Herbal Teas & Extracts · Herbal tea
Goji Berry Tea
Lycium barbarum L. · also called Goji tea, wolfberry tea, gou qi zi tea, Chinese wolfberry tea, té de bayas de goji (Spanish).
Goji berry tea is a caffeine-free drink made by steeping the dried red berries of Lycium barbarum, a shrub in the nightshade family. It is drunk as a tonic, especially in Chinese tradition. No trial has tested the tea itself; the small studies used berries, a branded juice or extracts and found modest effects. The main cautions are warfarin, allergy and, for some people, other medicines.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Goji Berry Tea
Goji berry tea is a caffeine-free infusion of the dried red berries of Lycium barbarum, a nightshade-family shrub from China. People drink it as a tonic. No trial has tested the tea; small studies of berries, a branded juice and extracts found low-certainty effects on eye pigment, blood sugar and blood fats, and trials of the juice may be industry-linked. The main cautions are warfarin, allergy including anaphylaxis, some other medicines, and pesticide residues in dried berries.
What it is
Goji tea is made by steeping the dried berries of Lycium barbarum in hot water. The shrub is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), the same family as tomato and potato. A review says only Lycium barbarum is the official drug, although a close species, Lycium chinense, is also used in folk medicine. The berry and the root bark are separate herbs; the tea described here comes from the berry.
Goji is not the tea plant (Camellia sinensis). A lab survey of 33 teas made from other plants found no caffeine, theobromine or theophylline in any of them, but its abstract does not name goji, so for goji this is indirect. Blends sold as goji tea may add other ingredients, so read the label.
Tea, juice, whole berries and extracts are not the same thing
The human trials used whole dried berries, a branded milk-based formulation, a branded juice, a polysaccharide extract or a fruit extract. None used tea. In a lab test of goji products, juices and an alcohol extract blocked liver drug-clearing enzymes strongly, and water extracts blocked them less. That is lab work and does not show what a cup of tea does in a person.
A pooled analysis found clearer blood-fat effects with whole fruit than with extract. No chemical analysis of goji tea was found, so we cannot say how much of the berry's compounds reach the cup.
What it is used for and what the research found
Three small trials in healthy adults found that goji raised blood zeaxanthin, and two suggested better macular pigment. A branded juice improved self-rated well-being in two short trials and raised some immune lab values in one. Pooled trials found slightly lower fasting glucose and slightly better triglycerides and HDL, but no change in blood pressure or body weight. A 2021 review says the role in retinal disease in people is not established.
Industry link: the juice trials used one commercial juice (GoChi, from FreeLife International), and the abstracts do not state who paid for them. The eye trial with a milk-based formulation also used a proprietary product. We found no trial of vaccine response, no trial in macular degeneration, and no trial of the tea.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- In Chinese tradition the berry (gou qi zi) is used as a tonic, including for the eyes, and is cooked in soups and steeped as a tea.
- Since the early 2000s goji has been sold in Western countries as a juice and as a health food, with marketing that ran ahead of the evidence.
- The root bark (Lycii cortex) is a different traditional herb and is not covered here.
Studied for research
- Goji tea itself: no trial found, insufficient evidence
- Eye health (macular pigment) with berries, low
- Self-rated well-being and tiredness with one branded juice, low
- Blood sugar with berries and extracts, low
- Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL), low
- Immune lab markers with juice, very low
- Antioxidant blood markers with juice, low
- Blood pressure: no change in pooled trials
Main compounds
- Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, the fraction studied most, mostly in lab and animal work
- Zeaxanthin, a yellow carotenoid that collects in the macula of the eye
- Betaine and phenolic compounds, named in reviews
- No caffeine: goji is not the tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
Common forms
- Dried berries steeped in hot water as a tea (the tea itself, not tested in trials)
- Whole dried or fresh berries (used in several trials)
- Goji juice (a branded juice was used in the well-being and immune trials)
- Goji wine and goji tea blends (named in warfarin case reports)
- Polysaccharide and fruit extracts (concentrated; not the same as tea)
Research links: Lycium, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Goji tea and warfarin: case report (2001) · Herbal tea with Lycium barbarum and warfarin: case report (2008) · Wolfberry and cardiovascular risk: meta-analysis of trials (2022) · Goji berry allergy and lipid transfer protein (2012) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Lycium barbarum L.
