Wolfberry's therapeutic uses

DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.

• PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: None
• OTHER PROPOSED USES: Alzheimer’s disease prevention, cancer treatment, diabetes, high cholesterol, life extension, liver protection, enhancement of sexual function in men and in women, antioxidant, immune system support, eye health, blood sugar control, boost energy and mood

Overview

Wolfberry, the berry of the Lycium chinense plant, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The wolfberry is also referred to as the goji berry. Chinese herbal medicine is part of an ancient and complex medical system that analyzes the effects of treatments on the energy of various organs. Within this system, Lycium berry has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, moistening the lungs, and supplementing the yin. Typical uses based on these actions include life extension and treatment of dry skin, dizziness, diminished sexual desire, low back pain, and chronic dry cough.

Therapeutic Dosages

Wolfberry tincture is typically taken in a dose of 3 to 4 tablespoons daily. People taking standardized extracts or other forms of the herb should follow label instructions.

Therapeutic Uses

Wolfberry is a nutritious food containing relatively high levels of numerous vitamins and minerals. Its antioxidants may help protect cells from free radicals, which cause long-term and chronic health conditions. Its high levels of vitamin C may also boost the immune system. In one study, older adults were given wolfberry along with their influenza vaccine, and they had an increased antibody response. However, other proposed uses of wolfberry have little to no meaningful supporting evidence.

For example, while wolfberry is widely marketed as a life-extension aid, there is no scientific evidence that it offers this benefit. Even within the framework of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the herb’s action is far more complex, and it would not be expected to prolong life per se.

Much the same can be said regarding the proposed uses of wolfberry to enhance male or female sexual function. Weak evidence from test-tube studies, far too preliminary to rely upon, hints at potential liver-protective, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, anticancer, cholesterol-lowering, and blood-sugar-lowering effects.

There are several other suggested therapeutic uses for wolfberry. The antioxidants in wolfberry may protect eye health and fight against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. These antioxidants, as well as wolfberry’s anti-inflammatory properties, may prove to play a crucial role in anti-aging. Supplementation with wolfberry may help with diabetes support by regulating blood sugar and improving insulin sensitivity. Finally, wolfberry may increase energy and enhance mood. Although some double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of wolfberry exist, more are needed to confirm its health benefits.

Safety Issues

Wolfberry is a widely used type of food packed with nutrients. It is thought to be relatively safe. However, it has undergone little comprehensive safety testing. Maximum safe doses in pregnant or nursing women, young children, and people with severe liver or kidney disease have not been established.

Bibliography

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Sharifi-Rad, Javad, et al. "Supercharging Metabolic Health with Lycium Barbarum L.: A Review of the Therapeutic Potential of This Functional Food for Managing Metabolic Syndrome." Food Frontiers, vol. 5, no. 2, 2024, pp. 420-34, doi.org/10.1002/fft2.327. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Vidal, Karine, et al. "Immunomodulatory Effects of Dietary Supplementation With a Milk-Based Wolfberry Formulation in Healthy Elderly: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial." Rejuvenation Research, vol. 15, no. 1, 2012, pp. 89-97, doi:10.1089/rej.2011.1241. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Wenli, Sun, et al. "Health Benefits of Wolfberry (Gou Qi Zi, Fructus barbarum L.) on the Basis of Ancient Chineseherbalism and Western Modern Medicine." Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, vol. 11, no. 2, 2021, pp. 109-19.

Zhang, M., et al. "Effect of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide on Human Hepatoma QGY7703 Cells: Inhibition of Proliferation and Induction of Apoptosis." Life Sciences, vol. 76, 2005, pp. 2115-24.