The Efficacy and Functions of Lantern Grass
Dec 17, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, lantern grass (Physalis alkekengi) has various medicinal properties and effects, including clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, cooling the blood to stop bleeding, resolving phlegm and relieving cough, as well as antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions. Lantern grass contains multiple bioactive components that help the body eliminate heat toxins and effectively alleviate symptoms caused by heat toxicity, such as sore throat, oral ulcers, fever, and swollen gums.
Generally, Lantern Grass (Physalis alkekengi) has various medicinal properties, including clearing heat and detoxifying the body, promoting urination to reduce swelling, cooling the blood to stop bleeding, relieving phlegm and suppressing cough, and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. The specific functions are as follows:
1. Clearing Heat and Detoxification: Lantern Grass contains multiple bioactive components that help the body eliminate heat toxins. It can significantly alleviate symptoms caused by heat toxicity, such as sore throat, mouth ulcers, fever, and swollen gums. Its active ingredients achieve fever-reducing and detoxifying effects by regulating inflammatory mediators in the body.
2. Promoting Urination and Reducing Edema: Lantern Grass has a diuretic effect that can promote urination, helping the body expel excess water and thereby alleviating edema. It can effectively relieve conditions such as edema and difficulty in urination. Certain components in its stems and leaves increase the kidney's urine output, aiding in the removal of excess water and toxins from the body.
3. Cooling the Blood and Stopping Bleeding: Lantern Grass is cool in nature and can cool the blood, exerting a hemostatic effect on bleeding symptoms caused by blood heat, such as nosebleeds and hemoptysis. Its cooling nature helps subdue internal heat, thus reducing bleeding symptoms.
4. Relieving Phlegm and Suppressing Cough: Lantern Grass helps remove phlegm and relieve coughing, alleviating symptoms such as cough and excessive phlegm caused by phlegm-heat. Its saponins and volatile oils can stimulate respiratory mucosa, enhance the dilution and expulsion of secretions, and help relieve cough and phlegm. It also has certain therapeutic effects on respiratory diseases such as bronchitis.
5. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Components of Lantern Grass inhibit various bacteria and can be used as an adjunct in treating certain inflammatory diseases. Its flavonoids and other bioactive components have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, thus reducing inflammatory responses.
Lantern Grass should be used under the guidance of a physician to avoid blind usage or excessive consumption that may lead to adverse reactions.