- Naming authority
- L.; ACCEPTED in the GBIF backbone (key 2928835). Lycium chinense Mill. is also accepted (key 2928809).
- Synonyms
- Not listed; GBIF synonym list was not retrieved.
- Common names
- Goji berry (English); Wolfberry (English); Gou qi zi (Chinese (pinyin)); Goji berry tea (English)
- Family or group
- Solanaceae (the nightshade family, which also includes tomato and potato).
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Solanales > Solanaceae > Lycium > Lycium barbarum
- Native range
- Not verified from a botanical source read; traditional use is in East Asia, especially China.
- Habitat
- Not verified.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: The red berry (Fructus lycii) is the part used; root bark is separate.
- Cultivation
- Ningxia is described as a region of the most valued berries (Rajkowska 2023). Otherwise not verified.
- Harvest and processing
- Berries are sold fresh, dried, as juice, wine, powder and extract; drying method affects quality.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Lycium chinense; Note: A close species also used in folk medicine; Potterat 2010 says only L. barbarum is officinal.; Name: Goji-type berries sold under other names; Note: Not verified; check the species on the label.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not verified.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese medicine | Fruit (Lycii fructus) used for vision, longevity and a remedy for diabetes to balance yin and yang; in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Neelam 2021). Root bark (Lycii cortex) is a separate drug. | p33467087 |
| Recent western popularity | Sold since the early 2000s as a health food and anti-aging product, with marketing that ran ahead of clinical evidence (Potterat 2010). | p19844860 |
| EU food law | A web-search summary says goji was used as food before 15 May 1997 (not novel). NOT verified from the catalogue. | s-eu-novel-food |
| Tea in case reports | Concentrated Chinese herbal tea made from Lycium barbarum fruit (2001) and herbal tea containing Lycium barbarum (2008) appear in warfarin case reports, so the tea has been drunk in Chinese-speaking communities in the US and Hong Kong. This is not a source for traditional use. | p11675844 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) | Proteoglycans / polysaccharides | Fruit | The main studied fraction; antioxidant and other effects mostly in lab and animal work. Products are poorly standardised. 28 18 | Laboratory research |
| Zeaxanthin (as zeaxanthin dipalmitate in the fruit) PubChem 5280899 | Carotenoid | Fruit Dried wolfberry is a source of zeaxanthin (Cheng 2005); the amount per serving is not repeated here | Absorbed and raises plasma zeaxanthin; the macula accumulates it. PubChem CID given is for zeaxanthin itself, not the dipalmitate ester (CID not found). 12 | Controlled trial |
| Betaine PubChem 247 | Quaternary ammonium compound | Not verified | Named as a constituent in Lycium reviews but the sources read here do not give details. 28 | Laboratory research |
| Scopoletin PubChem 5280460 | Coumarin | Not verified | Not described in the abstracts read for this file. | Laboratory research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeaxanthin delivery to the macula | Not applicable | Whole fruit raises plasma zeaxanthin 2.5-fold in people; macular pigment rose in one pilot. The link between blood level and macula change was unclear in another trial. 12 22 10 | Controlled trial |
| Antioxidant enzymes | SOD, glutathione peroxidase | Juice raised SOD and GSH-Px and lowered MDA in healthy adults. 7 | Controlled trial |
| Drug-metabolising enzymes | CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4/5/7, FMO3 | Juice and ethanol extracts blocked these enzymes in test tubes; water extracts blocked less than 30%. Lab only. 23 | Laboratory research |
| Immune and gut microbes | Not applicable | Juice raised lymphocytes, IL-2 and IgG in a human trial; polysaccharide effects on immune cells were seen in lab work. 6 | Controlled trial |
| Warfarin clearance (CYP2C9) | CYP2C9 | In one lab test a goji tea weakly blocked the enzyme that clears one form of warfarin; the case authors say this may not explain the raised INR. 19 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Zeaxanthin from whole wolfberry is bioavailable: plasma level rose 2.5-fold after 28 days of daily dried wolfberry.
