Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ (枸杞子), known in English as Goji berry/Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum), is a neutral, sweet Chinese herb from the Tonify yin category. It enters the Liver, Kidney and Lung channels. Its main action: nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood.
| Pinyin | Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ (Gou Qi Zi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 枸杞子 |
| English | Goji berry/Wolfberry |
| Botanical name | Lycium barbarum |
| Category | Tonify yin |
| Nature | Neutral |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney, Lung |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Damp-Heat |
Actions
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood
- Brightens eyes
- Moistens Lung
Indications
- Liver and Kidney Yin/Blood deficiency: dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature greying
- Lung deficiency cough
- Wasting-thirst
How to remember Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
Tonify yin herbs are mostly cool or cold and sweet, and most enter the Kidney and Liver channels.
- You can work these out
- Sweet: like most Tonify yin herbs
- Liver and Kidney channels: from its action “Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood”
- Lung channel: from its action “Moistens Lung”
- Learn by heart
- Neutral: unusual for Tonify yin herbs (most are cool or cold)
Formulas containing Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ
Other Tonify yin herbs
- Mài Dōng
- Nǚ Zhēn Zǐ
- Shēng Dì Huáng
- Tiān Dōng
- Yù Zhú
- Shí Hú
- Hàn Lián Cǎo
- Guī Bǎn
- Biē Jiǎ
- Bǎi Hé
- Běi Shā Shēn
- Huáng Jīng
- Sāng Shèn
- Hēi Zhī Má
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ?
Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ is neutral and sweet.
Which channels does Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ enter?
Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ enters the Liver, Kidney and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ?
Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and Blood; Brightens eyes; Moistens Lung.
What is Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ used for?
Liver and Kidney Yin/Blood deficiency: dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, premature greying; Lung deficiency cough; wasting-thirst.
Which formulas contain Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ?
Zuǒ Guī Wán, Nuǎn Gān Jiān, Yòu Guī Wán, Yī Guàn Jiān and Qǐ Jú Dì Huáng Wán.
Practise Gǒu Qǐ Zǐ and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.