Goji Berry, Gou Qi Zi, 枸杞子 , Frutus Lycii

Disclaimer    For educational purposes only.  Do not use as medical advice

AboutBotanyChinese MedicineCaution
Health Benefits
For: Cough • Wheezing • Morning sickness • Vomiting • Nausea • Uterine bleeding • Diarrhea
Attributes: Anticoagulant • Hypotensive • Antiplatelet • Stimulant • Analgesic • Anti-inflammatory • AntipyreticCholagogicAntiemetic • Antimutagenic
Products (online examples)

Dried Berries

Capsules

Juice

Capsules

Tea Mix

Tinctures

Powder

Wine

Research:
Constituents: 
Polysaccharides(amylose) • Taurine • Zeaxanthin • Carotene • Coumarin • Physalein • Ascorbic acid • Betaine • Thiamine • Riboflavin • Nicotine • Vitamins E • C • B1 • B2 • 19 kinds of amino acid • K • Na • Ca • Mg • Fe • Cu • Mn • Zn • Se • 21 kinds of minerals • Protein • Calcium • Phosphor • Iron

Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Wolfberry • Matrimony Vine • Kukoshi (Japanese) • Kugicha (Korean) • kỷ tử (Vietnamese)
Plant Family: Solanaceae
A daily serving of 1 oz., goji berries has more vitamin C than an orange, more beta carotene than carrots and more iron than steak.
Species
The two types of goji berries plants are L. chinense and barbarum L.  Both are referred to as goji berries, wolfberry, etc.  L. barbarum has higher amount of betaine than L. chinense and is therefore sweeter than L. chinesnse³
Growth
Lycium barbarum is in the USDA Plant Database.  Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:

USA: Lycium barbarum has been introduced to almost all states.    USDA Zones: 3-10

Native: Southeast Europe, Southwest Asia, Western China

Habitats: Forest edges, well drained soil, 2.5 years to maturity

Goji berries are drought tolerant and like well drain soil.   It grows best in zones 5-9 and tolerates temperatures below zero.  It can be grown in containers or in the ground, although it does much better in the ground because it allows the plant to take deeper roots.  Goji berries will grow in sun or partial shade, however, the greater the amount of sunlight, the more volume of fruit.

Remarks
In our family, we usually purchase the dried goji berries and we grow the plant as a vegetable for soup.  We typically cook it with chicken broth and add a few pieces of goji berries for sweetness.  In Austin, my plants are usually dormant between December and February.  They sprout vigorously between March and June.  Mine do not tolerate 100+ degree weather well.  It will start loosing leaves and become dormant until September/October and then provide another crop of leaves in the fall.  I cut my plants down to 3 inches from the ground so I get fresh and large green leaves.

Category: Tonify Blood 
English: Goji Berry    Pinyin:  Gou Qi Zi      Pharmaceutical: Frutus Lycii  
Organs: Kidney • Liver • Lung      Temperature: Neutral 
Taste: Sweet      Toxicity: Goji berries are high in selenium, taking more than 1 oz per day may be toxic.   
Patterns: Yin deficiency • Blood deficiency 
Actions:  Tonify kidneys • Tonify liver • Tonify essence • Moisten lungs • Nourish Yin • Improve eye sight
Indications: Sore back and legs • mild stomach ache • thirsty • blur vision • dry eyes • eye irritation • eye strain • unproductive cough • excessively hungry • frequent urination • constantly thirsty
Contraindications: Autoimmune disorder • External excess heat • Loose stools • High fever • Pregnancy • Spleen deficiency • Spleen dampness • Diarrhea • Allergic to tobacco • Peaches • Tomatoes • Nuts • Diabetes medication • Blood pressure medication
Typical Dosage: 6-12 g          Guidelines
Parts Used: Berries • Leaves • Stems can be used as herbal medicine/tea.  
Other:
Combine With Purpose
Ju Hua Liver and kidney deficiency: headache, visual acuity, ringing in the ear
Dan Gui + Sha Shen + Chuan Lian Zi Yin deficiency and stagnant liver qi: dry mouth, bitter taste, flank pain, acid regurgitation
Tu Si Zi + Du Zhong Liver and kidney deficiency: spermatorrhea, dizziness, ringing in ear, impotency
Zhi Mu + Mai Men Dong + Bei Mu Unproductive cough
Formulas with Gou Qi Zi:
Bu Shen Gu Chong Wan • Da Ying Jian • Gui Lu Er Xian Jiao • Jing Qian Fang • Nuan Gan Jian • Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan • Qi Ju Di Huang Wan • Yi Guan Jian • You Gui Wan • You Gui Yin • Zan Yu Dan • Zuo Gui Wan • Zuo Gui Yin

Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
  • Do not use during pregnancy
  • Do not use Gou Qi Zhi at least 2 weeks before surgery because of its coumarin content
  • Goji berries are high in selenium, taking more than 1 oz per day can be toxic.
  • There's a potential interaction between Lycium barbarum L. and the blood thinner drug Wafarin.
  • Allergies: do not use if one has an allergy to tobacco, peaches, tomatoes, and nuts.
  • Since these berries lowers blood pressure, be cautious if blood pressure is already low or taking blood pressure lowering drugs.
  • These berries lower blood sugar.  Be cautious if blood sugar is already low or taking anti-diabetic drugs.
Potential Drug Interactions

Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs.  Examples below:

Herbs: ♦Anticoagulants: American Ginseng, Arnica, Rou Gui, Chamomile, Dan Shen, Dang Gui, Deertongue, Sheng Jiang, Goji Berry, Ginko Nutes, Notoginseng, Peach Kernel, Hong Hua, Sweet Clover, Vanilla Grass ♦ Antidiabetic: Mei Gui Hua, Du Zhong, Dang Shen, HuoLong Guo, rougui, Celery, Chamomile, Moringa Tree, Basil, Ku Gua, Hibiscus, Gou Qi Zi, Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu, Shi gao, Xuan Shen, Cang Zhu, Shan yao, Huang Qi, Artichoke

Pharma Drugs:♦Anticoagulants: asprin , clopidogrel (Plavix) , Coumadin , dipyridamole , enoxaparin , Heparin ♦ Antidiabetic: Acarbose (Precose ) , Albiglutide (Tanzeum) , Alogliptin (Nesina) , Bromocriptine mesylate (Cycloset , Canaglifozin (Invokana) , Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) , Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) , Dulaglutide (Trulicity) , Empagliflozin (Jardiance) , Glimepiride (Amaryl) , glipizide (Glucotrol) , Glyburide (DiaBeta , Glynase) , Insulin , Linagliptin (Tradjenta) , Metformin , Miglitol (Glyset) , Nateglinide (Starlix) , Parlodel) , Pioglitazone (Actos) , Pramlintide , Repaglinide (Prandin) , Rosiglitazone (Avandia) , Saxagliptin (Onglyza) , Sitagliptin (Januvia) , Tol-Tab) , Tolazamide (Tolinase) , Tolbutamide (Orinase)

Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience.  While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts,  variations may result from the numerous English translations.   Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs.  The information here is strictly for educational purposes. 

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