Gou Qi Zi - 枸杞子 - Fructus Lycii - Goji Berries / Wolfberries / Boxthorn Berries

Properties: Sweet, neutral

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver and Kidney
Extraordinary Vessels: Chong, Du

Traditional Actions/Indications:

Nourishes and tonifies Liver and Kidney Blood and Yin
Blood and Yin Deficiency with sore back and legs, low-grade abdominal pain, impotence, nocturnal emissions, wasting and thirsting disorder and consumption
Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Added to baths during spring to promote skin health and delay aging
Benefits Jing and brightens the eyes
Liver and Kidney Deficiency where Jing and Blood cannot nourish eyes with dizziness, blurred vision and diminished visual acuity
Nourishes Yin and moistens the Lungs
Consumptive cough and wasting and thirsting disorder

Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.

Cautions: In vitro testing suggests that unidentified wolfberry phytochemicals in goji tea may inhibit metabolism of other medications, such as those processed by the cytochrome P450 liver enzymes. Such drugs include warfarin, or drugs for diabetes or hypertension. However, no in vivo statistics support this.

Interactions:

Warfarin: Increases anticoagulant effect.
Should be stopped before surgery due to anticoagulant effect (University of Texas at El Paso, accessed 2021)).

Notable Constituents: Taken from Potterat, 2010.

β-Sitosterol
Phytosterol with potential anti-carcinogenic and anti-atherogenic properties.
Polysaccharides
Various sugars that make up to 23% of the dried weight
Zeaxanthin
Constitutes 83% of the total carotinoid content of the seeds, it is one of the two carotenoids (with lutein) that accumulate in the eye lens and macular region of the retina with concentrations in the macula greater than those found in plasma and other tissues. Generous intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin, particularly from certain xanthophyll-rich foods like spinach, broccoli and eggs, are associated with a significant reduction in the risk for cataract (up to 20%) and for age-related macular degeneration (up to 40%).
Zeaxanthin dipalmitate
A xanthophyll that constitutes 56% of the total carotinoid constituent of the fruit.
Ascorbic acid
At 42mg/100g it is comparable to the Vitamin C content of fresh lemon fruits.
Rutin
A flavinoid with antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and anticarcinogenic properties. It has been used therapeutically to decrease capillary fragility but has low bioavailability due to poor absorption, high metabolism, and rapid excretion.

Appears in 46 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)

Ba Ji Shu Di Jiu (Morinda and Cooked Rehmannia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Bai Zi Yang Xin Wan (Arborvitae Seed Pill to Nourish the Heart)
From: Compilation of Materials of Benevolence for the Body (1549)

Bu Gu Wan (Tonify the Bone Pill)
From: Guang An Men Hospital (1990) by Guang An Men Hospital

Bu Shen Huo Xue Tang (Tonify the Kidney and Invigorate Blood Decocotion)
From: The Great Compendium of Traumatology by Zhao Lian (1891)

Bu Yi Qi Guan Jiu (Supplement and Boost Lycium and Cinnamon Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Da Bu Yuan Jian (Great Tonify the Primal Decoction)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Da Zao Wan (Great Creation Pill)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Er Dong Er Di Jiu (Two Winters Two Earths Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Fu Ling Ju Hua Jiu (Poria and Chrysanthemum Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Gan Niu Shi Chen Liao Yang Cao Yao Fang (Liver Ox Time Recuperative Herbal Prescription)
From: Treatise on Armament Technology by Mao Yuanyi (1621)

Gou Qi Sheng Di Jiu (Lycium and Rehmannia Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Gou Qi Zi Jiu (Goji Berry Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao (Tortoise Shell and Deer Antler Two Immortal Syrup)
From: Concise Medicine (1587)

Huan Shao Dan (Rejuvenation Special Pill)
From: Hong's Collection of Experimental Formulas (1170)

Huang Qi Shi Hu Jiu (Astragalus and Dendrobium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Ju Qi Jiu (Chrysanthemum and Goji Berry Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Ju Qi Tiao Yuan Jiu (Chrysanthemum and Lycium Regulate the Primal Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Kang Zhuang Jiu (Robust Health Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Nei Zhang Wan (Cataract Pill)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)

Niu Xi Jia Pi Jiu (Achyranthes and Acanthopanax Wine (or literally "Ox Knee with Bark Wine"))
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Nuan Gan Jian (Warm the Liver Decoction)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan (Seven Treasure Special Pill for Beautiful Whiskers)
From: Comprehensive Outline of the Materia Medica (1590)

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Goji Berry, Chysanthemum and Rehmannia Pill)
From: Craft of Medicines and Patterns for Children by Qian Yi (1119)

Que Lao Jiu (Step Back from Old Age Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

San Jiao Zhu Shi Chen Liao Yang Cao Yao Fang (Triple Heater Pig Time Recuperative Herbal Prescription)
From: Treatise on Armament Technology by Mao Yuanyi (1621)

Shen Qi Jiu (Ginseng and Lycium Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Shi Hu Ye Guang Wan (Dendrobium Pill for Night Vision)
From: Experiental Formulas from the Auspicious Balmboo Hall (1326)

Sun Shang Yao Jiu (Detriment and Damage Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Wu Xu Jiu (Black Beard Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan (Five Seed Pills to Honour the Ancestors)
From: Mysterious Exposition (733)

Xi Chun Jiu (Sunny Spring Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Yan Shou Jiu (Extend Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Yang Yin Yi Qi Tang (Nourish Yin and Augment the Qi Decoction)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)

Yi Guan Jian (Linking Decoction)
From: Continuation of Famous Physicians' Cases Organised by Categories (1770)

Yi Shen Ming Mu Tang (Augment the Kidneys and Brighten the Eyes Decoction)
From: Journal of Ethnopharmacology 324, 117786 by Xiao-min Liu, Hui Shi & Wei Li (2024)

Yi Shou Jiu (Boosting Longevity Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

You Gui Wan (Restore the Right [Kidney] Pill)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

You Gui Yin (Restore the Right [Kidney] Drink)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Zan Yu Dan (Special Pill to Aid Fertility)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Zhou Gong Bai Sui Jiu (Master Zhou's Hundred Years Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Zhu Jing Wan (Preserve the Vision Pill)
From: Essential Subtleties on the Silver Sea by Unknown, attributed to Sun Si Miao (Maybe composed in the Song - Ming Dynasty, published ~1579)

Zhu Jing Wan Jia Jian Fang (Formula Modified from Preserve Vistas Pill)
From: Methodology for Using the Six Warps in Ophthalmology (1979) by Chen Da-Fu

Zhu Yang Jiu (Invigorate Yang Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Zong Zi Yao Jiu (Boosting Progeny Medicinal Wine)
From: Chinese Medicinal Wines and Elixirs (2008) by Various

Zuo Gui Wan (Restore the Left [Kidney] Pill)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Zuo Gui Yin (Restore the Left (Kidney) Drink)
From: Collected Treatises of Jing-Yue by Zhang Jie Bin / Zhang Jing Yue (1624)

Research Links & References: (click to display)

Individual Herbs Notebook

枸 杞 子  Gou Qi Zi

Pharmaceutical: Fructus Lycii
Taxonomy: Lycium barbarum seu chinense

Other names: Goji Berries / Wolfberries / Boxthorn Berries

Category: Herbs that Tonify Blood

Research Links:

Reference Notes: