Lycium

Botanical name

Lycium chinensis

Common name

Chinese Wolfberry, Matrimony Vine, Chinese boxthorn

Family

Solanaceae

Pin yin name

Gou Qi Zi  (Go Ji)

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

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.

WHERE CAN I BUY FRESH LYCIUM (GO JI)

Global Access China Limited