What Is the Goji Berry Good For?

The name goji berry refers to two related fruiting plants--Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense--classified in the Solanaceae family. These plants are similar in properties, and are used in alternative medicine and in food.

Alternative Medicine: Curing

• Traditionally the goji berry is used to treat diseases such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, hyperlipidemia, male infertility, thrombosis and eye problems.

Alternative Medicine: Health Enhancer

• It is also used as an anti-aging substance, tranquilizer, thirst quencher, blood nourisher, and as a liver, lung and kidney tonic.

Modern Medicine

• According to Drugs.com the goji berry may be an antioxidant, immune-enhancer and hypoglycemic, as well as having liver, neurological and eye protecting properties.

Nutrition

• According to The Daily Plate, 40 grams of goji berries contain the following amounts of nutrition based on the recommended daily allowance (RDA): 150 calories, 20 percent Vitamin A, 10 percent Vitamin C, 10 percent protein, 4 percent fiber and 8 percent iron.

Food

• Orange-red goji berries are used in yogurt, cereal, smoothies, baked goods and trail mix. The leaves are used to make tea.