Physalidis Minimae Herba
Aliases：Shā Dēng Lóng (Sand Lantern), Dēng Lóng Cǎo (Lantern Grass), Shuǐ Dēng Lóng (Water Lantern), Dǎ Bǔ Cǎo (Snapping Grass), Dǎ É Pào (Forehead-blisters), Dēng Lóng Pào (Lantern Blister), Tiān Pào Cǎo (Sky Blister Grass), Wáng Mǔ Zhū (Queen Mother’s Pearl), Huáng Dēng Lóng (Yellow Lantern), Tiān Pào Guǒ (Sky Blister Fruit); Guà Jīn Dēng (Golden Lantern), Dēng Lóng Guǒ (Lantern Fruit), Huáng Gū Niáng (Yellow Girl); Kǔ Zhí (Bitter Groundcherry).
Tiān Pào Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried whole plant or fruit of Physalis minima L. (also known as Lantern Grass or Yellow Girl), a plant belonging to the genus Physalis of the family Solanaceae. This plant is an annual herb, 50–70 cm tall, with prostrate or ascending stems and many branches. The flowers are solitary in leaf axils; the calyx is campanulate and enlarges to form a lantern-like structure enclosing the fruit. The berry is globose, yellow, approximately 6 mm in diameter.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and promotes diuresis; resolves phlegm and relieves cough; softens hardness and dissipates nodules.
Indications
Indicated for damp-heat jaundice, difficult urination, chronic cough and wheezing, infantile malnutrition (Xiao Ji), scrofula (cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis), impetigo, eczema, and boils. It may also be used for common cold with fever, sore throat, bronchitis, lung abscess, mumps, orchitis, cystitis, and hematuria.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory effects: The water extract of Tiān Pào Zǐ leaves shows dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats, with the maximum dose effect comparable to that of phenylbutazone. Anticancer effects: The total alkaloids from the berries significantly inhibit DNA synthesis in mouse S180 sarcoma cells in vitro. Abortifacient effects: Physalin X isolated from Tiān Pào Zǐ, when injected at 100 mg/kg, causes an abortion rate of over 75% in animals. Treatment of chronic bronchitis: In a clinical observation of 60 cases, 39 cases showed marked improvement and 10 cases showed improvement, with good therapeutic effects on cough, sputum, and wheezing. Treatment of jaundice: Two whole plants are decocted to a concentrated liquid with sugar and taken in 2–3 divided doses; some patients showed resolution of jaundice after 10–15 doses.
Ingredients
Physalins: Physalin A, B, C, D, X; dihydrophysalin B; 5β,6β-epoxyphysalin B (i.e., physalin F); 6,7-dihydro-6-hydroxydehydrophysalin B. Alkaloids: Phygrine. Flavonoids: 5-Methoxy-6,7-methylenedioxyflavone, 5,6,7-trimethoxyflavone. Leaves contain: Viscosalactones A, B, C; quercetin-3-O-galactoside. Seeds contain oil: 40.0%, of which linoleic acid accounts for 61.4%, oleic acid 17.3%, palmitic acid 10.5%, and stearic acid 8.6%. Fruit contains: 22 inorganic elements and 16 amino acids, including various essential trace elements for the human body and 7 essential amino acids.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 15–30 g. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, crushed and applied topically; decocted in water for washing; or ground into powder and mixed for application. It may also be calcined to preserve its properties and sprinkled on the affected area.
Contraindications
Contraindicated during pregnancy. Contraindicated in patients without damp-heat stasis (from Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1960 edition). Use with caution in patients with ulcer disease—clinical observations indicate caution in such patients. Should be used under the guidance of a physician; excessive use should be avoided.
Selected Formulas
For infantile impetigo (Sichuan Chinese Materia Medica, 1960) Take Tianpaozi (Physalis alkekengi fruit), grind into powder, mix with sesame oil, and apply externally. For chronic bronchitis in the elderly (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of dried whole plant of Denglongpao (Physalis alkekengi), decoct to make a syrup. Take 50ml each time, three times daily. One course lasts 10 days. For cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (empirical formula) Take 3 fresh Denglongcao heads (or dried ones), 2 pieces of Dongguabi (a local herb), and 1 bowl of water. Decoct to half a bowl and take in one dose. For jaundice (empirical formula) Take 2 whole plants, decoct to a concentrated liquid, add an appropriate amount of sugar, and take in 2–3 divided doses.
Daily Consumption
Fresh consumption: The ripe berries can be eaten fresh as fruit; they have a sweet and sour taste. Processed products: The berries can be processed into fruit wine, jam, jelly, fruit juice drinks, canned products, and others.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant or fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture.
