Are Ashwagandha and Lycium Barbarum in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Ashwagandha for Lycium Barbarum?

They share the Solanaceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Ashwagandha vs Lycium Barbarum

Withania somnifera · Lycium barbarum

Ashwagandha

Withania somnifera

C Limited Evidence

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Withania
Primary use: medicinal

Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, is an evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae family that is native to the Middle East and North Africa, other African regions, southern Europe, Indian subcontinent, and across Southeast Asia. Several other species in the genus Withani…

Lycium Barbarum

Lycium barbarum

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Lycium
Primary use: medicinal

Lycium barbarum is a shrub native to China, with present-day range across Asia and southeast Europe. It is one of two species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae from which the goji berry or wolfberry is harvested, the other being Lycium chinense.

At a glance

· Both in Solanaceae, but different genera (Withania vs Lycium).
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Ashwagandha: C; Lycium Barbarum: T.