- Distribution
- Not covered in the abstracts read.
- Metabolism
- Lab data suggest goji products inhibit phase I enzymes; human relevance unknown.
- Elimination
- Not covered.
- Bioavailability
- Zeaxanthin is absorbed from whole berries (Cheng 2005).
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Whole dried fruit, a branded milk formulation, a branded juice, a polysaccharide extract and a Lycium chinense fruit extract have each been studied separately and cannot be swapped. Pooled analyses suggest whole fruit gave clearer blood-fat effects than extract. Tea has not been studied in trials.
Nutritional composition
Goji berries are a fruit eaten dried or fresh; they contain carotenoids such as zeaxanthin. A lab survey found no caffeine, theobromine or theophylline in 33 teas that are not made from Camellia, but goji is not named in the abstract, so goji tea is assumed caffeine-free only indirectly: goji is not the tea plant.
6 low certainty3 very low certainty1 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 10 benefits and uses checked for Goji Berry Tea, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Goji berry tea itself (no human trial found)Not enough evidence
- Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changesLow certainty
- Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated)Low certainty
- Immune markers and vaccine responseVery low certainty
- Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markersLow certainty
- Blood sugarLow certainty
- Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL)Low certainty
- Blood pressure and blood vesselsLow certainty
- Weight, waist and energy useVery low certainty
- Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract)Very low certainty
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Plasma zeaxanthinMacular pigment optical density (MPOD)Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgGMalondialdehyde (MDA)Fasting blood glucoseTriglyceridesHDL cholesterolLDL and total cholesterolALT and GGTWaist circumference
What is Goji Berry Tea good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. "Low" is the best rating found for any benefit. Every trial used berries, a juice or an extract, not tea, so each row names the form. Goji tea is not a replacement for medicine.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Goji berry tea itself (no human trial found)
Not enough evidenceWe found no human trial of goji berry tea. Everything below comes from trials of the berries, a juice or an extract. A cup of tea may not carry the same compounds, so those results cannot be assumed for tea.
3 studiesNot applicable. No tea trial.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial of goji tea was found in our search. The 2022 meta-analysis of 10 trials looked at whole wolfberry and wolfberry extract and found clearer effects with whole fruit than with extract. The only human reports we found that involve goji tea are case reports about warfarin (see the safety tab).
Results
No trial of tea. Nothing can be said about benefit.
Why this rating
No trial of the tea exists in the sources read.
Limits
Results for berries, juice and extracts cannot be assumed for tea.
Why researchers looked
Goji tea is a common way to drink the berries, so it is fair to ask whether it was tested.
Traditional use
Dried berries are used in Chinese cooking, soups and teas; Memorial Sloan Kettering and Rivera 2012 mention tea but give no method.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
In a lab test, water-based extracts of goji blocked liver drug-clearing enzymes less than juices or alcohol extracts did. This is lab work and tells us nothing about benefit.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The tea has been linked in case reports to a raised INR in people on warfarin.
Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes
Low certaintyThree small trials show that eating goji raises zeaxanthin in the blood, and two suggest signs of better macular pigment. No trial has shown less age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or better vision.
4 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Cheng 2005: 14 healthy adults ate a fixed daily amount of dried wolfberry for 28 days and plasma zeaxanthin rose 2.5-fold (0.038 to 0.096 micromol/L); 13 controls did not change. Bucheli 2011 (150 healthy people aged 65 to 70, placebo-controlled): a branded milk-based goji formulation (for 90 days) kept the macula stable while the placebo group showed more hypopigmentation and soft drusen; plasma zeaxanthin rose 26%. Li 2021 (27 healthy adults aged 45 to 65, unmasked, no placebo): dried goji on most days for 90 days raised macular pigment density at two retinal positions (p=0.029, 0.044) while a lutein/zeaxanthin capsule did not. A 2021 review says the role of the fruit in managing retinal disease in people is not yet established.
