HERBAL MONOGRAPHS WINTER CHERRY /819The dried residue of a maceration, which is fixed on filter
paper, shows a weak effect against Bacillus subtilis, Esche-
richia coli, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Shigella flexneri,
Shigella sonnei and Staphylococcus aureus. An extra frac-
tion of the drug (insufficiently chemically defined) showed a
tumor-inhibiting effect on transplanted tumors in mice and
rats. The drug was helpful in treating benign prostate
hyperplasia and certain micturition disorders.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Willow Herb is used internally for micturi-
tion problems associated with prostatic hyperplasia (Stages I
to II), and for gastrointestinal disorders and mucous mem-
brane lesions of the mouth. Native Americans use the drug
for rectal bleeding; the Chinese use it for menstrual
disorders. The watery extract is used externally to improve
the healing of wounds.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is not available as a ready
made medicinal preparation; only as a tea, watery extract or
as a vegetable.
LITERATURE
Ducrey B et al., Inhibition of Salpha-Reduktase and aromatase
by ellagitannins oenothein A and eonothein B from Epilobium
species. In: PM 63(2): 111-114. 1997.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Hiemann A, Mayr K, Sci Pharm 53:39. 1985.
Hiermann A, Sci Pharm 63:135. 1995.
Lesuisse D et al., Determination of Oenothein B as the active
5-alpha-reductase-inhibiting principles of the folk medicine
Epilobium parvifloruam. In: JNP 59(5):490-492. 1996.
Slacanin I et al., J Chromatogr 557:391. 1991.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Winter Cherry
Physalis alkekengi
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the ripe fruit and
the leaves.
Flower and Fruit: The whitish, long-pedicled flowers are
solitary and nodding. The calyx is fused and 5-tipped. The
corolla is fused with a slightly 5-tipped margin. There are 5
stamens and 1 superior ovary. The fruit is a cherry-sized,
globular, scarlet berry, enclosed in the swollen, orange-red
calyx. It contains numerous flat, reniform seeds.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a perennial and grows
from 30 to 60 cm. The stems are erect or ascending and
angular with opposite, long-petioled, entire-margined leaves.
Characteristics: Winter Cherry has a lantern-like, enlarged
calyx when the fruit is ripe.
Habitat: The plant is indigenous to central and southern
Europe, China and Indochina and is naturalized in the U.S.
Production: Winter Cherry fruits are the ripe fruits of
Physalis alkekengi.Other Names: Cape Gooseberry, Coqueret, Strawberry
Tomato
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Whitasteroids: among others physalines A-C, F, L-0
Carotinoids: including zeaxanthine dipalmitic acid ester
(red)EFFECTS
No information is available.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Winter Cherry is used as a diuretic in
kidney and bladder conditions and in the treatment of gout
and rheumatism.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The ripe fruit is edible, but unripe fruit can cause poisoning
in animals. ;
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: The drug is administered in a
ground form and as an extract.
LITERATURE
Christen P, Pharm Acta Helv 61:242. 1986.
Dornberger K, Untersuchungen uber potentiell antineoplastisch
wirksame Inhaltsstoffe von Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchettii
MAST. In: PA 41:265. 1986.
Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur
Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlags-
Ges Stuttgart 1997.
Jana M, Raynaud J, (1971) Plant Med Phytother 5:301.
Kawai M et al., PH 26:3313. 1987.
Kawai M, Matsuura T, (1970) Tetrahedron 26:1743.
Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag
Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.