Goji berries generally refer to the dried, ripe fruits of Lycium barbarum L., a plant in the Solanaceae family. They are known to nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence, and improve eyesight. They are primarily used to treat deficiency-syndrome with essence depletion, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence and nocturnal emission, internal heat with excessive thirst, blood deficiency with pallor and weakness, and blurred vision.
Goji Berry
Goji berries generally refer to the dried, ripe fruits of Lycium barbarum L., a plant in the Solanaceae family. They are known to nourish the liver and kidneys, replenish essence, and improve eyesight. They are primarily used to treat deficiency-syndrome with essence depletion, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence and nocturnal emission, internal heat with excessive thirst, blood deficiency with pallor and weakness, and blurred vision.
Chinese Name : 枸杞
Latin Name : Lycii Fructus
Aliases : Gouqizi, Red Goji Berries, Sweet Beet Seeds, Western Goji Berries, Dog’s Milk, Red and Green Peppers,Goji Hoof, Goji Berry, Diguzi, Goji Eggplant, Red Earrings, Blood Goji, Goji Sprout, Goji Bean, Blood Goji, Jin Goji
Authentic Producing Area : Ningxia
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Sweet in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Liver and Kidney meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Nourishes the liver and kidneys; enriches essence and improves vision.
Indications
Used for deficiency-syndrome with essence depletion, soreness and pain in the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, impotence and nocturnal emission, internal heat with excessive thirst, blood deficiency with sallow complexion, and blurred vision.
Usage and Dosage
Internal use: Decocted as a soup, 5–15 g; or incorporated into pills, powders, ointments, or wine preparations.
Precautions
1. Use with caution in patients with spleen deficiency and loose stools. 2. Atropine can inhibit the cholinergic effects of Lycium fruit; therefore, they should not be used together.
Chemical Constituents
This product primarily contains goji polysaccharides, as well as alkaloids such as betaine and scopolamine.
Pharmacological Actions
This product possesses pharmacological effects including immune enhancement, anti-aging, sex hormone-like activity, protection against liver damage, blood glucose reduction, improvement of retinal lesions, regulation of blood lipids, and anti-fatigue effects.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Collected Annotations to the Classic of Materia Medica*: “Nourishes essence and vital energy; strengthens the Yin channels.”
2. *Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Substances*: “Nourishes essence; treats various deficiencies; improves complexion; whitens the skin; sharpens vision… promotes longevity.”
3. *Dietary Therapy Materia Medica*: “Strengthens tendons and resists aging; dispels wind; tonifies tendons and bones; benefits the body; and eliminates consumptive diseases.”
4. *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Nourishes the kidneys, moistens the lungs, and improves vision.”
5. *Comprehensive Discourse on Materia Medica*: “Moistens the lungs and generates body fluids; tonifies the kidneys and replenishes essence.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
This herb nourishes the yin of the liver and kidneys and serves as a mild tonic for kidney essence and liver blood. It is frequently used in formulas to treat conditions caused by deficiency of essence and blood, such as diminished vision, cataracts, dizziness, weakness in the lower back and knees, seminal emission and seminal leakage, deafness, loose teeth, premature graying of hair and beard, insomnia with frequent dreaming, as well as symptoms of liver and kidney yin deficiency, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and excessive thirst.It may be used alone or combined with other herbs that tonify the liver and kidneys, nourish essence, and replenish blood. For example, in the Goji Berry Paste recipe from *Shou Shi Bao Yuan*, this herb is used alone to prepare a paste for oral administration; in the Seven Treasures Beard-Beautifying Pill (*Ji Shan Tang Fang*), it is combined with Huai Niuxi, Tu Si Zi, He Shou Wu, and other herbs.Because it also improves vision, it is particularly often used for dry and sore eyes, as well as cataracts and blurred vision resulting from liver and kidney yin deficiency or deficiency of essence and blood. It is frequently combined with Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di Huang), Cornus officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu), Dioscorea opposita (Shan Yao), and Chrysanthemum morifolium (Ju Hua), as seen in the Goji-Chrysanthemum-Rehmannia Pill (from *Yi Ji*).
Related Compatibility
1. Goji Berries combined with Prepared Rehmannia Root: Goji Berries excel at nourishing kidney yin, tonifying the kidneys, and replenishing essence; Prepared Rehmannia Root excels at tonifying blood, nourishing yin, and replenishing essence and marrow.When combined, these two herbs enhance the effects of nourishing kidney yin and replenishing essence and marrow. This combination is suitable for conditions such as kidney yin deficiency, depletion of essence and blood, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, a haggard appearance, and impotence or nocturnal emissions.
