Chinese gooseberry is an edible wild fruit with a sour taste, similar to cherries. It is sour and sweet, and besides being edible, it can also be used in medicine to reduce inflammation and relieve sore throat. Let's take a closer look at the Chinese gooseberry.
Image of Chinese gooseberry
The Chinese gooseberry gets its name from its taste. When it ripens and turns red or dark purple, it becomes sour and slightly sweet. However, when it is unripe and green, it can be quite sour and astringent, so it is generally not recommended to eat it. However, it can be used as a "bamboo cannonball" to play with, as it produces a crisp sound when fired. For mature fruits, they have good therapeutic value and can be used as Chinese medicinal materials.
Although it is a wild fruit, it contains rich nutrients such as vitamin C and anthocyanins, which have anti-aging and beauty effects and can be used for female skincare.
It is used in folk medicine to strengthen the blood, for conditions such as blood deficiency, bleeding gums, anemia, etc. It is also rich in vitamin C, so it can be used to treat vitamin C deficiency. Moreover, it can also be effective in treating common bruises and injuries.
Image of Chinese gooseberry
Generally, fruits with sour taste have digestive benefits and have some medicinal value for conditions such as loss of appetite and insufficient stomach acid.
Usually, the Chinese gooseberry can be boiled and consumed as a tea, which is also applicable for bleeding gums. Generally, it can be used to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria for common conditions such as pharyngitis, oral inflammation, bleeding gums, athlete's foot, and various ulcers.
The Chinese gooseberry mainly grows in high-altitude areas with lush trees and mountainous valleys. When the fruits are unripe, they are green and should not be eaten as they are sour and astringent. However, when they ripen around May to June each year, the fruits turn red or black-purple and become sour and sweet, very delicious.
Image of Chinese gooseberry
The roots, leaves, and fruits of the Chinese gooseberry can be used in medicine, but in rural areas, people usually only collect fresh fruits and dry them for consumption.
The Chinese gooseberry has been recorded in various traditional Chinese medicine books for its therapeutic effects: it is effective in strengthening and replenishing blood, and can effectively treat loss of appetite. It also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and detoxifying effects.
Because the fruit itself is sour, it has a good therapeutic effect on people with insufficient stomach acid. The fruit of the Chinese gooseberry is rich in vitamins, which can assist in the treatment of many diseases. In some regions, farmers use this fruit to make wine, which has the effect of strengthening the body.
