- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- China (especially Ningxia)
- Other names
- Boksdoorn
Asia · Food · № 637
Lycium barbarum, L. chinense
Food · Asia
Goji (Chinese wolfberry)
Lycium barbarum, L. chinense
Traditionally attributed effects: sweet tonic that according to tradition strengthens the yang energy, strength and stamina and supports the hormone system.
Safety notes
Can increase the effect of warfarin. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Chinese food therapy: Caution with blood thinners.
- Chinese materia medica: Berry not with heat, excess or diarrhoea from spleen deficiency; root bark not with a weak stomach. Can increase the effect of blood thinners.
Preparation
Dried berries in soups, tea and stews.
Use in traditions
Ningxia is regarded as the origin of the best goji. Known for centuries as a tonic and as a sweet flavouring in Chinese herbal cooking.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
Known for its strongly strengthening and libido-enhancing reputation and its sweet taste; is said to support hormone production in men and women and increase strength and stamina.
Caution: Caution with blood thinners.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, neutral (berry); sweet, cold (root bark)
- Meridians
- liver, kidney, lung
Attributed effects
The berry (gou qi zi) nourishes blood and yin of liver and kidney in blurred vision, poor night vision, dry cough, impotence, seminal emission and a weak back and knees. The root bark (di gu pi) cools heat from yin deficiency (night sweats, mild fever), cools the lungs in cough with yellow phlegm, stops bleeding from heat and is used externally for fungal infections and itching.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–18 g a day, usually in a decoction. In China 'red raisins', freely added to soup and rice porridge.
Combinations
- Berry with chrysanthemum for blurred vision and tinnitus
- Root bark with mulberry bark and apricot kernel for cough from lung heat
Caution: Berry not with heat, excess or diarrhoea from spleen deficiency; root bark not with a weak stomach. Can increase the effect of blood thinners.