Herb for Longevity: Goji Berry

A monk once visited a village where all the villagers, including the elderlies, were happy and healthy with fine complexions. He met a woman nearby the village well and asked her how everyone in the village looked so happy and healthy. She replied that it was because of the tree above the well. The tree was a goji berry tree. The villagers regularly consumed goji berries which fell into the well and that is what kept villagers healthy. Because everyone was healthy and one’s parents lived long, nobody had concerns and looked happy.   

That was a folk tale on goji berry. According to texts on herbs, goji berry (Gou Qi Zi) “strengthens the sinews and bones when taken for a long time, prevents ageing by making the body light, builds resistance to cold and heat”. At the same time, it tonifies the Kidneys, nourishes the Essence (Jing), tonifies the Liver, and replenishes the Blood. This means that it will benefit those with sore and weak lower back, ringing in the ear, spermatorrhea (spontaneous emission/ejaculation), dizziness, blurry vision, and those with weak Yin Fluids. We can see why it is listed as one of the finest herbs. It is especially beneficial to consume it with white Chrysanthemum flowers (Bai Ju Hua) and prepared Rehmannia root (Shu Di Huang) when there is blurry vision and dizziness due to weak Liver and Kidneys. In folk medicine, it was called the “fruits that brighten eyes” for this reason.  

Its effects don’t stop there. It replenishes the fluids in the body, stops thirst, and moistens the Lungs. Therefore, it is good for chronic cough due to damaged lungs, and it is also good for “Xiao Ke (wasting and thirsting disorder)”, meaning diabetes. The name of the disease comes from the key symptoms of diabetes mellitus which are lots of thirst, lots of hunger, lots of urination, and emaciation.

Histologically, goji berry also has a hepatoprotective effect and promotes regeneration of liver cells. It is therefore beneficial for conditions like chronic hepatitis, fatty liver disease, and liver damage associated with alcohol consumption. Laboratory studies have also shown that goji berry lowers serum cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and glucose levels. Hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and diabetes are prevalent in elderly patients so it proves to be an ideal herb for elderlies again.  

Goji berry enhances immunity. This property also confers anti-cancer effects. A strong immune system and healthy Liver and Kidneys are essential for longevity. It makes sense that it is a very important herb in our discussion of longevity. On top of all this, it has a neutral temperature, and it even tastes good (it is sweet!), making it one of the most commonly used herbs in medicinal/therapeutic cooking. Goji berries can often be bought in the dried form. It can be consumed as it is but also as a garnish in cooking or boiled into a tea.

However, even though goji berry seems beneficial for all kinds of conditions, it must not be used in cases like infectious diseases (common colds, flu, etc.). This caution applies to all tonics in general because tonifying the body at the time when an external pathogen invades the body may make the disease last/remain in the body longer. Tonifying the body should be done in prevention and after completely removing the pathogen (e.g. couple of weeks after the cold is over).