Lycium chinense
Lycium chinense, commonly known as Chinese Goji berry, is a versatile medicinal shrub celebrated in traditional Chinese medicine. Renowned for its antioxidant properties, these vibrant red berries support immune function, enhance vision, and promote longevity. This nutrient-dense superfood serves as a vital tonic for holistic health and vitality.
- Scientific name: Lycium chinense
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by the 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 |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Lycium chinense, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is called Kolcowój chiński, while in Sweden, it is referred to as Bredbladigt bocktörne. In the Netherlands, the species is known as Chinese boksdoorn, and in Slovakia, it is identified as Kustovnica čínska. Additionally, in Persian, the plant is called لیسیوم چینی.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Kolcowój chiński | Wikidata |
| sv | Bredbladigt bocktörne | Wikidata |
| nl | Chinese boksdoorn | Wikidata |
| sk | Kustovnica čínska | Wikidata |
| fa | لیسیوم چینی | Wikidata |
| fi | kiinanpukinpensas | Wikidata |
| cs | kustovnice čínská | Wikidata |
| ru | Дереза китайская | Wikidata |
| cy | Ysbeinwydden Tsieina | Wikidata |
| ja | クコ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Great Britain, Ireland, and Sweden. Moving toward the central part of the continent, it can also be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, the species inhabits the territories of Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. Consequently, these locations map out a significant geographical range for the species across both northern and central latitudes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as wolfberry or goji, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties. The most widely recognized part is the fruit, specifically the vibrant red fruits that are harvested for their high antioxidant content. In addition to the fruits, the leaves are sometimes used in traditional preparations, while the shoot tip is collected for specific therapeutic applications. Overall, every part of the fruit and the vegetative structures play a role in the plant's diverse pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 17
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| red fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoot tip | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial and root parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Lycium chinense has 75 reported phytochemicals identified across 83 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include betaine, carotenoids, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol, threonine.
- Total chemicals
- 75
- Scientific sources
- 83
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| betaine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| threonine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| zinc | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (E/Z)-phytoene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1D-Myo-Inositol-1,4-Bisphosphate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AsA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Lycium chinense has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antihepatotoxic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Lycium chinense has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include stroke, Dry eye disease, Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma mansoni, amnesia.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stroke | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dry eye disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fasciola hepatica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Schistosoma mansoni | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amnesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dementia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erythrocyte counts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fascioliasis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |