Goji
Lycium barbarumGoji is in the same family as tomato, aubergine, pepper and tobacco (the nightshades).
What is Goji?
Goji (Lycium barbarum) is a plant of the Solanaceae family. Traditions that use it: Asia and Siberia. Part used: fruit, root bark.
What is Goji used for?
Traditional use: For at least two thousand years Chinese medicine has used the fruit (gouqizi) to nourish the liver and kidneys and strengthen the eyes; dried berries from Ningxia are famous. Scientific evidence: limited. Goji polysaccharides show immune and antioxidant effects in lab and animal studies.
Is Goji safe?
Safety label: caution. Safe as a fruit for most people. Bleeding and raised INR have been reported in people taking warfarin. It belongs to the nightshade family and may cause allergy in people allergic to tomato or aubergine. Pesticide residues have been reported in dried products, so buy from a reliable source.
Traditional use
For at least two thousand years Chinese medicine has used the fruit (gouqizi) to nourish the liver and kidneys and strengthen the eyes; dried berries from Ningxia are famous. The root bark is a separate medicine used for fever.
Since the 2000s it has spread in the West and in Türkiye as a “superfood”, and is now grown in Turkish gardens too.
In nature
Mix-up risk
The small red, oblong berries could be confused with poisonous wild fruits; do not pick berries in the wild. Chinese wolfberry (L. chinense) is also sold as goji.
Preparation
Dried berries are eaten as they are or added to yoghurt and tea; a handful a day is a common amount.
What science says
Goji polysaccharides show immune and antioxidant effects in lab and animal studies. Small human studies report positive results on eye health and general well-being, but most are short and of low quality. Claims that it slows ageing or helps against cancer are unproven.
Safety
Safe as a fruit for most people. Bleeding and raised INR have been reported in people taking warfarin. It belongs to the nightshade family and may cause allergy in people allergic to tomato or aubergine. Pesticide residues have been reported in dried products, so buy from a reliable source.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Warfarin | Cases of bleeding and raised INR have been reported; avoid together or check INR often. |
| Diabetes and blood pressure medicines | May lower blood sugar and blood pressure; effects can add up. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Goji.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchGoji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety (Planta Med 2010)
- ResearchBleeding due to a probable interaction between warfarin and Gouqizi (Toxicol Rep 2015)
- ResearchA Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease (2019)
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Lycium barbarum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe