Synonyms: Box Thorn, Chinese Matrimony Vine, Chinese Wolfberry, Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree, Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree, Go Qi Zi, Goat Milk, Gou Qi Zi, Kou Chi Tzu, Lycii Fructus, Wolfberry, Yang Ru (Goat Milk)
Family: Solanaceae
Genus species: Lycium barbarum (syn. Lycium halimifolium), Lycium chinense (Chinese Matrimony Vine), Lycium barbatum
Type: Deciduous shrub
Part Used: Dried ripe fruit
Location: Lycium barbarum; northern Asia, U.S., Lycium chinense; eastern Asia, U.S., China, Japan
Actions: Anti-aging, antihypercholesterolemic, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipemic, antihypertensive, antinyctalopic, antiperoxidative, antituberculotic, antitumor, blood purifier, circulatory alterative, hemostyptic, hepatic, immunostimulant, improves vision, increases SOD levels, kidney alterative, liver alterative, nutritive, tonic
Indications: Atherosclerosis, blurred vision, cough, debility, diabetes mellitus, dizziness, fatigue, headache, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, impotence, kidney disorders, liver disorders, lumbago, night blindness, nocturnal emission, poor eyesight, seminal emissions, senility, side effects from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, spermatorrhea, tinnitus aurium, tuberculosis, vertigo, Topically: Bedsore, bleeding, burns, canker sores, frostbite, furuncle, ulcer
Chemicals & Nutrients: Betaine, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium
Preparation & Dosages:
Decoction: 6-12 g, in 2-3 doses
Contraindications: Arthritis, fever, pregnancy.
Drug Interactions: May potentiate antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) drugs. Due to the antihypertensive (hypotensive) action of this herb the following interactions are possible: when taken with anesthetics an increased hypotensive effect; potentiation of antihypertensives; when taken with diuretics difficulty with diuresis and hypertension may result; antagonism of sympathomimetics.