#lycium

Plant of the Day

Monday 13 January 2025

Found along a pathway in an urban situation was this casccade of goji berries on Lycium barbarum (Duke of Argyll's tea tree, Barbary box thorn, Barbary wolfberry, Chinese box thorn, matrimony vine, Tibetan goji berry, vicar's tea party, European box thorn). This scrambling, deciduous shrub can reach up to 3m tall. The flexible spiny stems have narrow, dull green leaves and small, dull purple flowers in late spring and summer. The species can be invasive.

Black goji berries!! (Lycium ruthenicum, 10 days) They're very smol...

Scientific Names: Lycium barbarum Other Common Names: Tibetan goji berry, wolfberry, bastard jasmine, common matrimony vine, prickly box, Duke of Argyll’s tea tree, tea tree. Note: do not confuse with tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) Overall Safety: 😊  

Therapeutic Efficacy and Considerations:

Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): 😐 The clinical efficacy of taking lycium supplements has never been examined. One human trial has been conducted that demonstrated that lycium intake increases plasma zeaxanthin levels. Epidemiological studies and some clinical trials suggest that increased zeaxanthin may protect against retinal damage and development of age-related macular degeneration. More studies of lycium are warranted, but at this time, it is not possible to recommend lycium supplements over obtaining zeaxanthin in the diet or via zeaxanthin supplements. Dose: not determined; trial used 15 g/day of dried berries.

Note: Lycium berries, more commonly called goji berries, are becoming an increasingly popular food/snack item in the U.S. See Drug Interactions section.

Chemistry/Pharmacology: Lycium berries contain beta-sitosterol, betaine, beta-carotene, niacin, pyridoxin, zeaxanthin, B vitamins, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and cerebroside. Beta-sitosterol has the ability to reduce cholesterol levels by preventing its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Betaine has uterine stimulant and diuretic properties. The cerebroside constituent found within lycium berries may have hepatoprotective properties, while polysaccharide extracts have been shown to have significant effects on cancer cells and tumor growth. Lycium may have benefit over other antioxidant sources providing zeaxanthin, as it seems to have increase accumulation in the central fovea of the retina.

Drug Interactions: Lycium can inhibit CYP2C9 and increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP2C9, including warfarin, diazepam, and estradiol.

Contraindications/Precautions: Pregnancy/lactation (due to betaine content, an emmenagogue and abortifacient, large doses are likely unsafe).

Lycium boerhaviifolium 🔸 El complejo nombre se refiere a que las hojas se parecen a las del género Boerhavia, en honor a Herman Boerhaave (1668-1739), médico botánico y humanista holandés que convirtió él Jardín Botánico de Leiden en uno de los más admirados del mundo. En Chile la encontramos en las lomas de la cordillera de la Costa de la zona entre Taltal y Paposo, Chile.