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Lycium |
Botanical name |
Lycium chinensis |
Common name |
Chinese Wolfberry, Matrimony Vine, Chinese boxthorn |
Family |
Solanaceae |
Pin yin name |
Gou Qi Zi |
Pin yin description |
Gou is the term for this specific plant; gou qi, in ancient times, referred to the willow, that has a similar shape; zi = fruits, especially small
fruits |
Part used |
Fruit
(collected in summer and autumn when the fruit turns orange-red) |
Taste |
Sweet |
Traditional Chinese uses |
Supplement blood and yin, nourish liver and kidney, brighten the eyes, moisten the lung |
Traditional Chinese applications |
Weak eyesight; dizziness; soreness and weakness of the low back and legs; diabetes due to liver and kidney deficiency; dry cough due to deficiency
of yin; impotence; dry skin and dry hair |
Possible unwanted effects |
None known |
Herb drug interactions |
None reported |
TCM and other contraindications |
Loose stool due to deficiency of spleen; externally-contracted excess heat syndromes
Formulas |
Subhuti Dharmananda, Ph.D. |
Institute for Traditional Medicine |
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Physical Characteristics A decidious
shrub growing to 2.5m by 2m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from June to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. We rate
it 4 out of 5 for usefulness.The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and
basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure. Medicinal Uses
Antibacterial; Antipyretic; Cancer; Haemostatic; Hepatic; Hypoglycaemic; Infertility; Kidney; Ophthalmic; Tonic; Vasodilator.
Chinese boxthorn is a major Chinese tonic herb with a history of almost 2,000 years of medicinal use. Both the berries and the root are used and traditionally the plant is believed to promote long life.
The fruit is one of the most popular tonics used in Chinese herbal medicine. A decoction is used to clear the vision, strengthen the kidneys, restore semen and nourish the liver. The fruit protects
the liver from damage caused by exposure to toxins. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, vertigo, nocturnal emissions and aching back and legs.
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly
good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or
reversing the growth of cancers.
The seed is used as a haemostat for the control of bleeding, with a special action on the kidneys and sex organs.
The root bark is antibacterial, antipyretic, hepatic, hypoglycaemic and vasodilator. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as
digestive secretions. The root is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia in small children, chronic febrile disease, night sweats, cough and asthma, tuberculosis,
hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The root can be harvested at any time of the year but traditionally it is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use.
The root bark contains betaine. This can increase the rate of growth of farm animals and increase the weight and amount of eggs, it is used in the treatment of achlorhydria,
atherosclerosis and hepatic diseases.
BUY LUCIUM
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Thumbs-up from the China Minister of Commerce, BoXiLi |
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Authorized Suppliers
Government of China |
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