苦蘵為台灣常見之民間用草藥,全草均可使用,經常出現在青草茶的配方中,且為民間婦科要藥。苦蘵在許多國家均有使用的記錄,近年來世界各國對苦蘵的藥用研究相當多,台灣也有許多苦蘵的研究成果,可以證明本草綱目中所記載或是民間所流傳的苦蘵功效有其學理根據,甚至更進一步發現苦蘵的抗癌功效。
As a kind of important folk medicine in gynecology and a common ingredient of herb tea, Physalis Angulata has been used in folk medicine in Taiwan for long time. The whole plant of Physalis Angulata is usable. There are usage records of Physalis Angulata in many countries. With various medicinal researching achievements on Physalis Angulata in many countries including Taiwan in recent years, it showed that there are really theoretical evidences supporting Physalis Angulata's effectiveness which was recorded in ”Compendium of Materia Medica (Bencao Gangmu)” and spreads among people. Furthermore, Physalis Angulata has been demonstrated with anti-cancer effects.