The bladder cherry, scientific name physalis alkekengi, is a perennial plant of the family of the Solanacee, which includes also eggplant, potato and tomato. This plant is native to Europe and Asia and is characterized by small, round and orange fruits very similar to small tomatoes and covered by a five-lobed corolla, for this reason bladder cherry is also called Chinese lantern. These berries had already been known by ancient people, the Greek physician Dioscorides indeed used them for their diuretic action and this property is well appreciated still nowadays. Thanks to this action and to the antiseptic effect the bladder cherry is used to treat gout, hyperuricemia, stones and infections of the urinary tract such as cystitis. The bladder cherry contains also vitamin C, citric acid and tannins that give to the fruit protective and antioxidant properties. Moreover, the Chinese lantern is able to support the immune system and, for this reason, it results useful to counteract seasonal illnesses but plays also a protective role for what concerns the health of eyes, skin and joints. Finally, the bladder cherry has also purifying properties on the liver. Let’s see how to take the bladder cherry but be careful if you are taking diuretic medicines, in this case ask your doctor for advice.
Fresh and dry fruits
You can eat, as a healthy snack, a handful of these fresh fruits or, if in the dry form, you can add them to the yogurt.
Mother tincture
You can take 40 drops of mother tincture of bladder cherry 1-2 times a day in a little water.
Decoction
Bring to boil a cup of water and a tablespoon of dry bladder cherry, let it simmer for five minutes then remove from the heat and let it rest for ten minutes. Filter and drink.