Results
Higher zeaxanthin in blood; macular pigment up in one small pilot; stable macula versus placebo in one branded-product trial.
Effect sizes as reported
Plasma zeaxanthin +26% (Bucheli) and 2.5-fold (Cheng); macular pigment p=0.029 and 0.044 (Li); no numbers for the macular findings in the Bucheli abstract.
Why this rating
Three small trials in healthy people, one with a branded product, one without placebo. They measure markers of risk, not AMD, and the Bucheli authors say the link between zeaxanthin and macula change is unclear.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Healthy adults aged 45 to 70. No AMD patients were studied in these trials.
Limits
No trial in people with AMD; no vision outcome; the Bucheli product was proprietary and funding was not stated (possible industry link, not verified).
Why researchers looked
Goji fruit is unusually rich in zeaxanthin, a yellow pigment that collects in the macula, the centre of the retina. Low macular pigment is a risk marker for AMD.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here. Chinese texts describe it as good for the eyes.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Zeaxanthin from the fruit is absorbed and may add to the pigment that filters blue light. A review says the benefit in retinal disease rests mainly on animal studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No product-related adverse events in the Bucheli trial. See the safety file for allergy and drug interactions.
Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated)
Low certaintyTwo short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only.
2 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Amagase 2008: 34 healthy adults drank a fixed daily amount of GoChi juice (16) or placebo (18) for 14 days. The juice group rated energy, athletic performance, sleep quality, ease of waking, focus, mental acuity, calmness, health, contentment and happiness higher, and fatigue and stress lower, compared with their own day-1 ratings; the placebo group changed on two items. Body weight, blood pressure and other measures did not differ. Amagase 2009 (60 older adults, 30 days): well-being scores for fatigue and sleep improved with the juice, and short-term memory and focus showed a tendency to improve; no adverse reactions were reported.
Results
Better self-rated wellbeing and lower fatigue with the juice; no objective outcome changed.
Effect sizes as reported
Questionnaire ratings; numbers are not given in the abstracts.
Why this rating
Two small trials of the same branded juice from the same research group. Self-rated scores are easily influenced by expectation, and both trials were short.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Healthy adults, one group Chinese adults aged 55 to 72.
Limits
Industry-linked risk: commercial juice from FreeLife International; funding and author ties not stated in the abstracts. No trial of dried fruit or tea for fatigue was found. No trial in people with a fatigue disorder.
Why researchers looked
Goji is traditionally taken as a tonic. The juice was tested for general feelings of health.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
No clear mechanism; the authors discuss antioxidant and polysaccharide effects but the trials did not test them.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No adverse reactions reported. Juice can interact with warfarin (see safety).
Immune markers and vaccine response
Very low certaintyOne 30-day trial of branded goji juice in older adults raised some immune lab values. A trial of vaccine response was searched for and not found, so nothing is known about whether goji helps people respond to vaccines or catch fewer infections.
2 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Amagase 2009 (60 healthy adults aged 55 to 72, GoChi juice vs placebo for 30 days): lymphocyte count, interleukin-2 and IgG rose versus before and versus placebo; CD4, CD8, natural killer cells, interleukin-4 and IgA did not change. Memorial Sloan Kettering says human immune evidence is lacking. A PubMed search for goji with vaccine response found no human vaccine trial among the results checked.
Results
Some immune lab values higher; no infection, illness or vaccine outcome.
Effect sizes as reported
Direction only; numbers not given in the abstract.
Why this rating
One small trial of a branded juice in healthy people; lab values only. No vaccine-response or infection data in the sources read.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Healthy older adults in China.
Limits
No infection outcomes; no vaccine trial found; industry-linked juice trial.
