recipes.

In addition, physalis is also valuable for its beneficial properties, which allow its different parts to be used for health purposes. Let's consider what this plant is, how it is useful and how to eat it correctly.

General information

Physalis - what is it? This is a large genus of herbaceous plants from the nightshade family, which includes more than 100 varieties.

Despite the species differences, physalis can be recognized by its general characteristics - short height (0.5-1 m); erect stems forming a bush and becoming woody at the root; opposite leaves are ovate with serrated edges; single flowers cream or white shaped like a bell.

The main distinguishing feature of the plant is its fruit - a bright round berry, enclosed in a large swollen case of closed sepals, and reminiscent of Chinese lanterns.

The plant is native to the South American continent and the southern part North America However, due to the unpretentiousness of a number of its species, it has long been distributed across other continents. Today, listing the places where physalis grows, we can name the countries of North Africa, Southern Europe, China and Japan, the southern and temperate latitudes of Russia.

Many plant varieties need special care and special cultivation, but the species “common physalis”, characterized by cold resistance, can grow wild among ravines and forest edges. Among the people, the plant received such names as “emerald berry”, “blisterberry”, “earth cranberry”, “dog cherry”.

Is it possible to eat physalis? Juicy and bright fruits of the plant, in appearance and internal structure reminiscent of cherry tomatoes, they look very appetizing, but not every variety of crop is edible. Bladderwort varieties are divided into two types - edible and decorative; they can be distinguished by the appearance of the berries.

Decorative physalis

It has small fruits, enclosed in a spacious case up to 5-6 cm, made of sepals of bright color (most often orange). The berries have a dense shell with a waxy coating, have a bitter taste and contain high concentrations of substances with toxic properties. Such fruits are not suitable for food, but they retain their bright color and the integrity of the cover after drying, which allows them to be used for making ikebana, bouquets and other decorations.

Edible subspecies

Unlike ornamental species, edible physalis has a larger fruit size and a smaller sheath volume. The sepals of the edible bladder are not brightly colored, and the waxy coating of the berry is much less than that of non-edible varieties.

What physalis tastes like also depends on the plant variety. As a result of many years of selection, two varieties of food bubbles have emerged - vegetable and berry.

Vegetable bladder

In Russia, a Mexican type of vegetable physalis is grown, which is often called the Mexican tomato. In its shape it really resembles a tomato, but depending on the variety, it is purple, light green or yellow. The fruit of the Mexican physalis is covered with a bitterish sticky film that dissolves easily. hot water, has a pleasant sweet-sour taste and is used as a vegetable, both raw and canned.

Berry look

The fruits of berry (or fruit) types of physalis are mostly small (4-6 g), have an orange or amber color, lack a sticky shell and do not require additional heat treatment before consumption. They have a sweet taste with a slight hint of sourness. The following varieties of blister berry are popular in Russia:

• Pineapple physalis - these are standard small berries that taste like pineapple;
• Raisin (hairy) physalis - when fresh it has a slightly tart, sweet taste reminiscent of grapefruit and pineapple, and when dried it becomes like raisins;
• Strawberry physalis - has a sweet strawberry taste with a slight sourness and a pronounced aroma reminiscent of pineapple;
• Marmalade – quite different large fruits(9-12 g) light yellow in color, oblong in shape, tastes like a Hungarian plum, unlike small-fruited varieties, not suitable for drying and long-term storage.

Edible physalis is grown in Russia by seedlings in soil for peppers and tomatoes.

Thus, it is impossible to give a clear answer to the question “is physalis a fruit, berry or vegetable?” From a botanical point of view, the fruits of the plant are berries, but taste and external differences different varieties They are used in different capacities.

Useful properties of the plant

As stated above, physalis is not only tasty and beautiful, but also very useful plant when used correctly.

The bladderwort owes its benefits to its rich content of nutrients. Physalis berries contain:

• up to 1.4% organic acids(apple, amber, lemon, wine);
• non-toxic alkaloids;
• carotenoids (alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, etc.);
• ascorbic acid (45-100 mg);
• pectin;
• phytoncides;
• lycopene;
• tannins;
• minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, iron and zinc).

Other parts of the plant can also be used for medicinal purposes. Physalis roots are rich in alkaloids (tropin, tegloidin, pseudotropin, cushygrin, etc.), and the leaves and fruit caps are similar to fruits in the content of carotenoids and flavonoids, and also include steroids (campesterol, stigmasterol, cholesterol, sitosterol) and phenolcarboxylic acids.

What are the benefits of physalis? The plant has the following properties:

• hemostatic;
• bile and diuretic;
• antiseptic;
• painkiller.

