Gou Qi Zi - Chinese Wolfberry Fruit
TCM Materia Medica
Gou Qi Zi TCM Herb Classifications and Usages
The TCM herb "gou qi zi" which in english is 
"chinese wolfberry fruit", is categorized within the "herbs that tonify blood" functional grouping. It is thought to enter the kidney, liver and lung channels and exhibits neutral (ping) and sweet (gan) taste/temperature properties.
Dosages and preparations will vary according to each individual and the overall approach of a formula, but generally this herb has the following dosage and/or preparation guidelines:
- Dosage: 6-18g
Of many possible clinical applications, it may be considered to influence the following issues/symptoms:
- Nourish and tonify liver and kidney - yin and/or blood deficiency w/sore back and legs, low grade abdominal pain, impotence, nocturnal emission, xiao ke; neutral nature - commonly used for liver and kidney deficiency.
- Benefits the essence and brightens the eyes - essence and blood are unable to nourish eyes, dizziness, blurred vision, diminished acuity.
- Enrich yin and moisten the lungs - consumptive cough.
Gou Qi Zi may potentially be used, in coordination with a well tailored formula (in most cases), to influence the following conditions: abdominal pain, back pain, cough, dizziness (vertigo), impotence (erectile dysfunction), leg pain and/or vision problems
While it may not always be included depending on the manufacturer or herbalist making the formula, gou qi zi is generally included in the following 10 formulas:
ViewBu Nao Wan (Brain Supplementing Pills)
A range of psychiatric, cognitive decline, trauma issues - benefit and clears the brain, transforms phlegm and tonifies kidney qi and the blood. Often used for both general cognitive decline/dementi…
ViewDa Bu Gan Wan (Major Liver Nutrition Pills)
Brittle nails, yellowing of the skin (jaundice). Abdominal cramping, distension or pain in the hypochrondia due to liver qi stangation Fatty liver, hepatitis and other liver diseases.
ViewJiang Dan Gu Chun Wan (Contribute To Youthfulness Pills)
For high cholesterol, generally focuses on strengthening metabolism, transforming dampness, tonifying spleen qi, and mildly moving blood stasis in Chinese Medicine terms.
ViewQi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycii Chrysanthemum Teapills)
Yin deficiency symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, night sweats, hot flashes, heat in the soles and dryness. Blurry vision, possibly with dry eyes.
ViewRen Shen Shou Wu Wan (Ginseng Fo-Ti Pills)
Hair loss, dry hair, greying hair as a result of dimished jing/essence. Low sperm count, low libedo, and infertility.
ViewWu Zi Yang Zong Wan (Five Seeds to Bring Forth Offspring)
Impotence, premature ejaculation, noctural emissions, low libedo from weakened kidney jing (essence). Poor concentration and memory, listlessness, general fatigue and worsening eyesight also resulti…
ViewYi Guan Jian Wan (Linking Decoction)
GI issues from yin deficiency (liver and kidney) with liver qi stagnation leading to stomach yin issues - gastritis, ulcers, reflux, bloating. The underlying factors lead to dryness of the blood, th…
ViewYou Gui Wan (Restore the Right Kidney Pill)
Cold extremities, fatigue, weak/aching low back, knees, waist, aversion to cold, loose stools - due to kindney yang deficiency. Impotence, infertility, low libedo, low sperm count, abnormal sperm mo…
ViewZhuang Yang Wan (Strengthen Kidney Yang And Preserve Power Pill)
Tonifies the kidney yang and astringe the jing (essence), primarily for sexual dysfunction in older males - symptoms may include impotence, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and other sign…
ViewZuo Gui Wan (Right Returning Pills)
Infertility, low libedo, impotence due to kidney yin deficiency. Low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology resulting from jing deficiency. Irregular menstruation, vaginal dryness.
As noted above, gou qi zi is within the herbs that tonify blood functional group. All the herbs in this category are listed below.
(truncated intro "... symptoms of blood deficiency - pallid face and lips, dizziness, vertigo, diminished vision, lethargy, palpitations, dry skin, menstrual irregularities, pale tongue, fine pulse. heart and liver are the most affected. biomedicine - not alwa…)".
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