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CHERRIES (Winter) PHYSALIS ALKEKENGI It helpeth those that void a bloody or foul urine. The Winter Cherry has a creeping root in the ground and quickly spreads over a great compass of ground. The stalk grows no more than 36 inches (90 cm) high with broad and long green leaves, rather like Nightshade, but larger. The whitish flowers are followed by green berries which when ripe turn red and are enclosed in a ribbed covering. Where to find it: It is cultivated in gardens, but is found wild in many countries. It should not be confused with the pot plant known as 'Winter Cherry'. Gardeners know it as the Chinese Lantern. Flowering time. Midsummer. The berries are ripe late summer or early autumn. Astrology: A plant of Venus. Medicinal virtues: The leaves are cooling and may be used in inflammations. The berries draw down the urine when it has grown hot, sharp and painful in the passage. It is good to expel the stone and gravel and to cleanse ulcers in the bladder. Take three or four good handfuls of the berries, fresh or dried, bruise them and put them into beer or ale when it is new and tunned up. Taken daily this drink has been found to ease the pains and expel the stone. A decoction of the berries in wine and water is the most usual way to take them, but the powder of berries taken in a drink is more effectual. Modern uses: Not used by modern herbalists, but homeopaths make a tincture from the ripe berries. These are diuretic, laxative, and cooling in fevers. Overdoses cause constipation. The usual dose is about five or six berries. Stoneroot is now more popular as a herbal treatment for urinary tract stones, and Elderflowers for fevers. |