Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi, 枸杞子) is the bright red fruit of Lycium barbarum, native to the Ningxia region of northwestern China — a small, intensely sweet-tart berry that has been one of China's most cherished health foods and medicinal herbs for over 2,000 years. Listed in the Shennong Bencao Jing as a superior-grade herb, it occupies a unique position as both everyday food and potent tonic, consumed daily by millions of Chinese people in congee, soups, teas, and desserts.
Sweet and neutral in nature, Goji Berry enters the Liver, Kidney, and Lung channels. Its primary actions are nourishing Liver and Kidney Yin, brightening the eyes (the Liver opens to the eyes in TCM theory), and moistening the Lung. It is one of the foremost herbs in classical formulas for eye health — the celebrated Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium Berry, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill) uses it as a principal herb for blurred vision, declining eyesight, and dry, tired eyes from Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency. Its deep red colour reflects its rich content of zeaxanthin, betaine, and Lycium polysaccharides — compounds now extensively studied for antioxidant, eye-protective, immune-modulating, and anti-ageing properties.