Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum)
Medicinal Profile of
Goji Berries (Lycium barbarum)
Goji berries, also called wolfberries, are bright red-orange fruits used for centuries in Chinese and Tibetan medicine as tonics for vitality, longevity, and eye health. They are best suited for states of atrophy and degenerative dryness, where tissues need rebuilding and moisture; hyporesponsive immune function, where resilience is weak; and hypometabolic fatigue, where energy and vitality are low. In modern contexts, they shine for individuals who feel depleted, tired, or nutritionally undernourished, offering both nutritive and restorative support.
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👉 Tastes describe the initial impression a food or herb leaves on the tongue, and they reveal its deeper actions in the body, shaping digestion, circulation, and tissue response.
Sweet – Builds, nourishes, and replenishes tissues.
Slightly Sour – Stimulates circulation and gently awakens digestion.
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👉Qualities describe the felt nature of a substance or practice, and how it acts in the body beyond nutrients or chemistry.
Moistening – Restores juiciness and suppleness to dry, atrophic tissues.
Building – Provides nutrient density to replenish weakness and loss.
Light – Easily digested and assimilated.
Stabilizing – Calms overstimulation while fortifying reserves.
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Goji berries are rich in vitamin C, carotenoids (zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein), polysaccharides, and amino acids. They contain trace minerals (zinc, selenium, iron, calcium) and small amounts of essential fatty acids. Their unique polysaccharides are studied for immune-modulating and antioxidant effects.
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Eaten dried as a snack or added to trail mixes.
Steeped in teas, soups, or broths for tonic effect.
Powdered for smoothies, blends, or capsules.
Tinctures or extracts (traditional Chinese medicine)
Indicated Patterns by Affinity
👉 Indicated patterns describe the functional state of the body and its organs and/or tissues, showing whether they are dry, atrophied, too damp (pressure), stagnant, lax, inflammed, sluggish, tense or underactive. The Primary Indicated Pattern is the main state where this remedy works best. Secondary Indicated Pattern(s) are the patterns that often develop over time when the primary state is left unaddressed. The primary pattern must be supported first, as this allows the secondary patterns to naturally ease or resolve.
👉Affinities are the organ systems and tissues where the remedy acts most strongly.
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Hyporesponsive / Depressed (Primary Indicated Pattern) – When immune defenses are weak, leading to frequent illness or slow recovery. Examples: recurrent colds, weak vitality, convalescence.
Building and stabilizing qualities, combined with polysaccharides, strengthen immune resilience.
Degenerative / Atrophy (Secondary Indicated Pattern) – When immune tissues weaken with age or depletion. Examples: lowered vitality in elderly, degenerative states.
Nutrient-dense antioxidants restore immune capacity and protect cells.
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Atrophy / Degenerative Dryness (Primary Indicated Pattern) – Eye strain, declining vision, or neurodegeneration. Examples: macular degeneration, fatigue-induced eye weakness.
Carotenoids (zeaxanthin, lutein) concentrate in the eyes, moistening and protecting against oxidative stress.
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Hypometabolic / Depressed Function (Primary Indicated Pattern) – Low energy, poor endurance, metabolic depletion. Examples: adrenal fatigue, low vitality.
Sweet, building qualities restore qi/energy, while polysaccharides support balanced metabolism.
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Atrophy / Degenerative (Primary Indicated Pattern) – Weak reproductive vitality or decline in function. Examples: infertility, reduced libido, menopausal depletion.
Building + moistening qualities replenish reproductive essence (jing) and support hormonal balance.
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👉 Medicinal actions describe the specific ways a food influences organ systems and body functions.
Immune System
Immunomodulant – Balances overactive and underactive immune function.
Antioxidant – Neutralizes free radicals and protects immune tissues.
Anti-inflammatory – Reduces inflammatory cascades.
Anti-aging (cell-protective) – Preserves cellular resilience, often framed in TCM as longevity support.
Ocular System
Vision Supportive – Protects retina and macula, supports night vision.
Ophthalmic Tonic – Nourishes eyes under strain, aging, or oxidative stress.
Nervous System
Neuroprotective – Prevents oxidative and degenerative changes in neurons.
Anxiolytic (mild) – Calms stress response and supports emotional resilience.
Adaptogenic (mild nutritive) – Enhances stress resistance and vitality.
Cognitive Support – Supports memory and learning under oxidative stress.
Endocrine & Metabolic System
Blood Sugar Regulator – Improves insulin sensitivity and balances glucose metabolism.
Lipid Modulator – Helps regulate cholesterol and triglycerides.
Energy Restorative – Improves stamina, endurance, and hypometabolic fatigue.
Reproductive System
Fertility Supportive – Nourishes reproductive essence (jing) and improves gamete quality.
Aphrodisiac (mild) – Enhances libido and sexual vitality.
Hormonal Tonic – Balances endocrine signaling related to aging and reproduction.
Cardiovascular System
Circulatory Protector – Preserves vessel integrity under oxidative stress.
Cardioprotective – Supports healthy heart function and blood pressure balance.
Hepatic System
Hepatoprotective – Protects liver cells from toxins and oxidative stress.
Detox Supportive – Assists in liver function and clearance of wastes.
Musculoskeletal System
Nutritive Tonic – Provides minerals and amino acids to strengthen connective tissues.
Anti-fatigue – Reduces exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage.
Integumentary System/Skin
Dermatologic Restorative – Supports skin elasticity and hydration.
Photoprotective (supportive) – Protects skin from UV-induced oxidative stress.
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👉 Constituents are the natural compounds in a food that give rise to its actions in the body.
Polysaccharides (LBP complex) – Unique to goji, studied for immune-modulating and antioxidant effects.
Carotenoids – Zeaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein (protect eyes and vision).
Vitamins – High vitamin C, vitamin A precursors.
Amino acids & trace minerals – Contribute to nutritive and restorative effects.
Phenolics & flavonoids – Additional antioxidant support.
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1st to 2nd Degree – Safe and nutritive as a daily food; stronger tonic actions with extracts or concentrated doses.
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May potentiate anticoagulant medications (warfarin).
Monitor if combined with hypoglycemic medications.
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Generally safe as food.
Excess intake may cause mild digestive upset in sensitive individuals.
Use caution in those with known allergies to nightshade family plants.
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Traditional Sources
Traditional Chinese Medicine – goji (gou qi zi) as yin-nourishing, vision-supportive, and longevity tonic.
Tibetan medicine – tonic for eyes, liver, and reproductive system.
Folk use as daily “superfruit” for vitality and strength.
Modern Sources
Amagase, H., et al. (2008). “Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) juice improves subjective feelings of well-being.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Potterat, O. (2010). “Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity.” Planta Medica.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Goji Berry.
Peer-reviewed studies on LBP polysaccharides and antioxidant effects.
