Chinese boxthorn

Related Terms

Arabinogalactan proteins, ascorbic acid, atropine, Barbary wolfberry, betaine, beta-sitosterol, boxthorn, carotenoids, Chinese boxthorn, Chinese matrimony vine, Chinese wolfberry, cortex Lycii radicis, Di Gu Pi, Digupi, dried wolfberries, fructus Lycii, fructus Lycii berry, fructus Lycium barbarum L., GoChiT, goji berry, goji juice, gou qi (Chinese), gou qi zi (Chinese), gouqi (Chinese), gouqizi (Chinese), Kei Tze, L. exsertum, L. fremontii, Lacto-Wolfberry, lutein, Lycii berries, Lyciichinensis, Lycii fructus, Lycii fruit, Lycium, Lycium barbarum, Lycium barbarum L., Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP), Lycium californicum, Lycium chilense, Lycium chinense, Lycium chinense Miller, Lycium europeaum, Lycium halimifolium Mill., Lyciumnodosum, Lycium parishii, Lycium ruthenicum, Lyciumshawii, Lycium vulgare Dunal, matrimony vine, Ning Xia Gou Qi (Chinese), polysaccharides, scopoletin, Solanaceae (family), Tibetan goji berry, vitamin C, wolfberry, wolfberry fruit, zeaxanthin.
Select combination products: Runmushu oral liquid (rehmannia root, figwort, lilyturf root, dendrobium stem, wolfberry fruit, chrysanthemum, and sticktight).

Background

The origin of goji berries is unknown. Goji berries have been used as food and medicine for over 2,000 years in Asia. The common name, "wolfberry," is often used in science. There is some controversy as to whether goji and wolfberry are the same fruit. Most experts agree that they are similar, but not identical because they are grown in different parts of Asia. However, the health-food industry has adopted the name, "goji," which may come from the Mandarin name, "gouqi."
The leaves, roots, and root bark have been used as medicine. Goji berries have been used for kidney, liver, and eye health. They have also been used for immune enhancement, male infertility, and anti-aging purposes. Goji berries are rich in nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin. Goji berry is being studied for eye diseases, such as macular degeneration, vision loss with age.
Data is still limited, but there is a growing body of research on goji. Some compounds in goji berries have been studied for possible anticancer, antidiabetic, blood pressure-lowering, anti-infertility, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, and immune-stimulating effects.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


In traditional Chinese medicine, an herbal combination product that contains wolfberry, has been used to treat asthma. Further study is needed to determine the effect of wolfberry alone.

 C


In traditional Chinese medicine, an herbal combination product that contains wolfberry, has been used to treat asthma. Further study is needed to determine the effect of wolfberry alone.

 C


Compounds in goji are found in a variety of plants and have been reported to have immune enhancing benefits. One study looked at the use of goji with powerful immune-stimulating drugs in the treatment of various cancers. Further study on wolfberry alone is needed.

 C


Compounds in goji are found in a variety of plants and have been reported to have immune enhancing benefits. One study looked at the use of goji with powerful immune-stimulating drugs in the treatment of various cancers. Further study on wolfberry alone is needed.

 C


Early study suggests a lack of effect of goji on cognition in healthy adults. Further research is needed.

 C


Early study suggests a lack of effect of goji on cognition in healthy adults. Further research is needed.

 C


Early research suggests that wolfberry may affect immune response. However, further study is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that wolfberry may affect immune response. However, further study is needed in this area.

 C


A combination treatment that includes goji berries has been found to have possible benefits for skin health and may reduce wrinkles. However, information is needed on the effect of goji berries alone.

 C


A combination treatment that includes goji berries has been found to have possible benefits for skin health and may reduce wrinkles. However, information is needed on the effect of goji berries alone.

 C


Goji is a popularly marketed product for vision enhancement. Goji berry contains many nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds are believed to help prevent age-related eye diseases. Early research suggests that whole wolfberries may help improve zeaxanthin levels in the body. A combination product was found to improve tear production. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Goji is a popularly marketed product for vision enhancement. Goji berry contains many nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E, carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These compounds are believed to help prevent age-related eye diseases. Early research suggests that whole wolfberries may help improve zeaxanthin levels in the body. A combination product was found to improve tear production. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early study suggests that GoChiT fruit juice may help reduce waist circumference, but not body weight. More research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Early study suggests that GoChiT fruit juice may help reduce waist circumference, but not body weight. More research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Early study has explored the possible effects of goji on well-being. The fruit juice GoChiT appears to improve some measures of well-being. Further study is needed in this field.

 C


Early study has explored the possible effects of goji on well-being. The fruit juice GoChiT appears to improve some measures of well-being. Further study is needed in this field.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Doses of 6-15 grams daily of goji berries are commonly used. Doses of 3-4 ounces of goji juice have been used for a variety of conditions. Traditionally, goji has been taken in the form of one or more cups of tea daily.
120 milliliters of goji juice (GoChiT) has been taken by mouth daily for up to 30 days has been taken to improve cognition, enhance the immune system, improve vision, and to improve well being.
For weight loss, 120 milliliters of goji juice (GoChiT) has been taken by mouth daily (90 milliliters at breakfast and 30 milliliters at bedtime) for 14 days, along with exercise and calorie restriction.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Goji may affect the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that affect the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Goji may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Goji may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Goji may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Goji may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan?) or diazepam (Valium?), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
Goji may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents toxic to the liver, agents that improve cognition, agents that treat heart disorders, antibiotics, anticancer agents, antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs]), antifungals, antivirals, cholesterol-lowering agents, exercise agents, eye agents, hormonal agents, insulin preparations, interleukins, lung agents, osteoporosis agents, sedatives, skin agents, and weight loss agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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