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Cura x Cura

Gou Qi Zi枸杞子

Lycii Fructus · Goji Berry · Wolfberry · Lycium Fruit

Herbs that Tonify the Yin 补阴药《神农本草经》

Overview

A sweet, moist, food-like berry that nourishes Liver and Kidney yin and replenishes essence — the standard herb for blurred vision, dizziness and a weak lower back arising from that deficiency. It is eaten raw, cooked into soups and congee, or decocted. The dispensary also carries two processed forms at the same dose: dry-fried Gou Qi Zi sits more easily on a weak digestion, while salt-fried Gou Qi Zi is directed more firmly into the Kidney for lower back and knee weakness.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Liver · Kidney

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
枸杞子Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

3 core actions

  • Nourishes Liver and Kidney, boosts essenceDizziness, tinnitus, a sore weak lower back and knees, nocturnal emission; dry-fried when the digestion is weak, salt-fried when the lower back is the focus.
  • Brightens the eyesBlurred or dim vision and dry eyes from Liver and Kidney yin deficiency — the addition that turns Liu Wei Di Huang Wan into Qi Ju Di Huang Wan.
  • Moistens the LungDry, unproductive cough on a background of yin deficiency.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Gou Qi Zi

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Blurred vision and dry eyes from Liver-Kidney yin deficiency
    - Dizziness and tinnitus
    - Sore, weak lower back and knees
    - Dry cough of yin deficiency
    - Nocturnal emission and depleted essence

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Eye strainDry eyesDizzinessLow back painFatigue

Contraindications

Cautions

Sweet and moistening: set it aside during an acute exterior illness, and use it carefully in Spleen-deficient dampness with loose stools, where it can loosen them further. Widely eaten as a food, but a patient taking warfarin should tell their prescriber before using it regularly — raised INR has been reported with regular goji intake.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies; it is commonly eaten as a food during pregnancy.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.