2. Goji Berries Combined with Polygonum Multiflorum: Goji Berries are effective at tonifying the kidneys, replenishing essence, nourishing the liver, and improving vision;He Shou Wu excels at tonifying essence and blood, strengthening the kidneys, and darkening hair. When combined, these two herbs enhance the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, nourishing essence and blood, strengthening tendons and bones, and darkening the beard and hair. This combination is suitable for various symptoms of premature aging caused by deficiency of the liver and kidneys and depletion of essence and blood, such as blurred vision, dim sight, dizziness, premature graying of the beard and hair, and frequent nighttime urination.
3. Goji Berries Combined with Angelica Root: Goji berries both nourish the yin of the liver and kidneys and nourish the blood; Angelica root replenishes and harmonizes the blood. When combined, these two herbs have the effect of replenishing and nourishing the blood. This combination is suitable for conditions such as postpartum wind-deficiency and exhaustion, pain in the limbs, restlessness due to mental deficiency, and loss of appetite.
4. Goji Berries Combined with Chrysanthemum: Goji berries are sweet and neutral in nature, benefiting essence and improving vision; chrysanthemum clears and calms the liver to improve vision. When combined, these two herbs have a vision-improving effect and are suitable for blurred vision caused by various factors, such as liver and kidney yin deficiency or excessive liver yang.
Medicinal Identification
1. Goji Berries and Angelica Root: Both have the function of tonifying liver blood and can be used to treat blood deficiency with sallow complexion. However, Goji Berries are neutral in nature and also have the effects of tonifying the kidneys, nourishing essence, and improving vision; they can also treat various conditions caused by kidney essence deficiency;Angelica sinensis has a warm nature and primarily enters the Heart and Liver meridians; it also regulates menstruation, promotes blood circulation, moistens the intestines to relieve constipation, and alleviates pain. It can also treat palpitations and anxiety caused by deficiency of Heart blood, irregular menstruation due to blood deficiency and blood stasis, as well as constipation and pain resulting from deficiency of body fluids and blood.
2. Goji Berries and Chrysanthemum Flowers: Both have a sweet taste, enter the Liver Meridian, and help improve eyesight; they can treat blurred vision and dim eyesight caused by deficiency of the Liver and Kidney.However, chrysanthemum flowers have a bitter and pungent taste and a slightly cold nature; they primarily enter the Lung meridian. Their ability to nourish yin is relatively weak, and their primary functions are to disperse wind-heat, clear heat, and eliminate toxins, while also calming the liver and subduing yang. They are primarily used to treat wind-heat colds, fever and headache, boils and swellings caused by toxins, dizziness, and convulsions.Goji berries are sweet, neutral, and moist in nature; they also enter the Kidney meridian. They are a mild tonic for both yin and yang, with a relatively strong ability to nourish yin. They excel at tonifying the kidneys and nourishing essence, nourishing the liver and improving vision, and can also moisten the lungs and relieve coughs. They are particularly effective for treating lower back pain due to kidney deficiency, seminal emission and premature ejaculation, pallor and weakness due to blood deficiency, chronic cough due to yin deficiency, and night sweats and hot flashes.
3. Goji Berries and Prepared Rehmannia Root:Both are sweet in taste and enter the Liver and Kidney meridians. They share the ability to nourish the Liver and Kidney, replenish essence, and strengthen the marrow. Together, they treat all conditions of deficiency in essence and blood, including dizziness and vertigo, blurred vision, deafness and tinnitus, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, and premature graying of hair caused by Liver and Kidney deficiency, as well as sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, palpitations, insomnia, and irregular menstruation.However, goji berries have a neutral nature and a milder tonifying effect; they excel at improving vision, have a slight yang-supporting effect, and are less greasy in nature. They are therefore more commonly used to treat milder manifestations of the aforementioned conditions or in patients with weak spleen and stomach function;Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Dihuang) has a slightly warm nature and a moist texture; it possesses strong tonifying properties and excels at replenishing blood, making it a key herb for blood tonification. It has a relatively heavy, greasy nature and is often combined with Amomum villosum (Sha Ren) and Citrus reticulata (Chen Pi) to prevent it from causing greasiness that obstructs the stomach. It is suitable for treating more severe manifestations of the aforementioned conditions or for patients with strong spleen and stomach function.
