Description
Goji berries or wolfberries are about 2cm in diameter and has a mild liquorice flavour. Only fully ripe berries should be consumed.
Although leaves are mentioned as edible, caution should be excersiced as the plant belongs to the nightshade family whish has some toxicity.
Young shoots can be cooked and used as a vegetable.
Medicinal actions include being antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, anti-cancer, diuretic, hypoglycaemic, ophthalmi, purgative, skin, tonic, and vasodilator.
Blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels can be lowered by a sweet tonic made from the fruit. Acting on the liver and kidneys, the fruit is taken for a variety of conditions including diabetes, poor eyesight and vertigo. The bark is also used medicinally. It is being investigated for its effects on preventing cancer and even reversing cancer.
It can be used horticulturally to stabilise soils.