These lovely red berries are also called wolfberries or ‘Gou Qi Zi’.

Botanical name:  Lycium barbarum

Goji berries, with their sweet taste, enter and work in a moistening and strengthening way upon the channels of the kidney and liver.  The energetic temperature of these berries is neutral, which means that they can easily be used with both warm and cold cases.

According to Eastern medicine, goji berries have 3 traditional functions.  These are:

1. Tonifies and strengthens the blood, yin and essence of both the liver and kidney channels (or meridians)

Here are some examples of what Goji berries has been traditionally used for:

• sore back & legs
• abdominal pain
• reduced sexual strength
• dryness along the kidney and liver channels
• infertility & impotence
• high blood pressure
• grey hair

2. Benefits the essence and brightens the eyes

Here are some examples of symptoms treated by Goji berries according to this function:

• blurred vision
• dry eyes
• diminished visual acuity
• dizziness

3. Moistens and strengthens the yin fluids of the lung

According to this function, Goji berries can be used for the following symptoms of lung dryness:

• dry or consumptive cough
• blood-streaked sputum
• thirst
• chronic, dry throat

DOSAGE: Daily dosage of Goji berries is typically 6-12 grams.

CAUTION: Be cautious with the use of goji berries in the case of dampness in the spleen (loose stools, poor appetite, etc.) as this herb is already moistening.

Caution should also be used in the case of dampness in the lungs (wet phlegm, nasal mucus, etc.).

Also, ask your acupuncturist about the use of goji berries in pregnancy.

RESEARCH: There is a lot of research currently being done on the effects of Goji berries.  Studies show that Goji berries have an overall positive effect on the functions of the body, including immunity, blood pressure, sleep, mood, mental clarity and energy.  Have a look at these studies:

Studies show a positive effect on health in general:

Goji Berries: Immune Function & General Well-being

Studies show that Goji berries can lower the blood pressure:

Goji Berries: effect on hypertension

Studies show that Goji berries can increase the immune system. Here’s research indicating that Goji berries can reduce the growth of cancer cells:

Goji Berries: effect on gastric cancer

Goji Berries: effect on colon cancer

Goji Berries: effect on breast cancer (by favorably altering estradiol metabolism)

Goji Berries: effect on prostate cancer

Goji Berries: effect on tumors