Yin Tonics
Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberry Fruit)
Name
Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii), from Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong's Herbal)
Source and quality
The ripe fruit of the deciduous shrub Lycium barbarum L. of the family Eggplant. It is produced in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Gansu province, and the ripe fruit is collected in summer and autumn.
It has a slight odor and is sweet with a slight sour taste. The best grade is large and red, with thick flesh, few seeds and a sweet taste. It is used unprocessed.
Nature and action
Sweet and neutral. It enters the liver and kidney meridians.
It nourishes the yin of the liver and kidney, supplements blood and essence, and improves vision.
Indications
The various essence and blood deficiency syndromes
It is a key herb for tonifying blood and nourishing essence, because it nourishes the kidney, supplements essence and nourishes blood.
- For deficiency of blood and essence of the liver and kidney, it is effective on its own, for instance as an alcoholic preparation named Gou Qi Jiu from Yin Shan Zheng Yao (Principles of Correct Diet), or combined with other herbs that nourish blood and essence, such as Huang Jing in Er Jing Wan from Qi Xiao Liang Fang (Magic Effective Prescriptions).
- For soreness and limpness of the lumbar region and knees, and spermatorrhea due to deficiency of liver and kidney yang, it is combined with herbs that nourish yin and tonify the kidney, such as Tian Dong and Gan Di Huang in Gou Qi Wan from Gu Jin Lu Yan Fang (Ancient and Modern Effective Prescriptions).
- For soreness of the lumbar region, spermatorrhea, seminal emission, spontaneous sweating, night sweat, deafness and blurred vision due to deficiency of kidney essence, it is combined with herbs that nourish the kidney and supplement essence, such as Shu Di Huang, Gui Jia Jiao and Shan Zhu Yu in Zuogui Wan from Jing Yue Quan Shu.
- For insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep and a sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, it is combined with herbs that nourish blood and calm the spirit, such as Long Yan Rou in Qi Yuan Gao from She Sheng Mi Pou.
Blurred vision due to liver and kidney deficiency
It tonifies the liver and kidney and is skilled at improving vision. It is a commonly used herb for blurred vision and short sight due to liver and kidney deficiency, and is combined with herbs that tonify the liver and kidney and improve vision, such as Ju Hua, Shu Di Huang and Shan Zhu Yu in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan from Yi Ji.
Dosage and administration
Decoct 10~15 g.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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