Related Medicines
Wuzi Yanzong Pills, Qiju Dihuang Pills, Bunao Pills, Can’e Gongbu Tablets, and Gan Shen Zi.
Related Prescriptions
Qiju Dihuang Pills (*Compendium of Measles*), Yiguan Decoction (*Continuation of Famous Physicians’ Case Records*), Yougui Decoction (*Complete Works of Jingyue*), and Nuangan Decoction (*Complete Works of Jingyue*).
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with traditional Chinese medicine should first consult a licensed TCM hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate herbal formula.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest the fruits in summer or autumn when they turn red; dry them with hot air, remove the fruit stalks, or air-dry them until the skin wrinkles, then sun-dry and remove the fruit stalks.
Processing Methods
1. Goji Berries: Take the raw herbal material, remove impurities, and pick off any remaining fruit stalks and calyxes.
2. Roasted Goji Berries: Take the cleaned goji berries and roast them over low heat until scorch marks appear on the surface; remove and allow to cool.
3. Salted Goji Berries: Place table salt in a pan and heat over low heat until hot; then add the goji berries and stir-fry until they turn yellow and swell. Sift out the salt.
Storage Methods
Store in a dry container. Keep the stir-fried goji berries and salted goji berries tightly sealed in a cool, dry place, protected from heat, moisture, and insect infestation.
Crude Drug Identification
Identification
1. The powder of this product is yellow-orange or reddish-brown. On surface view, the epidermal cells of the exocarp appear subpolygonal or elongated polygonal; the vertical walls are straight or slightly wavy, and the outer annular walls bear parallel cuticular striations.The parenchyma cells of the mesocarp are polygonal in shape, with thin walls; the cell cavities contain orange-red or reddish-brown spherical granules. The stone cells of the seed coat appear irregularly polygonal when viewed from the surface; they have thick, undulating walls with distinct lamellar patterns.
2. Take 0.5 g of the sample, add 35 mL of water, heat to a boil for 15 minutes, allow to cool, and filter. Extract the filtrate with 15 mL of ethyl acetate by shaking, separate the ethyl acetate layer, and concentrate it to 1 mL to obtain the test solution. Separately, take 0.5 g of Lycium barbarum fruit reference material and prepare the reference solution using the same method.Perform the test according to the thin-layer chromatography method (General Chapter 0502). Pipette 5 μl of each of the two solutions and spot them separately onto the same silica gel G thin-layer plate. Develop with a mobile phase of ethyl acetate–chloroform–formic acid (3:2:1), remove the plate, allow it to air-dry, and examine it under ultraviolet light (365 nm).In the chromatogram of the test sample, fluorescent spots of the same color appear at positions corresponding to those in the reference herbal material chromatogram.
Properties of Crude Drugs
This product is spindle-shaped or oval, 6–20 mm long and 3–10 mm in diameter. The surface is red or dark red, with a small, protruding stigma scar at the apex and a white pedicel scar at the base. The pericarp is supple and wrinkled; the pulp is fleshy and soft.There are 20–50 seeds, which are reniform, flattened and curved upward, 1.5–1.9 mm long and 1–1.7 mm wide, with a pale yellow or brownish-yellow surface. It has a faint odor and a sweet taste.
Properties of Processed Slices
1. Goji Berries: See the “Characteristics of the Medicinal Material” section.
2. Roasted Goji Berries: Similar in appearance to Goji Berries, with scorched spots.
3. Salted Goji Berries: Similar in appearance to Goji Berries, with a dark red or soiled yellow surface, slightly swollen, and a slightly salty taste.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Ningxia Goji (Lycium chinense), a plant of the genus Lycium in the Solanaceae family.
