Names:

  • General: Bladder berry, Bush tomato, Ground cherry, Angular winter cherry, Balloon cherry.
  • Hausa: Kwakwari, Kurna
  • Igbo: Ngworo-ukwu, Akukwo-ukwu, Ukwo-ukwu
  • Yoruba:  Koropo, Tomati aiye, Efo-oke, Efo-egusi

Description:

 Physalis angulata is an annual herb with procumbent, erect, hollow and robust glabrous stems that are sharply angled with short appressed hairs. It is characterized by its angular, branched stems and heart-shaped or ovate leaves and grows up to 1 m high. The leaves are arranged spirally, they are simple and measure about 4-10 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. The petioles are up to 4 cm long or longer. The leaves are usually bright green in colour with margins that are usually irregularly toothed but may be smooth.

The flowers are borne on stalks from 5-40 mm in length. The corolla is yellow-orange coloured, usually without spots or occasionally with distinct spots, and is from 4-12 mm long and 6-12 mm wide. The anthers are bluish or violet, up to 2.5 mm long and are borne on stalks up to 5 mm long. The green outer layer is 4-7 mm long with triangular lobes about as long as the tube. The fruit is about the size of a cherry tomato, and like tomatoes that contains many seeds. 

The fruit is a succulent, globose berry, usually hairless; however, occasional plants have short apprised hairs especially on the younger parts. The fruit is about 10–16 mm in diameter, yellow, viscid, many-seeded, enclosed in the persistent, inflated bladdery calyx. This outer layer (calyx) grows around and encloses the fruit, becomes 10-angled or ribbed, 20-35 mm long and from 15-25 mm wide; it is borne on a stalk that is about 1-4 cm long. The seeds are kidney-shaped, 1.5–2 mm × 1–1.5 mm. The fruit is succulent in nature and tangy in taste although sometimes it may be bitter.

Cultivation/Propagation

  • It is propagated easily by seed.

Medicinal Benefits

  • It is known to possess antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antimalarial, antileishmanial, antinociceptive, immunosuppressive, antiasthmatic, diuretic, anticancer/antitumour, antidiabetic, antifibrotic, antileukemia, anti trypanosomal, molluscicidal, anti-hepatoma, anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic and molluscicidal properties.
  • Extracts of Physalis angulata have proven effectiveness against both human African sleeping sickness and Chagas’ disease. They also have an inhibitory effect against several strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
  • Used for the management of asthma, anaemia, urinary problems, rheumatism, and tumors.
  • Rich content of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, and physalins.
  • Used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea and dysentery.
  • Used for the management of post-partum pains.
  • Used as a potent anti venom for snake bite

Other Benefits:

  • The fruits are edible and can be consumed raw or used in jams, jellies, and desserts. Its sweet-tart flavor makes it a unique addition to various culinary dishes.
  • The fruits are used to make sauces commonly accompanied by other plants species such as onion peppers (Capsicum sp.) of various kinds
  • Its flowers are known to attract pollinators like bees, which can be beneficial for the surrounding flora and contribute to biodiversity.
  • The plant can help in soil stabilization and improvement due to its robust root system, which prevents soil erosion.
  • Used in gardens as an ornamental plant for its unique appearance and fruit.
  • The leaves are eaten as a salad, although the taste is bitter.
  • Plant extracts have insecticidal properties.
  • Fruits and leaves yield a yellow dye.

How it is used:

  • Leaves are eaten or applied as an enema to cure stomach-ache, colic, lithiasis and anuria, and are added to palm wine to cure fever and to calm attacks of asthma, vomiting and diarrhoea.
  • The infusion of the leaves is used for:
    • Treatment of asthma, earache, gonorrhea, hemorrhage, hepatitis, infections, inflammation, liver disorders, postpartum infection, rheumatism, and worm infestation including schistosomiasis.
    • Treatment of fevers, gonorrhea, jaundice, liver diseases, malaria, nephritis, postpartum hemorrhage, rashes, skin sores, sleeping sickness and tumors.
    • Serves as a sedative and could be taken to assists night sleep.
    • Postpartum care and inducing diuresis
  • The leaves are used topically to the following:
    • Treatment of skin ailments such as itch, smallpox pustules, whitlow lesions, infected scarification wounds and rheumatic pain, and to relieve muscular stiffness and pain.
    • Applied to Guinea worm sores to kill the worms and ease extraction.
  • The infusion of the whole plant is taken to treat gonorrhoea, indigestion, constipation, nephritis, fever, worm infestation and stomach pain.
  • The root decoction (or taken as tea) is used for the following:
    • Treatment diabetes, earache, fever, hepatitis, jaundice, liver disorders, malaria and rheumatism. For the treatment of diabetes, a glass of the macerated root combined with honey is taken twice daily for 60 days.
    • Treatment of hepatitis symptoms, anemia, urine infection, stomachache, prostate and kidney stones.
    • Treatment of fevers.
  • The fruits are used for the treatment of infections, infertility, inflammation, postpartum infection, skin diseases and snake bite.
  • The unripe fruit is used topically to treat scabies

Reported Side Effects/Caution:

While Physalis angulata offers numerous health benefits, caution should be exercised due to the following potential side effects:

  • The plant’s compounds may interact with certain medications, particularly those that affect the immune system or blood sugar levels. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional before using the plant, especially for individuals on medication.
  • Unripe fruit and other parts of the plant may contain toxic compounds that can cause gastrointestinal distress, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the fruit is fully ripe before consumption.
  • There is limited information on the safety of the plant during pregnancy and breastfeeding, thus its use is generally not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
  • Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to the plant, which can manifest as skin rashes, itching, or difficulty breathing.
  • The fruit is eaten as a snack, but eating too many fruits may cause dizziness.  

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