Physalis peruviana
Cape gooseberry
Physalis peruviana, commonly known as the Goldenberry or Cape Gooseberry, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its antioxidant-rich profile, it offers significant health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting properties, making it a valuable natural resource in traditional and modern holistic medicine.
- Scientific name: Physalis peruviana
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered as Solanales and placed in the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation falls under the genus Physalis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Physalis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Physalis peruviana, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Dhivehi, it is referred to as މުރާކި, while in Chinese, its common names vary slightly by script and region: it is called 灯笼果 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans and zh-cn), 燈籠果 in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), and 燈籠果 in the Hong Kong dialect (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | މުރާކި | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 灯笼果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 燈籠果 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 燈籠果 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 灯笼果 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 灯笼果 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 秘魯苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| pl | Miechunka peruwiańska | Wikidata |
| udm | Перуысь физалис | Wikidata |
| qu | Awaymantu | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, its presence is noted in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found growing in Austria. It also has a documented range within the borders of Belgium. Finally, its distribution extends further east to include the Czechia-Slovakia region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the golden berry or Inca berry, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic properties. Practitioners often utilize the whole plant to prepare infusions, as it contains a variety of bioactive compounds. While the whole plants can be dried for various applications, the most recognizable medicinal components are the fruits. These small, tangy fruits are encased in papery, lantern-like structures known as calyces, which protect the ripening berries. Often, the medicinal essence is concentrated within the pulp of the fruit, making it a vital part of many herbal remedies.- Total parts
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 18
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| calyces | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| small stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fresh fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Physalis peruviana has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include withanolides, flavonoids, Honokiol, chlorophyll, cuscohygrine.
- Total chemicals
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| withanolides | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Honokiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorophyll | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cuscohygrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phyperunolide F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physalactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physalolactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Physalis peruviana has 7 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antihepatotoxic, Antiinflammatory, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Physalis peruviana has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, colon cancer, oxidative damage, antioxidant, arthritis.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative damage | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cadmium | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fibrosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glioblastoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |