Wolfberry
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Wolfberry is a poisonous shrub with yellowish-white flowers and dark red paired berries found throughout Europe, Siberia, the Caucasus, and Turkestan. Its berries contain xylotein and can cause poisoning, especially in children.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
WOLFBERRY (Lonicera xylosteum L.), a shrub of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), with yellowish-white flowers and dark red berries joined in pairs. Found in forests throughout Europe, in Siberia, the Caucasus, and Turkestan. The fruits are poisonous, containing a saponin-like substance—xylotein. Poisoning occurs mainly in children. Symptoms: fatigue, drowsiness, redness of the face, accelerated breathing and pulse, sweating, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. A fatal outcome is rare. W. y. is also often used to refer to a number of other shrubs with juicy poisonous fruits: wolf's bast (Daphne Mezereum L.), privet (Ligustrum L.), buckthorn, etc.
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Cite this page
“Wolfberry.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/wolfberry/