IN folk medicine emerald berry is used to treat many pathologies:

• diseases of the respiratory system (bronchial asthma, tonsillitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis);
• pathologies of the genitourinary system ( urolithiasis disease, dropsy, urinary tract inflammation, gout, cystitis);
• bruises and inflammatory diseases of muscles and joints (arthritis, rheumatism);
• pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (low acidity of gastric juice, hepatitis, dysentery, intestinal colic, hypoacid gastritis, chronic cholecystitis, stomach and duodenal ulcers);
• pathologies of the cardiovascular system (anemia, hypertension);
• menstrual cycle disorders in women;
• skin lesions (dermatoses, lichen, burns, etc.).

As medicine emerald berries are used in different forms:

• Fresh or dried physalis fruits - to strengthen general immunity, as a component of dietary nutrition for gastrointestinal diseases, as well as during the recovery period after illnesses;
• Water decoctions and infusions of physalis berries are drunk for genitourinary infections, hepatitis, diseases of the upper respiratory tract and digestive problems, used for compresses for rheumatism, bruises and skin lesions;
• A decoction of bladder berries in milk - taken for colds, inflammation of the throat and mouth (bronchitis, stomatitis, sore throat, laryngitis);
• A decoction of the roots is effective in combating severe coughs and helps restore the menstrual cycle;
• Physalis berry ointment - used as a healing agent for various skin lesions, as well as an analgesic for gouty and rheumatic pain;
• Tea made from dry sepals and leaves of the plant is consumed for high blood pressure.

Thus, the list of benefits of physalis for humans is quite extensive and involves the active use of the plant in different conditions of the body.

Physalis varieties for medicinal use are important, first of all, when consuming the fruit. In the case of using leaves and roots, it is permissible to choose inedible plant species. Only fully ripened physalis fruits are consumed fresh. Unripe fruit contains toxic substances and can cause poisoning.

Important! Before treatment with a bladder, you must consult a doctor and then strictly follow the treatment regimen. If the recommended dosages are exceeded, poisoning from toxic alkaloids contained in the roots and leaves of the plant is possible.

At the same time, despite wide range beneficial effect, bladderwrack can bring not only benefits, but also harm to health, so in some cases its use should be limited.

Thus, Physalis is used with caution in cases of increased acidity of stomach juice (no more than 10 small berries per day) and diabetes.

You should also remember that the waxy coating characteristic of the fruits of a number of plant species can cause stomach and intestinal upsets, so the fruit should be blanched in hot water before consumption.

A direct contraindication to physalis is individual intolerance to the components of the plant (for example, an allergy to carotene).

How to eat physalis?

There are many ways to eat edible physalis. The easiest way to eat emerald berries is fresh. The fruits of the plant have low calorie content and are suitable for dietary nutrition. Nutritionists advise eating berries as an independent snack or 15 minutes before the main meal, up to 15 pieces at a time - for small varieties, or up to 8 – for large ones.

Juice is squeezed out of a fresh bladder, added to various fruit desserts, cereals, and mixed with yogurt or cottage cheese.

Physalis berries are often dried or dried until they resemble raisins. In this form, the product is stored much longer and also has greater nutritional value. Dried physalis is added to muesli and used to make energy bars.

Like most other berries and fruits, the fruits of the physalis berry are suitable for making preserves, jams, candied fruits and marshmallows. They are boiled in independent form, or combined with the fruits of other plants.

The confectionery use of bladderwrack is also widespread - the berries are added to baked goods, complex desserts, pastries and pies as a decoration or the main flavor accent in a treat.

The sour taste of vegetable physalis allows it to be used for preparing main courses (soups, stews, salads) on its own and as a seasoning element for fish or meat.

The beautiful orange lanterns of Physalis are known to many: unusual appearance and bright color attract attention. But in addition to the decorative, inedible one, there is also vegetable and berry physalis. Unfortunately, edible physalis, whose beneficial properties are highly valued in Mexico, Bulgaria, and Iran, is not so popular among our population. But this tasty and unusually beautiful berry is a representative of the same nightshade family as our favorite.

Before you eat physalis berries, make sure they are an edible variety. U decorative look Not only the leaves, stems and lanterns are poisonous, but also the fruits.

Berry composition

The above-ground parts of this tall herbaceous plant, except for the berries, are poisonous. The reason is the highly toxic alkaloids they contain. By the way, because of them the plant is popularly called sleepy grass.

Fruits also contain alkaloids, but not very much. They contain much more various sugars, organic acids (citric, sinapic, caffeic, ferulic and others).

The berries contain various macro- and microelements (potassium, iron, calcium and others), tannins, vitamins C and A (carotenoids).

They owe their bright color to lycopene. It is a powerful antioxidant and is believed to have antitumor properties.

Useful properties of non-ornamental species

The berry, which is still exotic for us, has hemostatic, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. It is used as a diuretic, choleretic and general tonic. With its regular consumption, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves and blood pressure normalizes.

Low energy value(approximately 30 kcal per 100 g) means that physalis is suitable for dietary nutrition.

Only fully ripe physalis fruits can be eaten without harm; unripe berries are poisonous.