Why researchers looked
Lycium polysaccharides influence immune cells in the lab, and goji is traditionally a tonic.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Polysaccharides may act on immune cells and gut bacteria in lab and animal work; a review of lab studies says goji polysaccharide is prebiotic and immune-stimulating.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Immune stimulation could matter for people on immune-suppressing drugs; not studied.
Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers
Low certaintyIn a 30-day juice trial and a pooled analysis, markers of oxidative stress moved in the helpful direction. These are lab markers, not health outcomes.
2 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Amagase 2009 Nutr Res (50 healthy adults, 30 days, GoChi vs placebo): SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0% and malondialdehyde -6.0% versus placebo. Toh 2022 meta-analysis of 10 trials: malondialdehyde lower (Hedges g -1.45, 95% CI -2.75 to -0.16).
Results
Oxidative-stress markers improved.
Effect sizes as reported
SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0% (juice); MDA Hedges g -1.45 (pooled).
Why this rating
Marker changes in small trials; the pooled estimate is wide and mixes forms.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Healthy adults and mixed populations.
Limits
Biomarker change is not clinical benefit; juice trial is industry-linked.
Why researchers looked
The fruit contains polysaccharides, carotenoids and polyphenols that act as antioxidants in test tubes.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px) rose, which the authors suggest comes from the body's own defences.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None noted in the abstracts.
Blood sugar
Low certaintyPooled trials suggest slightly lower fasting glucose, and one small diabetes trial of an extract found lower blood sugar after a test meal. Evidence is limited, and goji does not replace diabetes treatment.
4 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Guo 2017 meta-analysis (7 RCTs, 548 people): fasting glucose lower by 0.36 mmol/L (95% CI -0.62 to -0.10). Zhou 2022 meta-analysis of LBP (7 articles): fasting glucose changed significantly (p<0.05; size not in the abstract). Cai 2015 (67 adults with type 2 diabetes, LBP for 3 months): glucose after a test meal significantly lower and insulin index higher; the effect looked stronger in people who were not on diabetes drugs. Memorial Sloan Kettering says human data are limited.
Results
Small drop in fasting glucose in pooled trials; one small diabetes trial positive.
Effect sizes as reported
Fasting glucose -0.36 mmol/L (CI -0.62 to -0.10).
Why this rating
Small, inconsistent trials with mixed forms; the diabetes trial was short and small.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Healthy adults and adults with type 2 diabetes.
Limits
Extract is not the same as the fruit; abstracts lack effect sizes for the LBP review.
Why researchers looked
Goji is a traditional remedy for symptoms of frequent thirst and urination. Lab work suggests the polysaccharides act on sugar handling.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Polysaccharides may improve insulin response in lab and animal work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Possible added effect with diabetes drugs (hypoglycaemia) is a theory from lowered glucose; no case reports were found.
Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL)
Low certaintyA pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change.
5 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Toh 2022 (10 RCTs): triglycerides -0.14 mmol/L (CI -0.19 to -0.09) and HDL +0.06 mmol/L (CI 0.02 to 0.09), clearer for whole fruit than extract; no change in other lipids or blood pressure. Zeng 2023 (5 RCTs, 259 people): triglycerides and HDL improved, total cholesterol and LDL not significant; the authors urge caution after sensitivity analyses. Guo 2017 (7 RCTs): cholesterol and triglyceride changes not significant. Zhou 2022 (LBP): LDL and HDL changed significantly. Toh 2021 (40 adults, dried wolfberry with diet counselling for 16 weeks): HDL +0.08 mmol/L, predicted heart risk -0.8%.
Results
Small gains in triglycerides and HDL; LDL results disagree across reviews.
Effect sizes as reported
TG -0.14 mmol/L; HDL +0.06 mmol/L (pooled).
Why this rating
Reviews disagree on some lipids and rely on small trials; changes are small and are lab markers.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Mostly adults without disease.
Limits
No heart-event outcomes; the 2023 abstract prints confusing signs, so only the direction is used.
