Goji Berries in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Gou Qi Zi Explained

Dec 3

goji berries, traditional Chinese medicine, gou qi zi herb on a wooden spoon, black background — *Image generated using AI.*

Gou Qi Zi As An Herb

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the goji berry (Lycii Fructus) — known as Gou Qi Zi — is part of the category of “herbs that tonify the blood,” meaning it has a nourishing quality for presentations related to a deficiency of blood. Through this lens, blood deficiency is recognized by various signs and symptoms that guide diagnosis and treatment, including the clinical use of herbal medicine. (Bensky, Clavey, & Stöger, 2015, p.743)

flat lay of goji berries for blog post — *Image generated using AI.*

Energetic Properties of Gou Qi Zi

Within this framework, herbs are differentiated by their energetic properties. For example, Gou Qi Zi has a neutral temperature, sweet taste, and it enters certain energetic pathways in the body, known as meridians, or channels — the Liver, Kidney, and Lung. These specific qualities are what determine its therapeutic functions, cautions, and contraindications (Bensky, Clavey, & Stöger, 2015, p.761).

goji berries in a white round marble bowl on a black background — *Image generated using AI.*

Therapeutic Function of Gou Qi Zi

Therapeutically, Gou Qi Zi, may be used to support the body with its tonifying and moistening nature. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, this can provide nourishment to the Liver Blood, Kidney Yin, and Lung Yin, while also brightening the eyes and subtly tonifying the Kidney Yang (Bensky, Clavey, & Stöger, 2015, p.761).

Based on published research, “the health benefits of goji berries include enhancing hemopoiesis, antiradiation, antiaging, anticancer, improvement of immunity, and antioxidation”(Ma et al., 2019).

two black ceramic bowls with goji berries on a black background — *Image generated using AI.*

Gou Qi Zi Cautions + Contraindications

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the use of gou qi zi is cautioned for patients presenting with symptoms of Spleen deficiency and dampness. (Bensky, Clavey, & Stöger, 2015, p.761) A qualified practitioner may use it with other herbs and the dosage will be modified as part of an herbal formula prescribed to you, or it can be substituted with a different blood nourishing herb if needed.

goji berries steeping in hot water in a double walled glass mug — *Image generated using AI.*

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References

Bensky, D., Clavey, S., & Stöger, E. (2015). Chinese herbal medicine: Materia medica (Portable 3rd ed.). Eastland Press.

Ma, Z. F., Zhang, H., Teh, S. S., Wang, C. W., Zhang, Y., Hayford, F., Wang, L., Ma, T., Dong, Z., Zhang, Y., & Zhu, Y. (2019). Goji Berries as a Potential Natural Antioxidant Medicine: An Insight into Their Molecular Mechanisms of Action. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity, 2019, 2437397. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2437397

Dr. Amanda Ortiz

Dr. Amanda Ortiz is a licensed acupuncturist certified by the California Acupuncture Board. An artist and writer at heart, she holds both a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Her private practice is based in Venice, CA.