Lycii Berry (Goji) Lycium barbarum

Botanical Information

Common Names: Goji Berry, Lycii Berry, Wolfberry

Botanical Name: Lycium barbarum (allied species: L. chinense)

Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)

Description: Thorny deciduous shrub with narrow gray-green leaves, purple funnel-shaped flowers, and bright red-orange oblong berries. The dried berries are wrinkled, sweet-tart, and slightly chewy.

History & Tradition

• Key “blood and yin” tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine for liver and kidney systems.
• Used to nourish eyes, fertility, jing (essence), and general vitality.
• Eaten as a food-medicine: in soups, congees, teas, and tonic wines.

Cultivation & Parts Used

Parts Used: Berries (fruits), occasionally leaf in some traditions.

Growing Conditions: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established; hardy in temperate climates.

Collection: Ripe berries harvested late summer–autumn; gently dried to preserve color and constituents.

Doctrine of Signatures

The bright red berries resemble little drops of blood or tiny hearts, suggesting affinity with blood, eyes, and essence. The thorny, hardy shrub speaks to endurance and protection of vital reserves.

Medicinal & Energetic Properties

Constituents

Polysaccharides, carotenoids (including zeaxanthin), flavonoids, vitamins (especially vitamin C), minerals, amino acids, trace betaine.

Actions

Blood and yin tonic (TCM) • Antioxidant • Hepatoprotective (studied) • Eye tonic • Mild immune-modulating • Gentle adaptogen-like support.

Taste & Energetics

Taste: Sweet, slightly tart

Energetics: Neutral to slightly cooling • Moistening • Nourishing

Tissue States: Deficient • Dry • Depleted blood and yin, especially with eye strain and fatigue

Internal Uses

• Blood and yin deficiency patterns with fatigue, dry eyes, dizziness (TCM context).
• Eye support in cases of strain, prolonged screen use, and aging (as part of broader support).
• General tonic for fertility, sexual vitality, and recovery from depletion.
• Nourishing antioxidant food for chronic stress and aging concerns.

Topical Uses

Occasionally used in cosmetic preparations as antioxidant-rich extracts for skin.

Combinations

• With Schisandra and Rehmannia in TCM tonic formulas (if you’re using those allies).
• With Hawthorn and Hibiscus for blood and heart-supporting blends.

Homeopathic Remedy

Not a classic Western homeopathic remedy; use is primarily as food-medicine and herbal tonic.

Flower Essence

Supports gentle replenishment of essence after chronic overwork or giving too much; helps restore joy and color to life.

Essential Oil

Not used as an essential oil; properties are in the whole fruit.

Culinary Use

Eaten by the handful, cooked in soups and congees, added to teas, trail mixes, and desserts. Often soaked briefly before use in cooking or tea.

Safety Notes

• Generally safe as a food in moderate amounts.
• May interact with certain medications (e.g. warfarin and some blood sugar medications); use caution and monitor if on such drugs.
• As with other nightshade-family plants, watch for rare idiosyncratic reactions.

This information is educational and not a substitute for medical advice.

Spiritual & Ritual Uses

Lycii berry is a tonic of joy and long view—nourishing life force, vision (literal and symbolic), and the capacity to keep going over the long journey.

Astroherbalism

Planetary Rulership: Jupiter and Sun

Zodiac: Sagittarius, Leo

Signature: Bright red longevity berry that feeds blood, essence, and vision.

Chakra Correspondence

Liver/Eye field & Sacral: Vision, vitality, fertility, creative essence.

Cosmic Ray

Ruby–Gold Ray: Abundant life force, joyful nourishment, and long-term vitality.

Alchemy & Spagyrics

Salt (Body): Encodes structural nourishment for blood, eyes, and reproductive tissues.

Sulfur (Soul): Soul-fire of joy, optimism, and will to thrive.

Mercury (Spirit): Distributes nourishment through subtle and physical circulatory networks.

Spagyric Purpose: To replenish depleted essence, support vision, and gently fortify long-term vitality.

Magical & Spiritual Properties

Longevity • Joy • Vision • Fertility • Abundance.

Tarot Correspondence

Nine of Pentacles: Cultivated abundance, long-term tending of health and resources.

Keywords: Goji • Blood & Yin Tonic • Longevity • Vision • Joyful Nourishment