The Little Goji Book

8/15/2019 The Little Goji Book

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Goji The fact, the myth and the fiction.

+ How we grow the berry.

Written and Published by

Mark & Pauline Beaumont

BEAUTANICALS AUSTRALIA



Te myth and the acts...

Goji or more correctly... Gou qizi

Tere seems to be an enormous amount o misinorma-tion circulating regarding the nutritional and healingproperties o the berries and there is also some conusionas to the geographical origins o the plants.

Te Australian climate seems perectly suited to theseplants, which may or may not have come rom the ibet-an plateau, but have certainly flourished in the Ningxia,Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, and Xinjiang Prov-inces in China rom where 90% o the export market is

sourced.

I there do happen to be amazing crops o the plantsomewhere in the mystic Himalayas then the growers arekeeping the berries to themselves, as there are no record-ed exports o any Lycium plant products rom that area.

Lycium’s also thrive to a great extent in Japan where theyare used in traditional Kampo remedies.raditional Chinese and Japanese Medicines holds astrong belie that this ruit can significantly extend lie.

Te root bark, (rom L.chinense only, not L.barbarum) asdecoction, certainly aids respiratory ailments. We haveand do use it or such complaints.



Goji is really no stranger to Australia though.Some decades ago, a ew bright but lazy armers broughtthe Arican Boxthorn (Lycium ericossimum) into thecountry to use as hedgerows.Unortunately, they did not bother to maintain these andit has become a major weed in many States o Australia.

Te berries are very attractive to birds, which naturallyencourages the spread. Tis problem becomes minimum

at best, i the berry is harvested and the plant maintained.

I properly maintained and trimmed oen, these plantswill also produce berries o exceptional quality.

I say this with qualification, because we have actually

grown the herbs and can speak rom personal experience.



Lycium barbarumGrowing rom seed

I you have purchased resh lycium berries, (Only possibleduring the fruiting season) they will come in plastic zip lockbags to maintain their moisture and viability.Te ollowing instructions apply i you have picked yourown berries and are wanting to ‘plant on’.

ry and spread the pulp o the berry around.It’s a sticky business but well worth the end result. Ex-tracting and planting the individual seeds usually justcuts down on the viability and is needlessly time con-suming.

Tree parts fill a tray or pot with seed raising mix, spreadthe berry pulp and seed and then sprinkle seed raisingmix and sand lightly over the berry to about 3mm - 5mmin depth.I you have purchased dry seed, it will need to be soakedor at least a day beore planting.

Ten carry one as above.Germination is usually around 7 days but will vary withsoil temperature.Planting dry seed is as effective as presoaking but willadd another week to germination time.

Once they have germinated.......

Te pots must not dry out so be careul, but, aer they



have broken the soil surace they do not like to be toowet.Once they have achieved their second set o leaves youcan tease them apart and give them an individual pot.Keep them reasonably protected until they have reached15 cm in height.

Tey will usually only generate one stem only in pots soit is best to put them out as soon as the weather allows so

that they can shoot multiple stems.Te more stems, the more berries. As with most youngseedlings, they require regular watering, but also need tohave some air circulation within the pot as well.I the seed raie mix that you have used, holds onto thewater over the period o a day, then it is possibly too

dense and is retaining too much moisture or the roots to‘breathe’.

Some coarse potting mix will help to remedy this situa-tion, added to the seed raise mix when you transplant.

Te image to the le is a group o seedlings plucked outand repotted singularly, ready to grow in their own pot.Tis is the right age or them to be transplanted.As with most young seedlings, they require regular wa-tering, but also need to have some air circulation withinthe pot as well.

As with most young seedlings, they require regular wa-tering, but also need to have some air circulation within



the pot as well.

I the ‘seed raising’ mix that you have used, holds ontothe water over the period o a day, then it is possibly toodense and is retaining too much moisture or the roots to‘breathe’.

Some coarse potting mix will help to remedy this situa-tion, added to the seed raise mix when you transplant.

Te image to the le is a group o seedlings plucked outand repotted singularly, ready to grow in their own pot.Tis is the right age or them to be transplanted.

Overall, they are a very hardy plant but they tend to ‘sulk’a little when posted or transplanted.

Teir normal sulking position is ‘drooping’, which theycan maintain or one to two weeks.So don’t think that you have done the wrong thing orthat it means certain death.

Planting out in the garden

We generally plant our new plants out in the aernoonsand water daily or at least a month.We use seaweed extract to help them overcome trans-plant shock and as Spring settles in, we ertilize with fishemulsion.



Tere is a natural inclination not to want to prune thelong shoots, but i you do trim off the growing tips, theplants will send up new stems rom the root.Te more stems, the more berries.reating the plants this way we always get some flowerand ruit in the first year.

Te Goji Seasons

We have them growing in ‘sandy loam’, ‘heavy clay’ andhighly composted soil and each seems to do as wellas the other. Tey need a good 8 hours o sun per daythough.

Ours are in ull sun and even i they get a little limp inthe middle o a scorching summer they brighten back upaer a water.

Te images ollowing, show the extent o pruning andregrowth, once established.

Te shrub variety can be prunned back almost to theground, but we preer to prune it to the top o the stakethat keeps it tidy.

Te bush sends orth it’s spring shoots in an umbrellashape that is convenient rom which to pick the berrieswith ease.



Summer Growth, pre flowering on a

2 year old Lycium barbarum



Winter prune back to maintain easy shape.



Spring regrowth on old wood.



Growing the Vine variety Lycium chinense

Lycium chinense or Wolferry or even Duke o Argyleea, is a very different growing experience to the Lyciumbarbarum. Tere is no denying the close amily relation-ship between the two, L.chinense behaves in the gardenin a very unique way.It has a growth habit more closely resembling a grape

vine than a bush.Because o this habit, it is very suited to potted planting,as long as the pot is large enough to allow the horizontalexpansion o root.Wider is better than deep.

Ten carry on, as with the L.barbarum.Plants certainly need something or support. Te lateralbranches can easily reach up to 6 metres in length.Once established, they are not bothered by rost or snowbut that will take two seasons in your soil or that to hap-pen.

Tey do the best in ull sun and can cope with a dryingout without any setback as long as they are settled in.We generally plant our new plants out at the very end owinter and water daily or at least a month.We use Kelp extract to help them overcome transplant

shock and as Spring settles in we ertilize with FishEmulsion.

Te plant responds to humidity by developing a white



coating on the leaves.Tis is not a problem or the plant but does worry somegrowers as it does look like a rampant ungal inection.Tere is no need to deal with this occurence as it willdisappear as soon as the humidity drops.We generally plant our new plants out at the very end owinter and water daily or at least a month.We use Kelp extract to help them overcome transplantshock and as Spring settles in we ertilize with Fish

Emulsion.Te plant responds to humidity by developing a whitecoating on the leaves. Tis is not a problem or the plantbut does worry some growers as it does look like a ram-pant ungal inection. Tere is no need to deal with thisoccurence as it will disappear as soon as the humidity

drops.Tis variety tend to develop very long lateral branchesrom which verticals shoot when seasonal growth is at it’speak.Allow the horizontals to keep going as they wish, as the

ruit will come on the vertical growth.reating the plants this way we always get some flowerand ruit in the first year.Sometimes 18 month old plants ruit at the beginningo summer and just as you are about to prune you maynotice that they are flowering again.

I so, the pruning should be delayed while you enjoy thesecond ruiting.



Growing Goji Commercially in Australia

Te idea o growing Goji berry or the commercial mar-ket, either as dried berry or resh, has been considered bymany over the last ew years.Te Australian climate is certainly accommodating to theplant, but unortunately Australia’s labour market is not.

Both varieties o Goji, ruit on a progressive basis, that is,

they ruit along the branches, one at a time. Tis meansthat some ruit will be picked today but more will beready tomorrow. Tis orm o ruiting requires daily visi-tation as the ruit must be ripe to pick. It will not ripenoff the bush.I the effort o picking is not an issue or you then it canbe quite a rewarding bush to grow.Plant bushes 1.5 metres apart in rows 3 metres apart.Tis will allow or convenient picking o berry. Lyciumbarbarum will ‘sucker’ up between the bushes in the sec-ond and third year, and these new bushes will replace the

old ones aer six to seven years.Lycium chinense will also send up suckers and, i theseare supported on a ence arrangement, they can be wo-

ven into the existing vines, creating quite a dense area oruiting branches.Fertilization can be applied twice per year, just beore

flowering, but little else is required.Winter prunning o L.barbarum is essential i shape and viable branches are to be expected.



Herbal ApplicationsEastern & Western

According to a 1997 herbal publication by ‘Hale Publish-ing’ and written by Brigitte Mars, the correct listing othe herb is as such:

Latin Name: Lycium chinenseAlternate Names:Matrimony Vine, Boxthorn, Wolferry, Kou Chi zuFamily: SOLANACEAE

Parts Used: Berries, root bark.Properties:Alterative, Antitussive, Aphrodisiac, Blood onic, Energy

onic, Eye onic, Febriuge, Hemostatic, Immune Stimu-lant, Liver onic, Nutritive, Rejuvenative, Yin onic.Internal Uses:Anemia, Asthma, Back Weakness, Bronchitis, Conva-lescence, Diabetes, Excessive Tirst, Fever, Hiccups,Impotence, Knee Weakness, Leukorrhea, Night Sweats,

Nocturnal Emissions, Pneumonia, Spermatorrhea, u-berculosis, VertigoInternal Applications: ea, incture, Berries.Improves night blindness, blurred vision and poor visiondue to malnutrition.

Lycii helps to remove toxins rom the kidneys and liver. It can also protect the liver rom damage as a result otoxin exposure.



opical Uses: Insect Bitesopical Applications: Leaves used as a poultice to treat insect bites.Culinary uses:Cook Lycii berries into soups or grain dishes. Use in-stead o raisins to add to oatmeal. Use in trail mix, wine.Young leaves and shoots are edible.Energetics: Sweet, Neutral, Moist.Chemical Constituents: Beta carotene, vitamin C, B-1,

and B-2, linoleic acid, betaine, beta-sitosterol, physaline.Contraindications:Avoid in cases o acute ever as it may drive the illnessdeeper. Do not use in instances where one is excessivelyhot, or in cases o diarrhea or bloatedness. Sae or dailyconsumption.

We have completed ‘BRIX’ readings on our resh ruitand can confirm that the ruit is consistently at least 36on the scale.

By way o comparison, Cherries, in excellent conditionrate at 25.Both varieties are deciduous but at different times o theyear.Te dried berries are usually or sale in the health oodstores as ‘Goji’, but that requently means a combination

o L.chinense and L.barbarum and L.ericossimum.



Herbal ApplicationsEastern & Western

Tese excerpts have been taken rom the Materia Medicao raditional Chinese Medicine, and I see no reason todoubt any o the traditional research into the herb by theChinese as they have been in contact with the plant orthousands o years and have used it on an amazing rangeand variety o people over that time.

Experience has to count above wishul thinking.Te Chinese practictioners have never differentiated be-tween varieties and use the two interchangeably.Te medicinal properties o the plant however, aretreated very differently.

