While learning Chinese Herbal Medicine you will learn over 300 individual herbs, and more than 200 herbal formulas! For each herb we learn the Pinyin, category, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) function, property, action, indication, dosage, and incompatibilities.

I have decided that the best way for me to interface with these herbs is to connect with them on a deeper level. My latest deep dive is with goji berries. Gou Qi Zi, wolfberry fruit, or frutus lycii is a sweet and neutral fruit that enters the liver and kidney meridians. It nourishes the liver and kidneys, tonifies the blood, essence, and it can improve one’s vision.

In Western medicine goji berries are touted to be high in antioxidants and help to protect DNA, lipids, and proteins from free radicals.

One reason why Gou Qi Zi are good for eye health is because of the zeaxanthin and carotenoids that are in its chemical composition. Keep in mind that they are a member of the nightshade family in case you have any allergies or sensitivities.

I was generously gifted clippings, so I have been propagating them in water while their root system has an opportunity to bulk up. When it’s more established, I can finally plant the clippings in soil! Until then I enjoy Gou Qi Zi by tossing a few of the dried variety into my evening tea. Goji berries have been traditionally used in congee, soups, tinctures, and wine preparations. But remember it’s best practice to consult with your health professional before introducing new herbs into your diet.

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