Morphological Characteristics
A shrub or, when cultivated, a large shrub, 1–3 m tall. Several main stems, stout; twigs with longitudinal ridges, bearing short, leafless spines and long spines bearing leaves and flowers; fruit branches slender and elongated, usually drooping at the tips, with a pale grayish-yellow outer skin and glabrous. Leaves alternate or clustered in groups of several on short branches;petioles are short; leaf blades are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 2–8 cm long and 0.5–3 cm wide, with an acute apex, a cuneate or narrowly cuneate base extending down into the petiole, entire margins, dark green above, pale green below, and glabrous. Flowers are axillary, often solitary or clustered in groups of 2–6 on short branches;Pedicels slender; calyx campanulate, 4–5 mm long, deeply 2–3-lobed at the apex, lobes broadly ovate or ovate-triangular; corolla funnel-shaped, tube ca. 8 mm long, 5-lobed at the apex, lobes ovate, ca. 5 mm long, pink or pale purplish-red, with dark purple veins, the tube bearing a ring of soft hairs above the point where the stamens are attached;There are 5 stamens; the pistil is single, with an oblong, 2-chambered ovary; the style is linear, and the stigma is capitate. The berries are ovoid, elliptic, or broadly ovoid, 8–20 mm long and 5–10 mm in diameter, red or orange-red, with a fleshy pericarp. The seeds are numerous, nearly reniform but flattened, and brownish-yellow. Flowering occurs from May to October, and fruiting from June to November.
Distribution Area
It is distributed in North China, Northwest China, and other regions. It is also cultivated in other areas.
Growth Habits
Highly adaptable and cold-tolerant; survives winter at -25.6°C without frost damage. Prefers full sun. Not particular about soil type; tolerant of saline-alkali conditions, fertile soil, and drought, but sensitive to waterlogging. Best grown in fertile, well-drained, neutral or slightly acidic light loam; the salt content of saline-alkali soil must not exceed 0.2%. Not suitable for cultivation in strongly alkaline soils, clay loam, rice paddies, or marshy areas.
Propagation Methods
Propagation is by seed or cuttings.
Cultivation Techniques
1. Seed Propagation: Select high-quality varieties. After harvesting in summer, soak the seeds in warm water (30–60°C), rub them gently, rinse thoroughly, and air-dry for later use. Before sowing, mix the seeds evenly with moist sand (1:3) and place them at a room temperature of 20°C to promote germination. Sow once 30% of the seeds have sprouted or after soaking the seeds in clean water for one day and one night.Sowing can be done in spring, summer, or fall, with spring sowing being the primary method. For spring sowing, from late March to early April, sow in rows with a row spacing of 40 cm, at a depth of 1.5–3 cm, and cover with 1–3 cm of soil. After seedlings emerge, water as needed based on soil moisture conditions. When seedlings reach 1.5–3 cm in height, loosen the soil and remove weeds once; thereafter, repeat this process every 20–30 days.Thin the seedlings when they reach 6–9 cm in height, spacing them 12–15 cm apart, leaving 150,000–180,000 plants per hectare.Apply fertilizer three times in May, June, and July in conjunction with irrigation. To ensure healthy growth, promptly remove lateral buds growing 40 cm above ground level on young plants. When seedlings reach 60 cm in height, pinch the tips to accelerate the growth of the main stem and upper lateral branches. Transplant from the nursery when the roots reach a diameter of 0.7 cm.
2. Propagation by Cuttings:From high-quality mother plants, collect one-year-old, lignified branches with a diameter of 0.3 cm or greater. Cut them into 18–20 cm long cuttings, bundle them into small bundles, and stand them upright in a basin. Soak them in a 100 × 10⁻⁶ α-naphthaleneacetic acid solution for 2–3 hours, then plant the cuttings at a spacing of 6–10 cm, inserting them diagonally into furrows and firming the soil around them.
Pest and Disease Control
1. Diseases include goji berry black fruit disease, which damages flower buds, flowers, and young fruit. During the fruiting period, spray with a 1:1:100 Bordeaux mixture; immediately after rain, spray a 600-fold dilution of 50% Thiram wettable powder for better results.For root rot, water the roots with a 1,000–1,500-fold dilution of 50% Topsin-M or a 1,000–1,500-fold dilution of 50% Carbendazim.
2. Insect Pests: Goji berry fruit fly. For control, when overwintering adults emerge, broadcast 45 kg/ha of 50% cypermethrin powder on the ground in the goji orchard; remove and deeply bury infested fruits; and irrigate or till the soil in the fall and winter to kill overwintering pupae in the soil.For the goji berry cutworm, irrigate and loosen the soil in the spring to disrupt overwintering sites and eliminate the pest source. In mid-April, broadcast 5% carbaryl powder (1 kg mixed with 5–7 kg of fine soil) over the ground in the goji berry orchard to kill overwintering adults.For the goji berry fruit borer, spray a 90% diazinon solution diluted 800–1,000 times during early to mid-April when the first-generation larvae are causing damage. Other pests include goji aphids and goji gall mites.