Common buckthorn belongs to the nightshade family and is classified in the genus buckthorn. The original home of this plant is China, where it is widely used as a medicinal plant. Its fruit is known as goji berry.
Occurrence and cultivation of the common buckthorn.
Also known as common buckthorn, common devil’s twine or Chinese wolfberry, the plant is a deciduous shrub that grows two to four meters high. The common buckthorn originates from China, where it is used as a medicinal plant, especially because of its fruits. As a so-called neophyte, the plant then spread to other parts of the world as a cultivated plant. In Germany, it thrives especially on fences or walls, mostly near eastern German cities. More rarely, it is found in western Germany. The plant does not tolerate soils rich in salt or polluted with heavy metals. In southern countries, common buckthorn is often found running wild because it was often used there to plant dams or as an ornamental plant. Also called common buckthorn, common devil’s twine, or Chinese wolfberry, it is a deciduous shrub that grows two to four feet tall. Its prickly, arching branches bear elongated gray-green leaves. Common buckthorn blooms from June to August and sometimes into September.
Effect and application
As already mentioned, the common buckthorn is used especially in China as a medicinal plant. There it is also often used for cooking. Its fruit is called goji berry and is often eaten in cooked form or raw. The harvest of the fruit takes place in summer and autumn. After harvesting, they are dried in the sun and then processed. The leaves of young plants are often used in the preparation of leafy vegetables. In Europe, fruit juices are often sold that have been extracted from the goji berry and are said to have a variety of health benefits. The berries are stored in a frozen or dried state. Furthermore, the common goat thorn is also used as an ornamental plant or as a shrub for dam planting. Research has shown that the goji berry, like many other fruits and vegetables, have multiple beneficial health effects. A suggestion made towards the end of the nineteenth century that the common goat thorn was poisonous has not been confirmed. The plant’s toxicity was said to stem from its content of hyoscyamine, a poisonous alkaloid. However, no hyoscyamine was found. Instead, the plant contains important ingredients that are of great health significance. For example, its constituents zeaxanthin and lutein are said to have important medicinal effects. In particular, it is postulated that extracts from the common buckthorn protect against the destruction of the optic nerve in cases of glaucoma. Furthermore, the polysaccharides contained in the plant are said to strengthen the immune system. According to some studies, the aqueous extract of common buckthorn has a strong antioxidant effect. An effectiveness against cancer is suspected, but could not yet be verified. The extent to which goji berries possess ingredients that act against oxidative stress and can effectively scavenge free radicals has yet to be proven by further studies. At present, however, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the evidence is not yet sufficient. On the other hand, according to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, there are no indications of any harmful effects of goji berries. However, their consumption at the same time as taking vitamin K antagonists, such as Marcumar, can further increase the blood-thinning effect, so that severe bleeding that is difficult to stop cannot be ruled out. In general, however, it can be assumed that the positive medicinal effects of common buckthorn predominate.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
The common buckthorn and especially its fruit, the goji berry, are attributed healing effects against many physical and psychological ailments. Thus, the regulating effect of goji berries on the immune system has been described. Thus, such diseases as allergies or autoimmune diseases can be successfully treated with their help. Goji berries are also said to have a positive effect on the intestinal flora. Thus, an intestinal rehabilitation can be supported by their intake.The carotenoids zeaxanthin and lutein contained in the goji berry also strengthen the performance of the eyes and protect the optic nerves from their destruction in case of glaucoma. Furthermore, it was found that the berries can also slightly lower blood sugar levels, which opens very interesting prospects for diabetics. The positive effect of the fruit on blood pressure has also been described. Inflammatory processes in the body are alleviated, so that the berries can also be used supportively in cancer. Protection against cancer has been suspected, but has not yet been clearly proven. Since Goji berries also have a satiating effect, they are used among other things in dietary supplements for diets. However, they do not work miracles here, but could contribute to a change in eating behavior in the long term. The polysaccharides in goji berries also strengthen muscle performance, among other things, so they are also very popular with athletes. There is even evidence that the fruits can also help with psychological problems. That is why today they partially support the therapies for depression, fatigue and burnout. The minerals contained in the berries strengthen the nerves and increase the ability to concentrate. The application of Goji berries is very simple. Especially popular are the Goji juices, which have a high fruit content. Furthermore, Goji teas, Goji capsules and dried or fresh Goji berries are also available in stores. Overall, the common goat thorn and especially its fruits have good therapy supporting and preventive effects.
