‘Goji’; Chinese Wolfberry Gou Qi Zi (TCM) Chirchita (Ayurveda) ‘Dre tsher ma འདྲེ་ཚེར་མ་, ‘Phang ‘bras འཕང་འབྲས (Tibet) L. barbarum Duhamel du Monceau, Traité des arbres et arbustes, Nouvelle édition 1800-1803
Gou Qi (Adam, 2017)
Botanical name:
Lycium chinense, L. barbarum. There are a number of Lycium species that supply the market.
1. Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin: (TCM, Tibet) -weakness and aching of the Lower Back and Legs -Impotence, Spermatorrhea -Diabetes-like disorders, Consumption -Anemia -used in formulas for Female diseases (TCM, Tibet) -“It consolidates Tendon and Bone” (Meng Xian)
3. Benefits the Essence: (TCM, Tibet) -Chronic Fatigue from Essence deficiency, premature Aging -dullness of Mind and Spirit; Dizziness, Tinnitus -it nourishes Yin and Blood while also helping nourish Yang and Essence when combined with suitable herbs. -“Keeps one from aging … Tonifies Jing [Essence]” (Meng Xian)
4. Nourishes Lungs: -chronic Cough, Consumption
Dose:
Decoction: 6–12 grams. Often added to flower teas and soups in China.
Preparation:
A Traditional method of preparation involved washing, soaking in wine overnight, then beating to a paste. (Li Shi Zhen)
Main Combinations:
Lycium Gou Qi Zi and Chrysanthemum Ju Hua This combination clears Heat from the Liver while simultaneously nourishing Liver Yin and Blood. It is useful to strengthen the Eyesight, as well as for Headache, Tinnitus and Deafness. It is also commonly taken as a tea by young women to keep the skin healthy and clean.
1. To strengthen the Vision, Blurred Vision, failing Eyesight: i. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Ligustrum Nu Zhen Zi ii. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Eyebright iii. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Fennel seed (Xiao Hui Xiang) iv. chronic conditions with deficiency, Cassia tora Jue Ming Zi with Lycium Gou Qi v. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Fennel seed (Xiao Hui Xiang), Melia Chuan Lian Zi, Sichuan Pepper (Hua Jiao), Sesame seed, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, made into pills with Honey. (Chinese Materia Medica, Stuauoft) 2. To nourish Kidney and Liver Yin, Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Dioscorea Shan Yao -to Warm and strengthen the Yang, add Cinnamon and Aconitum Fu Zi -add Poria Fu Ling and Honey-fried Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao) (as in Zuo Gui Yin) -Infertility, anovulation, chronic anemia, add Dang Gui, Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi) -to more strongly nourish Yin and Essence, with Turtle Shell gelatin (Gui Jiao), Deer horn gelatin (Lu Jiao Jiao) and Dodder seed (Tu Si Zi) (as in Zuo Gui Wan) 3. Lower Back and Leg pain and weakness from deficiency: i. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Eucommia Du Zhong and Cuscuta Tu Si Zi. ii. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Eucommia Du Zhong and Cyanthula Chuan Niu Xi 4. Consumptive Cough, Lung Yin deficiency: i. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Asparagus Tian Men Dong and Anemarrhena Zhi Mu. ii. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Lillium Bai He, Sweet Almond (Xing Ren), Licorice iii. Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Raisin, Licorice 5. Overexertion and Weakness of Yin, Lycium Gou Qi Zi with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang and Asparagus root (Tian Men Dong) 6. To support during Chemotherapy: Astragalus Huang Qi, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Poria Fu Ling, Asparagus root (Tian Men Dong), Dang Gui, Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Citrus Chen Pi, Costus Mu Xiang
There are many food and tea recipes using Goji in China too: 1. Goji and Chrysanthemum tea, good for the skin, to prevent ageing and help the Liver. 2. Goji and Walnut Congee, to strengthen Kidneys, and for Winter 3. Goji and Lamb, a warming blood tonic recipe for Winter 4. Mushroom and Goji stir-fry 5. Goji and Corn Soup 6. Tonic Chicken Soup with Goji, Red Dates (Da Zao), Codonopsis Dang Shen and Dang Gui, a Blood and Qi tonic. 7. Cook Cordyceps with Duck, Chicken or Pork and Astragalus Huang Qi, Angelica Dang Gui and Lycium Gou Qi Zi. A potent tonic soup.
Cautions:
1. Not used in Spleen deficiency with Dampness and Diarrhea 2. In Ayurveda, the Fruit and Root-bark are prohibited in Bleeding disorders.
L. barbarum
Gou Qi (Adam, 2017)