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| Latin: |
Lycium chinense |
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| Origin: |
Wolfberry is the leaves and the whole plant of the deciduous shrub Lycium chinense Mill., or Lycium barbarum L., of the family Solanaceae. Native to east Asia and Europe, it grows wild on hillsides in the cooler regions of northern China and Europe. However, it is also grown as a cultivated plant in almost all parts of China and in some other regions of Asia, as well as naturalized in Britain, the Middle East and North America.
The shrub grows to about 2.5 m by 2 m at a medium rate. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees. The plant can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
The tender leaves of the plant are edible and the fruits and roots are used as medicinal foods. The bright red berry, the wolfberry fruit, is one of the most commonly used herbal foods in China.
Also called Lycium, Matrimony Vine, Chinese Desertthorn, Box Thorn and Chinese Wolfberry.
See also Food, Fruits, Wolfberry Fruit; Herbs, Tonics for Deficiency Syndromes, Yin Tonics, Wolfberry Fruit; and Herbs, Heat Clearing Herbs to Clear Heat of the Deficiency Type, Wolfberry Bark. |
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| Properties: |
| Slightly bitter and sweet in flavor, cool in nature, it is related to the channels of the liver and kidney. |
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| Functions: |
| Clears heat of the deficiency type, benefits the liver and the kidneys, brightens the eyes. |
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| Applications: |
1. Wolfberry is used for fever because of deficiency of yin and relieves thirst and dry mouth:
Cook wolfberry in soup and drink the soup.
2. Used for red and painful eyes due to heat in liver, unclear vision, night blindness due to deficiency of yin in liver and kidneys:
Cook wolfberry with wolfberry fruit and pork liver.
3. Used for pain in gum due to heat of the deficiency type or deficient of yin in kidneys:
Serve cooked wolfberry in cool dish. |
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| Dosage and Administration: |
| Consume cooked wolfberry in cool dish; or in porridge; or in soup. |
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| Cautions on Use: |
Although no records of toxicity have been seen, some caution should be exercised with this species, particularly with regard to its edible leaves, since it belongs to a family that often contains toxins. However, use of the leaves is well documented and fairly widespread in some areas, particularly in China.
The unripe fruit might also be suspect though the ripe fruit is wholesome. |
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| Modern Researches: |
Wolfberry leaves contain vitamin C.
Wolfberry leaves have similar medicinal effects as the wolfberry fruits, though the effects of the fruits are stronger. Therefore, consumption of the leaves can also help to clear heat and brighten the eyes. They are also used in dizziness, hypertension, dry mouth and throatache, etc. |
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