Boxthorn / Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) seeds

Boxthorn is a deciduous, fully hardy shrub that bears the typically pale-violet blossoms of Solanaceae. For a long time, it had only been used as a decorative plant and for soil fortification on the central reservations of German motorways until the health-promoting effect and edibility of the berries became known to a broader audience.

The sweet red goji berries of boxthorn are mainly used dried and taste similar to raisins. In China (their original home), they are considered as a nourishing tonic and a mild aphrodisiac. Boxthorn is a medicinal plant of TCM (= Traditional Chinese Medicine). The berries are used for the strengthening of the yin.

In Germany, the goji berry belongs to the so-called 'Superfoods' due to its very high concentration of vital substances. The berries are eaten fresh or dried in cereals, yogurt, or in smoothies.

The root system can be very invasive as soon as the plant has established itself. The strong formation of offshoots can only be hindered with a rhizome barrier. For that reason, boxthorn is also often used for the fortification of slopes.