Lycium barbarum
Lycium barbarum, commonly known as goji berry, is a powerhouse of nutrition celebrated in traditional Chinese medicine. These vibrant red berries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and essential minerals. Renowned for supporting immune health, vision, and longevity, they serve as a versatile superfood in both culinary and therapeutic applications.
- Scientific name: Lycium barbarum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Lycium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Lycium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the borders of Denmark and Great Britain. Additionally, its presence extends to the island of Ireland. The species is also documented in the Scandinavian territories of Norway and Sweden. Together, these locations define its known range within the northern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Chemicals
Lycium barbarum has 117 reported phytochemicals identified across 158 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include carotenoids, flavonoids, flavonoid, glucose, betaine.
- Total chemicals
- 117
- Scientific sources
- 158
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| carotenoids | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glucose | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| betaine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| carotenoid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polysaccharide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rutin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| abscisic acid (ABA) | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lycium barbarum has 20 reported activities identified across 40 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitumor, Neuroprotective, Antidiabetic, Hepatoprotective.
- Total activities
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 40
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Antitumor | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angiogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antianxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiapoptotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifatigue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lycium barbarum has 79 reported medicinal uses identified across 101 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include age-related macular degeneration, antioxidant, apoptosis, fatigue, hypertension.
- Total uses
- 79
- Scientific sources
- 101
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| age-related macular degeneration | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| NAFLD | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |