IshTube Berries of Wisdom: Foraging for African Boxthorn Fruits

My mother forbade me to eat the African Boxthorn berries my grandfather would stew up as a prune-like laxative, but here's me giving a tutorial on ripe African Boxthorn--Lycium ferocissimum--berries as wild food. A short safari into the nearby countryside to examine the African Boxthorn shrubs and their berries. These berries are edible and free, but very similar to the $uper-expen$ive Goji berries (aka Lycii berries) popular nowadays. Here is the link to Wikipedia on Goji Berries--Lycium barbarum--and safety issues:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry#Safety_issues

Read about African Boxthorn--Lycium ferocissimum--here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycium_ferocissimum

I am observing the most abundant Lycium ferocissimum--African Boxthorn--berries growing wild in the New South Wales countryside. All plump and juicy. For descriptions and technical pictures, of these plants, refer to "Wild Food in Australia" by AB and JW Cribb. Another very good bush tucker book is "Wild Herbs of Australia and New Zealand" by Tim Low. Consult the weed expert at your local department of agriculture for more information, including detailed botanical pictures and distribution maps. These people usually put up very good websites, too, with a wealth of information. Try this link, for example:

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LYFE4

Whether removing this "weed", or harvesting its berries, it is prudent to wear safety glasses and gloves and arm protection when dealing with these bushes, as the thorns are quite ferocious! It would be very easy to be poked in the eye by one of its most vicious thorns. Also have a look at the earlier videos I made on African Boxthorn berries, where I discuss edibility and toxicity issues, etc. Always seek expert guidance when foraging for wild foods. Dont take my word for a plants edibility but, instead, check out several reliable sources of information (like books and websites). Also ask botanical and wild food experts for their guidance.

As promised, here is the link to Green Deane's YouTube video on Lycium species growing in the USA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVR-eGqquXE&feature=channel_video_title

Here is the link to Green Deane's page on Lycium berries:

http://www.eattheweeds.com/www.EatTheWeeds.Com/EatTheWeeds.com/Entries/1948/6...

Here is the link to Green Deane's homepage:

http://www.eattheweeds.com/www.EatTheWeeds.Com/EatTheWeeds.com/EatTheWeeds.co...

Disclaimer: Always consult botanical experts, wild food experts and medical experts before ingesting any wild foods.
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[zuditaka]

@HubSwitch Of course you can steam, or stew the berries in a traditional way! I don't have a proper kitchen, but am just camping for the time being--but have access to a microwave, which makes life a little easier! All is energy, in the final event. The whole Universe is energy. (I sound philosophical!) All energy must or can be harnessed with wisdom. I am not a Luddite. Haha! But agree with you about radiation concerns! I know laptops are always radiating and overheating ones testicles!The pain

[HubSwitch]

Hi Georges, nice video.

Though the use of the microwave I thought was quite odd, as I thought you may have avoided using one of those devices.

I am not too sure about microwave ovens myself; in essence they are only very low frequency light machines (electromagnetic waves) of very high power.

There are many people that do not use microwaves due to the alleged damaging effects to the food when you cook them. I do not know how true that is. Could you steam the berries for the same effect?