Wolfberry

Chinese Wolfberry (枸杞子 gou³ qi³ zi³ or 寧夏枸杞 ning²xia⁴ gou³ qi³) is the common name for the fruit of Lycium barbarum or L. chinense, a species boxthorn in the family Solanaceae. It is also known pharmacologically as Lycii Fructus (lycium fruit).

Wolfberries and lycium bark play important roles in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where they are believed to enhance immune system function, help eyesight, protect the liver, boost sperm production, and improve circulation, among other effects. In TCM terms, wolfberries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature; they act on the liver, lung, and kidney channels and enrich yin. They can be eaten raw, brewed into a tea, or prepared as a tincture.

As a food, dried wolfberries are also eaten raw or cooked. Their taste is similar to that of raisins.

Wolfberries contain beta-carotene, Vitamins C, B₁, B₂ and other vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.

Wolfberry is also another name for the western snowberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis.

External links

• NHIondemand database
• PDR for Herbal Remedies
• Plant-life.org
• Searching for wolfberry on the Pubmed database finds 50+ papers of interest