Pao Zai Cao
English Name: physalis angulata, cut-leaf groundcherry
Pharmaceutical Name:Herba Physalis Angulatae
Medica Category: Heat-Clearing and Toxin-Eliminating Herbs
Properties: Pao Zai Cao enters the Lung, Urinary Bladder, Liver, and Kidney channels; it is bitter in nature and cool in temperature.
What is Pao Zai Cao?:
The Chinese Herb Pai Zai Cao is dried cut-leaf groundcherry (the entire plant—Physalis angulata L.), a plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) not to be confused with Physalis peruviana (the Cape gooseberry). Physalis angulata is native to the American tropics but is now found growing throughout the world in marginal or disturbed areas (e.g. along roadsides, in fallow lands, in undeveloped urban areas etc…). The flowers are pale yellow, and in the late summer a yellow-orange fruit grows out of the plant’s calyx. This plant has a wide variety of uses in various folk medicinal traditions throughout the Americas and Southeast Asia; its uses contemporary Chinese medicinal uses are discussed briefly below.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Therapeutic Actions of Pao Zai Cao:
Pao Zai Cao clears heat from the Lung to stop coughing and help treat sore throat.
Pao Zai Cao reduces inflammation and clears heat-toxins to treat various gynecological disorders as well as other manifestations of heat and toxicity in the both the Stomach and lower jiao.