Gaby
Physalis is a plant closely related to our familiar potatoes and tomatoes, belonging to the nightshade family. The ripe fruits possess medicinal properties and are used as a diuretic for kidney and bladder stones, purulent inflammation of the urinary organs, dropsy, gout, and joint rheumatism. To prepare a decoction from the fruits, boil 15 to 30 grams of dried fruits in half a liter of water over low heat for 10 minutes. Strain, cool, and drink a glass daily for five days. You can also eat 10 to 15 fresh fruits each day or drink 20 grams of juice from them. However, be sure to remove the calyx, as it is toxic! Keep this in mind!
In Bulgaria, a decoction of physalis is used for compresses to treat hemorrhoids and skin hemorrhages.
Physalis is beneficial for healthy individuals as well. It can be prepared as a side dish for meat or enjoyed as a treat. Here are some original recipes:
PICKLED PHYSALIS
Cleaned and washed fruits are tightly packed into jars. For a one-liter jar, add 2-3 cloves, a pod of hot red pepper, and one bay leaf. The fruits are covered with a marinade made from 1 liter of water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 50 grams of salt, and an equal amount of sugar. Sterilize the jars for 20 minutes. The shelf life is 6-8 months.
PHYSALIS CANDIES
Wash medium-sized ripe fruits, prick them, and immerse them in boiling syrup (for 1 kilogram of physalis, use 1.2 kilograms of sugar and 1 cup of water). Boil for 5 minutes, then let it steep for 8 hours. Repeat this process five times. Afterward, drain the physalis in a colander to let the syrup drip off, then spread the fruits out to dry. Once dried, store the candies in jars, layering them with sugar. They can also be kept in syrup.
Fresh juice from black nightshade berries can be collected in a small jar of 25-50 grams. No additives are necessary! Store it in a cool, dark place. Even if the juice ferments, it’s not a problem. For cuts or bruises sustained while gardening, apply the juice immediately to stop bleeding and promote quick healing.
Indeed, the juice from black nightshade, like that from other nightshades, is rich in bactericidal substances, solanine, alkaloids, and steroids. However, if you have access to a solution of brilliant green or iodine, it’s better to use those. If not, rinse, crush the berry, and apply it to the wound. It’s preferable to use juice that has fermented. A word of caution: keep it away from children. Do not drink the juice!
MEDICINE FROM YOUNG NUTS. Take 1 kilogram of nuts, wash them in cool boiled water, and dry them. The pulp can be eaten, while the shells should be placed in a three-liter jar and covered with boiling water. Let it steep for a week. Take 50 grams three times a day. The treatment lasts for a month, followed by a month-long break. This cycle can be repeated. Based on personal observations, this helps lower blood pressure and alleviates tinnitus and dizziness. You can start with a smaller dose, using 1/2 kilogram of soft walnut shells in 1.5 liters of boiled water.
This recipe has several advantages: it comprehensively utilizes the nuts, incorporates the healing properties of the shells, and the infusion is prepared without alcohol. This is crucial because sometimes the vodka used for infusing the nuts can hinder the treatment of hypertension. It’s worth a try.
