- Also called:
- wolfberry or goji
Goji berry
How are goji berries used in traditional Chinese medicine?
What are some modern uses of goji berries?
How can goji berries be consumed in food and beverages?
Goji berry, fruit of the deciduous Asian shrubs Lycium barbarum and L. chinense valued for its medicinal and nutritional benefits. The term goji is an Anglicization of the berry’s Chinese name, gouqi. The berry has been called the “red diamond” for its bright red color and has gained a reputation as a “superfood,” because it is a rich source of nutrients.
Physical characteristics and properties
Lycium barbarum (common matrimony vine) and L. chinense (Chinese desert-thorn) are both shrubs, often thorny, with gray-green and bright green leaves, respectively. Lycium barbarum can grow to 2.5–3.7 meters (8–12 feet) in height, whereas L. chinense shrubs are usually slightly shorter. The flowers are typically purple, and the fruits emerge from June to September every year.
Fresh goji berries are bittersweet with a slight tang, often described as a cross between a cranberry and a cherry. Though the species are closely related, the fruit of L. barbarum is meatier in texture, sweeter, and less astringent than the more fibrous L. chinense. Most commercially available goji berries are from L. barbarum. The berries are a good source of vitamins A and C, minerals such as iron and potassium, antioxidants, amino acids, and betaine; they also contain high levels of fiber and protein.
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History and cultivation
The goji berry has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for at least 2,000 years. Its first documented use was about 200 bce in Shennong bencaojing (The Divine Farmer’s Classic of Materia Medica), considered the oldest reference book on Chinese medicinal herbs. This book classifies 365 traditional herbs into three grades, and the goji berry was among the 120 herbs rated in the top grade for their safety and health benefits. Use of the berry was later recorded in Bencao gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), a 16th-century collection of 52 volumes composed by Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty—a work considered the most complete and comprehensive medical book ever written on TCM.
From at least the 7th century ce, both L. barbarum and L. chinense berries were used in medicine as well as food. The berry of L. barbarum was acknowledged as superior in quality, though the berry of L. chinense was often used instead because of its accessibility. Cultivation of L. barbarum increased beginning in the 1960s when cultivars of the species were introduced on a large scale to several regions in China. In the 21st century, cultivation has spread to regions outside Asia.
Uses of goji berry
Traditional Chinese medicine
TCM is based on the philosophical concept of yinyang, which holds that the universe is governed by two opposite but complementary energies (yin and yang); practitioners maintain that keeping the energies in balance is essential to health. Within this framework, goji berry preparations, including tonics, tinctures, and powders, are used to support the yin of the liver, kidneys, and lungs. Yin corresponds to blood in the liver, and a liver yin deficiency can lead to dry eyes, blurred vision, or decreased visual acuity. Kidney yin deficiency can lead to poor concentration, reproductive issues, or weakness of the back and knees. In the lungs, yin corresponds to moisture, and lung yin deficiency can lead to a dry throat or a persistent dry cough.
TCM practitioners also use goji berry preparations to address health conditions including diabetes, vertigo, abdominal pain, night sweats, and prematurely graying hair. TCM prescriptions are usually tailored to individuals and hence are not suitable for everyone.
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Modern medicine
Researchers have studied the use of the berry in treatments involving the liver, heart, eyes, and immune system, as well as in treating and preventing diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and heart disease. Goji berries have also been shown to alleviate the effects of alcohol-induced fatty liver damage.
The berry’s use has also been investigated in preclinical trials as a treatment for conditions such as glaucoma, cancer, liver disease, and others associated with aging. However, some studies have shown that eating goji berries may trigger an allergic reaction in some people; they have also been seen to interfere with diabetes medications and blood thinners. More clinical evidence is needed before goji berries can be formally prescribed for medicinal purposes.
Cosmetic products
Goji berries are used in cosmetic products for their antioxidant, hair- and skin-conditioning, and skin-protecting functions. These products have been shown to be effective at reducing the appearance of uneven skin tones and at decreasing levels of skin-damaging molecules while promoting the longevity of cells that produce structural molecules such as collagen. Goji berries are also found in the ingredients of several facial creams, facial masks, and blush products.
Food and beverages
In Asia, and especially in China, people have historically eaten raw goji berries as a snack, added them to salads, used them in soups and juices, and brewed them into herbal teas. Since the early 21st century, when the berries became popular in the United States and Europe, many additional uses have been found for the berries in foods and beverages. Dried goji berries can be added to breakfast cereal, salads, yogurt, trail mix, and baked goods such as cookies, scones, and bread. They can also be rehydrated (soaked in water until plump) and added to salsas, sauces, or anything else that may benefit from their slightly sweet flavor. Goji berry powder can be used in baking as well as mixed into salad dressings, drinks, and milkshakes.