NPS Photo

Wolfberry flowers

All Sonoran desert species have fruit that are edible as is, dried, or cooked. Boil and mash the berries and drain the liquid as a beverage, or grind them and mix with a little clay before eating.

The berries contain all 8 essential amino acids, niacin, several B vitamins, calcium, as much vitamin C as oranges, as much protein as bee pollen (10 – 35%, depending on source), and as much beta carotene as carrots.

Various parts of the plant can be used to treat allergies, external pain and inflammation, nausea, and intestinal spasms.