Indications for use

Thanks to chemical composition physalis beneficial properties are such that for some diseases and conditions it is especially useful to include in the diet orange berries and dishes made from them.

• Physalis should definitely be included in the diet of older people. Fresh fruits have a restorative effect. They also help against constipation, anemia, hypertension, articular rheumatism, gout - frequent companions of old age.
• For exhausted people weakened by illness, physalis is not only tasty, but also a necessary source of vitamins.
• For kidney and bladder stones, cystitis, and other problems with the excretory system, orange fruits are useful in fresh and dried form as a diuretic.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and bile ducts are a reason to try physalis. Fresh and dried fruits, as well as juice, decoction, and compote from them will bring benefits.
• These drinks also play a role in the complex treatment of hepatitis A. They also help against diarrhea of ​​various origins.
• Pectin contained in berries, like apple pectin, removes radionuclides and heavy metal salts from the body. This is necessary for people living in unfavorable environmental conditions or working in hazardous industries.
• Poor nutrition, a tendency to obesity, obesity are also reasons to enjoy these berries or a decoction of them.

In addition to the fact that physalis fruits help remove toxins from the body, the pectin contained in them binds and removes excess cholesterol. And due to their low calorie content, abundance of vitamins and other nutrients, they are ideally suited for a diet menu.

• Even in ancient times, physalis was used to treat the respiratory system. For bronchitis, bronchial asthma, persistent cough, and other problems with the upper respiratory tract, healers prescribed drinking a decoction or infusion of physalis. And when you have a sore throat, it is useful to drink milk, but not plain milk, but milk in which crushed berries have been boiled.
• It is known that ancient healers recommended physalis for diseases of the endocrine system. On a diet for patients diabetes mellitus, in which so much attention is paid to nutrition, physalis should be included. Low in calories, rich in pectin and other beneficial substances, it can help them too.
• Physalis also copes well with dermatitis, ulcers and inflammatory manifestations on the skin, bruises. It also helps against hard-to-treat lichen.

Products for external use are prepared from parts of the plant: from the berries - an ointment, from a decoction of the roots - an ointment for compresses and baths. Oil-infused lanterns also promote healing of damaged tissues. The effect will be even better if you include berries in your diet during treatment.

• A decoction of the roots of this plant is useful to take to normalize the menstrual cycle in women. Physalis roots can be bought at the pharmacy, or you can prepare it yourself. This should be done in the fall, just like picking berries. At this time of year they have the highest concentration of nutrients.

Contraindications

This plant also has contraindications, although there are not many of them.

• Physalis, especially fresh, should be eaten with caution in case of increased stomach acidity.
• These berries are also not recommended for children (up to three years of age). At an older age, they are introduced into the diet, but gradually, starting with 2-3 pieces per day.
• They should also be used with caution during pregnancy.
• Apart from the fruits, all above-ground parts of the plant are poisonous. Therefore, pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as small children, should not contact them.

Directions for use, recipes for folk remedies

Physalis is eaten in any form. True, the fruits of vegetable physalis are tasteless without heat treatment. And although in Mexico they are put raw in salads, in our country they are most often pickled. It tastes very similar to regular canned tomatoes.

They are also added to various soups and prepared for the winter. When boiled or baked, they are used as side dishes, seasoning for main courses, and sauces with a specific taste are prepared from them.

Before cooking, fresh vegetable physalis berries must be doused with boiling water or blanched. This is done to wash away a specific bitter coating from them.

It is better to eat physalis fresh. Its fruits are surprisingly aromatic and, depending on the variety, taste like other fruits: pineapple, strawberries,... It is used to make jams, confitures, pastilles, juices, compotes and infusions.

You can make physalis from berry, no less healthy and tasty than the usual one. To do this, the berries are dried in the sun, in an oven, oven or a special dryer.
Useful qualities berries are stored at heat treatment, therefore, meals that include physalis dishes can be called at least healthy.

But using these berries in medicinal purposes, you need to follow the dosage and remember about regularity.

• It is recommended to eat a dozen fresh small fruits or up to 8 large ones 15–30 minutes before meals.
• If the acidity of the gastric juice is high, the number of berries should be halved, and they should be eaten right before meals.

Physalis can serve well not only as a healthy food product. Based on it, various medicinal ointments, tinctures, rinses, and compresses are made.

• A remedy that will help with sore throat, stomatitis, and barking cough. Over low heat, simmer milk with gruel from fresh physalis fruits. 4 tablespoons several times a day - and the disease will subside.
• Ointment with healing, regenerating, antibacterial properties. Dry the fruits and then burn them. Mix the resulting ash with any vegetable oil and lubricate the affected areas.
• Another ointment recipe: crush several physalis berries, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to them and leave for 3 weeks. After this time, strain and store in the refrigerator. Apply to affected areas for skin inflammation, rheumatism and other pain.

There are many such recipes in countries where physalis is popular. It’s a pity that little is known about its health benefits and harms. This plant deserves more than just to be decorative element in the garden.