Gou Qi Zi (Goji berries) in Chinese Medicine

English: Goji berries

Chinese: 枸杞子

Parts used: Dried ripe fruit

TCM category: Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency

TCM nature: Neutral

TCM taste(s): Sweet

Organ affinity: Kidney Liver

Scientific name: Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinense

Other names: Chinese wolfberry, Lycii berry

Use of Gou Qi Zi (goji berries) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Pick the fruit when it is ripe, remove the stem and dry in the shade until wrinkles appear.

Dosage: 2 to 4 fruits

Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Gou Qi Zi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Knee pain Tinnitus Diabetes Anemia Impaired vision

Contraindications*: Should not be used by those with patterns of Heat and Excess, nor should it be used when there is Spleen Deficiency with Dampness or loose stools. Unidentified Goji berry phytochemicals 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.

Common TCM formulas in which Gou Qi Zi is used*

You Gui Wan

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 10 herbs

Formula key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.

Conditions targeted*: Nephrotic syndromeOsteoporosis and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in You Gui Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

Read more about You Gui Wan

Zuo Gui Wan

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Formula key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.

Conditions targeted*: Chronic bronchitisChronic nephritis and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Zuo Gui Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Zuo Gui Wan, Gou Qi Zi nourishes the Liver Blood. Together with Shan Zhu Yu, they work synergistically with the chief herb Shu Di huang

Read more about Zuo Gui Wan

Zuo Gui Yin

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Formula key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Tonifies the Kidneys.

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Zuo Gui Yin. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Zuo Gui Yin, Gou Qi Zi nourishes the Liver Blood. Together with Shan Zhu Yu, they work synergistically with the chief herb Shu Di huang

Read more about Zuo Gui Yin

Nuan Gan Jian

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Formula key actions: Warms the Liver and Kidneys. Promotes the movement of Qi. Alleviates pain.

Conditions targeted*: VaricoceleHydrocele and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Nuan Gan Jian. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Nuan Gan Jian, Gou Qi Zi nourishes Blood, tonifies the Liver and augment the Kidneys.

Read more about Nuan Gan Jian

Zan Yu Dan

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 14 herbs

Formula key actions: Warms and tonifies the Kidneys.

Conditions targeted*: Erectile dysfunctionInfertility in male and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Zan Yu Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Zan Yu Dan, Gou Qi Zi is combined with the key ingredients to tonify the Yin and replenish the Essence.

Read more about Zan Yu Dan

Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang

Source date: 1549 AD

Number of ingredients: 9 herbs

Formula key actions: Reinforces and strengthens Heart Qi. Calms the Mind. Nourishes and moistens the Heart Blood. Tonifies the Kidney Yin.

Conditions targeted*: DisorientationSevere palpitations and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang, Gou Qi Zi tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. 

Read more about Bai Zi Yang Xin Tang

Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan

Source date: 1590 AD

Number of ingredients: 9 herbs

Formula key actions: Enriches the Kidney Yin. Nourishes the Liver Blood.

Conditions targeted*: AlopeciaPremature graying of the hair and others

Gou Qi Zi is a deputy ingredient in Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.

In Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan, Gou Qi Zi nourishes the Liver and Kidneys. Together with the key herb, they supplement and stabilize the Essence and thereby help stop nocturnal and spontaneous emissions.

Read more about Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan

Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

Source date: 1642 AD

Number of ingredients: 12 herbs

Formula key actions: Nourishes the Liver. Enriches the Kidneys. Improves the vision.

Gou Qi Zi is an assistant ingredient in Ming Mu Di Huang Wan. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.

In Ming Mu Di Huang Wan, Gou Qi Zi tonifies the Liver and Kidneys' Yin and Blood so as to brighten the eyes. It also moistens the Lung and stop coughing. 

Read more about Ming Mu Di Huang Wan

Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Source date: 1350 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Formula key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.

Conditions targeted*: Diabetes mellitusDiabetes insipidus and others

Read more about Qi Ju Di Huang Wan

Da Bu Yuan Jian

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Formula key actions: Tonifies Yin and Blood. Nourishes Qi and Yang.

Conditions targeted*: Uterine prolapse and others

In Da Bu Yuan Jian, Gou Qi Zi nourishes Yin, Blood and Essence and strengthen Liver and Kidneys. Here it works synergistically with the chief herb Prepared rehmannia

Read more about Da Bu Yuan Jian

Da Ying Jian

Source date: 1624 AD

Number of ingredients: 7 herbs

Formula key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Expels Cold.

In Da Ying Jian, Gou Qi Zi nourishes Blood

Read more about Da Ying Jian

Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan

Source date: 1550 AD

Number of ingredients: 5 herbs

Formula key actions: Tonifies Kidney Yang. Strengthens the Essence.

Conditions targeted*: ImpotenceSexual dysfunction and others

In Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan, Gou Qi Zi tonifies the Kidneys and the Essence.

Read more about Wu Zi Yan Zong Wan

Yi Guan Jian

Source date: 1770

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Formula key actions: Enriches the Yin. Spreads the Liver Qi .

Conditions targeted*: Chronic active hepatitisCirrhosis and others

Read more about Yi Guan Jian

Key TCM concepts behind Gou Qi Zi's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Gou Qi Zi belongs to the 'Tonic herbs for Yin Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Yin tonics have a heavy, moist nature. They either nourish the Kidneys and Liver or moisten the Lungs and Stomach. Extreme Yin Deficiency often translates into a 'burn-out', unfortunately more and more common among people today. It is worth mentioning that another great remedy against Yin Deficiency is a lot of rest and sleep; no herb will ever be able to replace this!

Furthermore Gou Qi Zi is Neutral in nature. This means that Gou Qi Zi typically doesn't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of Gou Qi Zi means that you don't have to worry about that!

Gou Qi Zi also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like Gou Qi Zi tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Gou Qi Zi is thought to target the Kidney and the Liver. According to TCM, the Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.

Research on Gou Qi Zi

Goji berries have antioxidant effects in humans1 and anti-inflammatory effects in mice2

Goji berries increase metabolic rates and reduce waist circumference3

Goji berries has a high concentration of Vitamin A, C, and E, and carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. However more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of Goji berries for vision enhancement or prevention of vision disorders4

Sources:

1. Amaqase H, Sun B, Borek C. (2009) Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults. Nutr Res. 29(1):19-25

2. Philippe D, Brahmbhatt V, Foata F, Saudan Y, Serrant P, Blum S, Benyacoub J, Vidal K. (2012) Anti-inflammatory effects of Lacto-Wolfberry in a mouse model of experimental colitis. World J Gastroenterol 18(38):5351-9

3. Amaqase H, Nance D. (2011) Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: a pilot study. J Am Coll Nutr 30(5):304-9

4. Ulbricht C, Bryan J, Costa D, Culwell S, Gises N, Isaac R, Nummy K, Pham T, Rapp C, Ruise E, Weissner W, Windsor R, Woods J, Zhou S. (2015) An Research Findings-based systematic review of goji (Lycium spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Diet Suppl. 12(2):184-240

Use of Gou Qi Zi as food

Gou Qi Zi is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Goji Berry Chickpea Salad or Goji berries granola bars.