Matrimony Vine

This genus of about 100 species of deciduous and evergreen, often spiny shrubs occurs in most temperate and subtropical regions. Lycium barbarum is a useful, fast-growing shrub for hedging., especially in coastal sites or on unstable, sandy banks. The fruits are attractive in autumn. In cultivation, it is often labeled L. europaeum. According to European folklore, boxthorn causes discord between husband and wife if planted near the home; hence the common name "matrimony vine." The root bark and fruits of both L. barbarum and L. chinense are used in identical ways in Chinese medicine; the bark was first mentioned c. CE500, and the fruits in texts dating to 206BCE - CE23, but based on much earlier records. Lycium chinense differs from L. barbarum in being seldom spiny, and having slightly larger leaves, flowers and fruits. The leaves of L. chinense have a minty aroma so are used for flavoring and to make a tea known as Lord Macartney's tea; the fruits are sweet, with a licorice-like flavor. Other species with similar properties, such as L. dasystemum and L. turcomanicum, are often used as substitutes for L. barbarum and L. chinense. In common with most members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Lycium species contain poisonous alkaloids. Lycium comes from the Greek lykion, the name given by Dioscorides to a thorny shrub from Lycia, in Asia Minor.

Deciduous, arching, often spiny shrub, with elliptic to ovate leaves, to 6cm (2½in) long. Small purple, lilac or pink, funnel-shaped flowers appear in summer, followed by ovoid, orange red, to yellow berries, to 2cm (¾in) long.

Common Name:	Matrimony Vine
Other Names:	Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree, Boxthorn, Wolfberry
Botanical Name:	Lycium barbarum syn. L. halimifolium
Genus:	Lycium
Family:	Solanaceae
Cultivation:	Sandy, alkaline, moist but well-drained soil in sun. Remove dead wood in winter and cut back to control growth in spring. Prune plants grown for commercial use two to three times a year to encourage a compact, well-branched shrub for heavier fruiting and easier harvesting.
Propagation:	By seed sown in autumn; by softwood cuttings in summer; by hardwood cutting in winter.
Harvest:	Bark is stripped from roots in winter and dried for decoctions, pills, and powders. Fruits are collected in autumn and dried for decoctions.
Native Location:	S Europe to China
Height:	3.5m (11ft)
Width:	5m (15ft)
Hardiness:	Z5-9
Parts Used:	Root bark (di gu pi), fruits (gou qi zi).
Properties:	Fruits produce a sweet, tonic decoction that lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, acting mainly on the liver and kidneys. The bitter, cooling, anti-bacterial root bark controls coughs and lowers fevers, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Medicinal Uses:	Internally for high blood pressure, diabetes, poor eyesight, vertigo, lumbago, impotence, and menopausal complaints (fruits); chronic fevers, internal hemorrhage, nosebleed, tuberculosis, coughs, asthma, plantar warts, and childhood eczema (root bark). Externally for genital itching.
Culinary Uses:	Fruits are added to Chinese tonic soups. Leaves used for making tea, notably Essential Harmony, a classic Chinese herbal tea.
Economic Uses:	Fruit extracts are added to soft drinks.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 267