Why researchers looked
Goji is eaten as part of heart-healthy diets in Asia, and LBP lowers fats in animals.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not established in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None noted.
Blood pressure and blood vessels
Low certaintyBlood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome.
4 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Toh 2022: no change in blood pressure across 10 RCTs. Guo 2017: no benefit for blood pressure. Toh 2021 (40 adults, 16 weeks): HDL higher, predicted risk and vascular age lower than control; no difference in the other vascular measures. Potterat 2010 says the blood-pressure interest relates to root-bark compounds.
Results
No blood pressure change; mixed vascular markers.
Effect sizes as reported
No change in blood pressure.
Why this rating
Consistent null for blood pressure across two meta-analyses (fruit).
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Adults.
Limits
Root bark results must not be applied to the fruit.
Why researchers looked
Root bark of Lycium is traditionally used for high blood pressure, but that is a different herb from the fruit.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
None shown for the fruit.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No hypotension signal in the trials; no case reports found.
Weight, waist and energy use
Very low certaintyPilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight.
2 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Amagase 2011: two small randomized, placebo-controlled studies of GoChi juice in overweight adults. One dose raised post-meal energy use about 10% at 1 hour versus placebo; the juice for 14 days cut waist circumference by 5.5 cm (n=15) versus 0.9 cm in placebo (n=14). Guo 2017 pooled: no benefit for body weight.
Results
Waist smaller in a tiny juice trial; no weight change in pooled trials.
Effect sizes as reported
Waist -5.5 cm vs -0.9 cm.
Why this rating
Two tiny pilot studies, 14 days, from the juice maker's research group; conflicts with the pooled null on weight.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Overweight healthy adults.
Limits
Industry-linked juice trial; not repeated.
Why researchers looked
Rodent studies suggested goji raises metabolic rate.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
None noted.
Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract)
Very low certaintyOne 12-week trial of a Lycium chinense fruit extract found slightly lower liver enzymes in people with mildly raised ALT. It is a different species and an extract, so it does not show that goji berries protect the liver.
3 studiesTrials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formul…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Oh 2023: 90 adults aged 19 to 70 with raised ALT took L. chinense fruit extract or placebo for 12 weeks. ALT (P=0.0498) and GGT (P=0.0368) fell versus placebo; no clinically significant safety changes. Memorial Sloan Kettering says liver benefits are preclinical and human evidence is not established. The LBP review calls liver disease a promising area but notes most evidence is animal.
Results
Small drops in ALT and GGT with one extract.
Effect sizes as reported
P=0.0498 for ALT; P=0.0368 for GGT.
Why this rating
One trial with borderline P values, an extract of another species.
Form and dose studied
Trials used whole dried berries, a branded juice, a milk-based formulation or extracts, not tea. Amounts are not repeated here.
Who was studied
Adults with mildly raised ALT.
Limits
Do not apply to L. barbarum berries or to root bark.
Why researchers looked
Animal and lab studies suggest protective effects on the liver.
Traditional use
Goji (gou qi zi, Lycii fructus) is the ripe fruit of Lycium barbarum, used for centuries in Chinese cooking and traditional medicine, including as a vision aid. The root bark (Lycii cortex, di gu pi) is a separate traditional herb and is not covered here.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Antioxidant and anti-fibrosis effects in animals.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety signal in the trial.
