Lycium Chinese

Figure 3 Lycium harharum (Lycium Chinese, Chinese wolfberry, Gou Qi Zi, Fructus Lycii Chinensis).

Wu SJ, Ng LT, Lin CC. Antioxidant activities of some common ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, Angelica sinensis, Lycium barbarum and Poria cocos. Phytother Res 2004 18(12) 1008-12. 

Capsicum annum (chili pepper) Datura Candida (angel s trumpet) Datura stramonium (Jimson weed) Datura suaveolens (angel s trumpet) Lycium barbarum (Chinese wolfberry)... 

Lycium barbarum (Chinese wolfberry) contains a variety of steroids. A tea prepared from it is used in China as a general tonic. 

Information on the safety of lycium fruit in pregnancy is limited. While one Chinese medicine reference text advises caution for use in pregnancy, based on a study in rabbits showing that lycium fruit had a stimulating effect on the uterus (Chen and Chen 2004), another text lists no concerns for use in pregnancy (Bensky et al. 2004). 

A Chinese herbal text indicates that lycium fruit is generally regarded as safe, with no adverse effects expected at the normal dose. Allergic reactions, including urticaria-like or papular rashes, have been reported (Bensky et al. 2004). 

Xing ST (1988) The effects of Lycium barb arum on the immunological function in the elderly over 60 years old. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica 4 43... 

Du SY, Zliang X, Qian YK (1994) The immunomodulatory effects of Lycium barbarum extractions and its mechanism. 3rd International Congress on Ethnopharmacology and Its Contemporary Utilization. China Pharmaceutical Association, Beijing, C-35 Gu SN (1990) Elevated effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides combined with the complex therapy on 20 cases of primary hepatocarcinoma. Pharmacology and Clinics of Chinese Materia Medica 6 35... 

A precursor of ascorbic acid, 2-0-(P-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid, was recently isolated from both the ripe fresh fruit and dried fruit of Lycium barbarum (Solanaceae) known as Chinese wolfberry or Chinese boxthorn, which is native to south eastern Europe and Asia. The dried fruit contains 2-0-(P-D-glucopyranosyl)ascorbic acid at a level of 5000 mg/kg, which is comparable to the ascorbic acid content of fresh lemons. 

Traditional Medicine. First described in the Ming Yi Bie Lu (ca. ad 200), lycium fruit is one of the most commonly used Chinese yin tonics. Traditionally regarded as sweet tasting... 

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