Strawberry physalis is an exotic plant native to South America. Relatively recently, it attracted the attention of gardeners and began to be grown in gardens. The fruits look like ordinary peppers or tomatoes, but their taste is different - it resembles strawberries, raspberries and pineapple at the same time. In addition to its unusual taste, strawberry physalis also has beneficial 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 cultivated and eaten by humans.These are potatoes, eggplant, vegetable and capsicum peppers, tomato, black and common nightshade and others. This is a heat-loving crop that does not tolerate cold weather (with rare exceptions).
The plant is self-pollinating. The height of the bush reaches 40-120 centimeters. Fruits until the first frost, harvesting continues throughout the season. One bush produces, on average, 100 fruits.
The stem of the plant is woody and creeping. The fruit is similar to a Chinese lantern - the name is translated from Greek as “bubble”, given for its characteristic shape. The berry, reminiscent of a miniature tomato (3 centimeters in diameter), is hidden behind an orange or beige cup of fused leaves. The color of the fruit is pale yellow, golden orange, amber or brown. The calyx appears and grows first, and when the fruit ripens, it dries out and loses its color.
The Physalis genus includes 124 species. Most of them are wild shrubs. Only a few species are cultivated for decorative purposes and for food consumption:
- strawberry (raisin, pubescent);
- pineapple;
- ordinary;
- adhesive;
- vegetable (Mexican).
In our climate 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. The fruits contain:
- carbohydrates;
- pectin;
- sucrose;
- vitamins A and C;
- carotene;
- lycopene;
- physalin;
- minerals;
- organic acids.
The leaves contain:
- carotene;
- cholesterol;
- steroids;
- natural dyes;
- phenolic acids.
The fruits of the plant are useful for treatment and prevention:
- gastrointestinal pathologies;
- elevated temperature;
- kidney diseases;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- diseases of the bronchi and lungs;
- dropsy;
- depriving;
- stomach and liver ailments;
- diarrhea;
- hypertension;
- chronic cholecystitis;
- anemia;
- cystitis.
Berries are also an excellent general tonic. They can be eaten not only raw. They are used to prepare confectionery dishes: preserves, jam, marmalade, marshmallows, marmalade, sweet sauces, used in baking and desserts - there is a choice of confectionery recipes for every taste.
Decoctions of the leaves are used to lower blood 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. For 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 - incorrect calculation of the dosage can lead to intoxication of the body!
The benefits and harms of strawberry (berry) physalis
Strawberry physalis is similar in composition to vegetable physalis - but it contains more sucrose. Not only the berries, but also the leaves and stems of the plant are rich in useful substances and microelements. Its positive effect on the body is great. Berry physalis helps in the following cases:
- colds;
- violations of water-salt and acid-base balance;
- disruption of the endocrine system;
- chronic cough;
- accumulation of salts and kidney stones;
- menstrual disorders;
- weakened immune system;
- 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, and infusions of fruits are used.Only the berries can be eaten - the rest of the plant is inedible. The dosage for preparing drugs must be calculated very accurately. The bract is poisonous and should not be used in any form!
Also, the berries must be treated with boiling water before consumption - they are covered with a mucous membrane. If this mucus is swallowed, it may cause stomach upset.
Physalis strawberry is contraindicated for people with high stomach acidity. The plant has no other contraindications.
