What are the functions and benefits of lantern plant?
Nov 25, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Physalis, also known as ground cherry, is the whole herb of the plant Physalis alkekengi from the nightshade family. It is commonly known for its effects in lowering blood sugar, antibacterial action, reducing swelling and relieving pain, promoting digestion, clearing heat, and detoxification. Some active components found in physalis have demonstrated blood sugar-lowering effects by promoting insulin secretion and enhancing cellular glucose utilization efficiency, which is beneficial for diabetic patients in controlling their blood glucose levels.
Lantern grass is the whole herb of the Physalis plant (Physalis alkekengi) from the nightshade family. It generally has effects and functions such as lowering blood sugar, antibacterial action, reducing swelling and relieving pain, promoting digestion, clearing heat and detoxifying. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Lowering Blood Sugar
Lantern grass contains certain active ingredients found to have blood sugar-lowering effects. It can promote insulin secretion and improve the efficiency of glucose utilization by cells, which is beneficial for diabetic patients in controlling blood sugar levels. However, medical advice should be followed during application, and it should not replace standard medical treatment.
2. Antibacterial Action
Lantern grass contains various chemical components, such as physaline B, cuscohygrine, and others. These components have antimicrobial properties and demonstrate inhibitory effects against bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
3. Reducing Swelling and Relieving Pain
Lantern grass has the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain and can be used to treat painful swelling-related conditions such as boils, herpes, and hernia pain. For external use, fresh lantern grass can be crushed and applied directly to the affected area, or used in decoctions for washing, achieving the effect of reducing swelling and relieving pain.
4. Promoting Digestion
Lantern grass contains abundant dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion, and prevent constipation. At the same time, its unique sweet and sour taste can stimulate saliva and gastric juice secretion, enhance appetite, and is suitable for individuals with indigestion and poor appetite.
5. Clearing Heat and Detoxifying
Lantern grass is cold in nature and sweet and sour in taste, capable of clearing internal heat toxins. It is suitable for treating conditions caused by heat toxicity, such as sore throat and oral ulcers. The various alkaloids and flavonoid compounds contained in its fruit have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, effectively alleviating inflammatory responses and accelerating the repair of damaged tissues.
Additionally, it is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, ensure adequate sleep, improve dietary habits, regulate physical condition, and maintain overall health.