Wolferry bark (Dig upi) Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex LyciiBotanical Name: 1. Lycium chinensis Mill.; 2. Lyciumbarbarum L.Common Name: Wolferry bark, Lycium bark

Source o Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao JingPart Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

Te roots are dug in spring or autumn. Te bark is peeledoff the roots, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.Properties & aste: Sweet or tasteless and cold

Meridians: Lung and kidney Functions: 1. o cool blood;2. o clear heat in the lungs



Indications & Combinations:1. Heat in the blood and deficient yin maniested as aer-noon ever and night sweating. Wolferry bark (Digupi)is used with Anemarrhena rhizome (Zhimu) and urtleshell (Biejia).2. Heat in the lungs and deficient yin maniested ascough, asthma and cough with blood. Wolferry bark(Digupi) is used with Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen)and Biota tops (Cebaiye).

Dosage: 6-15 gCautions & Contraindications: Tis herb is contraindi-cated in cases with ever due to common cold or weak-ness o the spleen accompanied by diarrhea.

Wolferry ruit (Gou qizi)

Pharmaceutical Name: Fructus LyciiBotanical Name: Lycium barbarum L.Common Name: Wolferry ruit, Lycium ruit

Source o Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao JingPart Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:

Te ripe ruit is gathered in the period around the Sum-mer Solstice (tenth solar term), and then it is dried in theshade.Properties & aste: Sweet and neutralMeridians: Liver, kidney and lungFunctions:1. o toniy kidneys and promote the production o es-



sence;2. o nourish the liver and brighten the eyes;3. o moisten the lungs.

Indications & Combinations:1. Deficient yin o the liver and kidneys maniested asdizziness, blurred vision and decreased eyesight.Wolferry ruit (Gou qizi) is used with Chrysanthemumflower (Ju hua) and Prepared rehmannia root (Shudi-

huang) in the ormula Qiju Dihuang Wan.

Dosage: 5-10 g



RECIPES

Wolferry Soup

INGREDIENS 2 tablespoons oil 250 g/8 oz tender pork, sliced thinly 3 cups Lycium leaves, washed and dried 1 cup o Lycium berries (resh or re-hydrated) 6 slices resh ginger 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger 1.5 litres/3 pints/6 cups chicken or pork stock 2 teaspoons sugar

salt and pepper to taste ew drops sesame oil MEHOD Heat oil and stir-ry the pork slices until they lose justtheir pinkness.

Add leaves and stir-ry until wilted.Add ginger slices and juice squeezed rom the tablespoono grated ginger.Pour in the stock and bring to a simmer. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste and just beore serv-

ing stir in the sesame oil.



Pauline’s Goji Chutney

Tis recipe is made rom the resh berries and herbs and

spices that we grow in our garden.

6 Delicious Apples - cut small1 cup o Lycium Berries2 inch long piece o Ginger - finely chopped or hal ateaspoon o dried Ginger

4 cloves o Garlic - finely chopped2 resh Red Chillies - finely chopped2 cups o White Sugar - White sugar is best as it creates abeautiul colourHal a cup o White Vinegar

2 teaspoons o Nigella Seeds4 Cardamon Pods - open and use just the seeds1 teaspoon o Mixed Spice

Put apples, sugar and 2 cups o water in a heavy stainlesssteel pan over a medium heat.

Heat and stir until sugar is dissolved.Add all the other ingredients and bring to boil, turn onlow and simmer, uncovered or 30 minutes or until thick.

You can remove it at the 20 minute stage and blend themix i you would like it a bit smoother.I you wish to do this keep a quarter o the Lycium Ber-ries aside or add more berries aer you have blended themix.I usually add more aer blending, as this adds colour and



a burst o flavor upon eating.

Return to a low heat or about 5 or 10 minutes aerblending to heat the newly added berries through.Remove rom stove and let stand or 30 minutes beorebottling.

Serve with Meats (hot or cold)Chicken and Fish.

Use as a salsa with chips or biscuits.Sandwiches or resh crusty bread.Makes a resh salad sing!Tis quantity makes approximately 3 x 500g jars andkeeps or about two months in thererigerator i you sterilize your jars properly and can

stop yoursel rom eating it!Hope you enjoy.



Written and Published by

Mark & Pauline BeaumontBEAUTANICALS AUSTRALIA

The Little Goji Book

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