Goji Berry (Lycium chinense)
Photo: Pixabay
- Circulatory
- 4 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to about 13 ft (4 m), bearing bright green leaves and vivid scarlet berries. A key tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine, goji berries are believed to support longevity, with references stretching back to the 1st century ce. Both the berries (rich in vitamins, polysaccharides, and carotenoids) and the root have diverse medicinal applications.
Traditional uses & properties
Immune-Modulating & Anti-Aging: Helps maintain immune health, protect liver function, and slow degenerative changes in older adults. Rich in Zeaxanthin: Supports eye health and may help prevent macular degeneration. Blood Tonic & Circulatory Aid: In TCM, used to lower blood pressure, treat dizziness and tinnitus, and improve overall vitality. Neuroprotective: Early research suggests it may help safeguard the brain from certain degenerative processes.
Traditional preparations
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person.
Berries can be eaten raw or dried, or used in cooking, e.g. soups. Alternatively make a decoction with berries and take 1/2 cup (100 ml) daily. Chop dried berries and simmer.
Safety & precautions
Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient data. Blood-Thinning Medications: Avoid concurrent use with warfarin. General Use: Typically safe in moderate amounts as a daily tonic.
Drug & food interactions
Interaction data is not available for this herb - talk to a pharmacist before combining it with any medication. A blank entry here means we have not documented interactions, not that none exist.
Habitat
Native to China and Tibet, goji berry is cultivated widely across central and northern China. Propagation typically occurs via seed in autumn. The root can be harvested throughout the year (often in spring), and the berries in late summer or early autumn.
Traditionally used for
- High Blood Pressure11 herbs · 2 free
- Aging3 herbs · 2 free
- Tinnitus3 herbs · 2 free
- Vertigo4 herbs · 2 free
Each condition shows its first 2 remedies free. Premium opens the full remedy list for every condition - or come back for the free Condition of the Day.
Frequently asked questions
What is Goji Berry (Lycium chinense) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Goji Berry (Lycium chinense) as follows: Immune-Modulating & Anti-Aging: Helps maintain immune health, protect liver function, and slow degenerative changes in older adults. Rich in Zeaxanthin: Supports eye health and may help prevent macular degeneration. Blood Tonic & Circulatory Aid: In TCM, used to lower blood pressure, treat dizziness and tinnitus, and improve overall vitality. Neuroprotective: Early research suggests it may help safeguard the brain from certain degenerative processes.
How is Goji Berry (Lycium chinense) prepared?
Traditional texts describe the preparations below, and where those texts give specific amounts, the amounts are quoted here as part of that record. This is a record of historical practice, not a dosage recommendation - the figures are what the sources say, not what HerbMate tells you to take. Amounts, potency, and safe use vary enormously by preparation, plant part, and person. High Blood Pressure: Berries can be eaten raw or dried, or used in cooking, e.g. soups. Alternatively make a decoction with berries and take 1/2 cup (100 ml) daily. Chop dried berries and simmer.
What safety cautions apply to Goji Berry (Lycium chinense)?
Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient data. Blood-Thinning Medications: Avoid concurrent use with warfarin. General Use: Typically safe in moderate amounts as a daily tonic.
Related herbs
Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is a distinctive, long-lived deciduous tree that can grow up to about 100 ft (30 m). It has fan-shaped leaves with radiating veins, often turning bright yellow in autumn. Ginkgo is widely revered for its benefits to circulation, especially in the brain, where it can help improve memory, concentration, and support cognitive function.
Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)Ju hua (Chrysanthemum x morifolium), commonly called the florists’ chrysanthemum, is a perennial reaching about 5 ft (1.5 m), producing clusters of white or yellow daisy-like flowers. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it’s a well-known remedy for eye problems, infections, and high blood pressure.
Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is a tall herbaceous perennial, growing up to about 8 ft (2.5 m) with creamy-white flower spikes. Its thick, knobby root has a bitter, acrid taste and a distinctive odor. Traditionally, the root has been valued as a Native American remedy for women’s health issues, especially painful periods, menopausal problems (such as hot flashes), and uterine discomfort. It also has a history of use for rheumatic complaints, including rheumatoid arthritis, nerve conditions like tinnitus, and even venomous bites or stings. Modern research suggests black cohosh can help alleviate menopausal symptoms and may influence estrogenic activity within the body, although it does not contain estrogen itself.
Chinese Peony / White Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)White peony is an upright perennial growing to 6.5 feet with large white flowers and divided, dark green leaves. Its history of medicinal use in China stretches back at least 1,500 years, most notably as one of the herbs in 'Four Things Soup,' a renowned female tonic. Traditionally, it is believed that women who take the herb regularly become as radiant as the flower itself. The plant is cultivated throughout northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, propagated from seed in spring or from root cuttings in winter. The root of 4- or 5-year-old plants is harvested in spring or autumn and valued as a hormonal tonic.
Codonopsis (Codonopsis pilosula)Codonopsis is a small twining perennial growing to 5 feet with oval leaves and pendulous green and purple bell-shaped flowers marked with purple in summer. Native to northeastern China and growing throughout the region - especially in the Shanxi and Szechuan provinces - it is propagated from seed in spring or autumn, and the root is harvested in autumn once the aerial parts have died down. In Chinese herbal medicine, codonopsis holds a central place as a gentle tonic that increases energy levels, improves physical and mental well-being, and helps the body adapt to stress.
Fo Ti (Polygonum multiflorum)Fo ti (Polygonum multiflorum), also known as he shou wu, is a perennial vine prized in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a major longevity and rejuvenating tonic. Its root is revered for balancing qi (vital energy), tonifying the liver and kidneys, and potentially reversing signs of premature aging, including gray hair.
Garlic (Allium sativum)Garlic (Allium sativum) is a bulbous perennial in the onion family, recognized for its sharp flavor and characteristic odor. Highly valued for both culinary and medicinal purposes, crushed fresh garlic contains allicin, which has potent antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Regular garlic intake supports immunity, respiratory health, and circulatory function.
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) is a deciduous, thorny tree reaching up to about 26 ft (8 m), adorned with small lobed leaves, clusters of white blossoms, and bright red berries. Renowned as a cardiac tonic, hawthorn is often called “food for the heart,” enhancing the heart’s strength, improving blood flow to heart muscle, and helping normalize blood pressure. It also reduces stress and assists digestion when used regularly.