Connections to the rest of health
How Goji Berry Tea connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Aging | Not enough evidence | Goji berry tea itself (no human trial found): We found no human trial of goji berry tea. Everything below comes from trials of the berries, a juice or an extract. A cup of tea may not carry the same compounds, so those results cannot be assumed for tea. | 33 23 1 | |
| Healthy Aging | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes: Three small trials show that eating goji raises zeaxanthin in the blood, and two suggest signs of better macular pigment. No trial has shown less age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or better vision. Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers: In a 30-day juice trial and a pooled analysis, markers of oxidative stress moved in the helpful direction. These are lab markers, not health outcomes. | 12 10 22 25 7 33 |
| Reduce Fatigue | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only. | 5 6 |
| Better Sleep | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only. | 5 6 |
| Stress Reduction | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated): Two short trials of one branded goji juice found people rated their energy, sleep and calm higher and fatigue lower. The trials were small and the product was commercial, so treat the result as a hint only. | 5 6 |
| Immune Support | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Immune markers and vaccine response: One 30-day trial of branded goji juice in older adults raised some immune lab values. A trial of vaccine response was searched for and not found, so nothing is known about whether goji helps people respond to vaccines or catch fewer infections. | 6 1 |
| Blood Sugar Balance | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Blood sugar: Pooled trials suggest slightly lower fasting glucose, and one small diabetes trial of an extract found lower blood sugar after a test meal. Evidence is limited, and goji does not replace diabetes treatment. | 17 37 11 1 |
| Cholesterol Balance | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL): A pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change. | 33 35 17 37 32 |
| Heart Health | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Blood fats (triglycerides and HDL): A pooled analysis of 10 trials found triglycerides a little lower and HDL a little higher, mostly with the whole fruit. Total cholesterol and LDL did not clearly change. | 33 35 17 37 32 |
| Blood Pressure Support | Low certainty | Blood pressure and blood vessels: Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome. | 33 17 32 28 | |
| Heart Health | Low certainty | Blood pressure and blood vessels: Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials. One small trial found a lower predicted heart risk, which is a calculation rather than a measured outcome. | 33 17 32 28 | |
| Weight Management | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Weight, waist and energy use: Pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight. | 8 17 |
| Metabolic Health | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Weight, waist and energy use: Pilot trials of one branded juice reported higher energy use after a meal and a smaller waist. Pooled trials of various goji forms found no change in body weight. | 8 17 |
| Liver Support | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract): One 12-week trial of a Lycium chinense fruit extract found slightly lower liver enzymes in people with mildly raised ALT. It is a different species and an extract, so it does not show that goji berries protect the liver. | 26 18 1 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular system | Drug or supplement interaction | Low certainty | Case reports of raised INR with bleeding. Preparation or compound: Goji juice, tea or wine with warfarin |
19 21 30 36 |
| Immune system | Adverse effect or risk | Low certainty | Allergy including anaphylaxis, linked to lipid transfer protein. Preparation or compound: Goji berry |
24 20 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Goji berry tea itself (no human trial found) Studied for: Antioxidant and oxidative-stress blood markers | 33 23 1 7 35 17 37 32 28 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Eye health: macular pigment and early macular changes Studied for: Well-being, energy, sleep and fatigue (self-rated) | 12 10 22 25 5 6 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Immune markers and vaccine response | 6 1 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Blood sugar | 17 37 11 1 |
| Metabolism Weight | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Weight, waist and energy use | 8 17 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Liver enzymes (Lycium chinense fruit extract) | 26 18 1 |
C. Body parts and organs
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasma zeaxanthin | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 10 |
| Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 22 |
| Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 6 |
| Malondialdehyde (MDA) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 33 |
| Fasting blood glucose | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 17 |
| Triglycerides | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 33 35 |
| HDL cholesterol | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 33 32 |
| LDL and total cholesterol | Biological association | Mixed findings | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 35 37 |
| ALT and GGT | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 26 |
| Waist circumference | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CYP2C9 / CYP2C19 / CYP3A4 | Preliminary mechanism | In vitro | Inhibited by goji juice and ethanol extract in test tubes. | 23 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carotenoid delivery to the macula (zeaxanthin) | Preliminary mechanism | Rct | Plasma zeaxanthin rises with goji intake. | 12 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) | Biological association | In vitro | The main studied fraction; antioxidant and other effects mostly in lab and animal work. Products are poorly standardised. Preparation or compound: Fruit |
28 18 |
| Zeaxanthin (as zeaxanthin dipalmitate in the fruit) | Biological association | Rct | Absorbed and raises plasma zeaxanthin; the macula accumulates it. PubChem CID given is for zeaxanthin itself, not the dipalmitate ester (CID not found). Preparation or compound: Fruit |
12 |
| Betaine | Biological association | In vitro | Named as a constituent in Lycium reviews but the sources read here do not give details. Preparation or compound: Not verified |
28 |
| Scopoletin | Biological association | In vitro | Not described in the abstracts read for this file. Preparation or compound: Not verified |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 10 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Goji Berry Tea. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We built this page from our goji herb profile and checked every PubMed record used against PubMed on 2026-10-25, then searched for tea-specific studies. We found two warfarin case reports involving tea and no trial of the tea. Memorial Sloan Kettering's goji page was read in full. NCCIH, EFSA, EMA, LiverTox and LactMed entries were not found; the EU Novel Food Catalogue entry was not opened. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading, not formal grades, unless a review's own conclusion is quoted.
Study library: every study we checked 37
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lycium (About Herbs), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
unspecified amount not repeated here |
Page last updated 10 December 2021, read 2026-10-25. Lists warfarin and other anticoagulants and lipid transfer protein food allergy under 'do not take if'; reports a few cases of raised INR and one bleeding case with goji wine; says lycium may affect drugs cleared by CYP3A4, 2C9 and 2C19 (lab extracts blocked 2C9 and 2C19, clinical relevance to be determined); human data on blood sugar are limited; preclinical liver and immune findings; safety and efficacy for chronic disease not established. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, photosensitivity, sulfites and contamination are not mentioned. Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | |
| 2026 NCCIH goji page (checked, not found) · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
unspecified amount not repeated here |
The address returned HTTP 404 on 2026-10-25. No NCCIH goji page was found. Methods, limits and fundingRead: not-found | |
| 2026 EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for goji berry (search snippet only) · Source |
Authoritative guidance |
unspecified amount not repeated here |
A web-search summary says the Commission's catalogue lists Lycium barbarum goji berry as used to a significant degree before 15 May 1997 and so not novel. The catalogue entry itself was NOT opened, so this is NOT verified. The catalogue says it is indicative only. No EFSA opinion and no EMA/HMPC monograph on Lycii fructus were found. Methods, limits and fundingRead: summary-only | |
| 2026 GBIF species match: Lycium barbarum L. (key 2928835) and Lycium chinense Mill. (key 2928809) · Source |
Database record |
unspecified amount not repeated here |
Both ACCEPTED, EXACT match, family Solanaceae, order Solanales (GBIF API, 2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | |
| Amagase 2008 A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi J Altern Complement Med · PMID 18447631 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
34 Healthy adults (16 juice, 18 placebo) |
GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) amount not repeated here 14 days · vs placebo drink |
Juice group rated energy, sleep, focus, calmness, health and happiness higher and fatigue and stress lower versus their own day-1 scores; placebo changed in only two items. Body weight, blood pressure and other measured values did not differ. Questionnaire ratings (0 to 5); numbers not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Self-rated well-being, energy, sleep, focus, fatigue, stress; body weight, blood pressure, pulse, visual acuity Limitations: Very small; self-rated scores; 14 days; within-group comparison highlighted; commercial product. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| Amagase 2009 Immunomodulatory effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum fruit juice in Chinese older healthy human subjects J Med Food · PMID 19857084 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
60 Healthy adults aged 55 to 72 in China |
GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) amount not repeated here 30 days · vs placebo |
Lymphocyte count, interleukin-2 and IgG rose versus pre-treatment and placebo; CD4, CD8, natural killer cells, IL-4 and IgA did not change. Fatigue and sleep ratings improved. No adverse reactions. Direction only; numbers not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Immune cells and signals, well-being Limitations: Healthy people; lab immune markers, not infections or vaccine response; 30 days. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| Amagase 2009 Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults Nutr Res · PMID 19185773 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
50 Healthy Chinese adults aged 55 to 72 |
GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) amount not repeated here 30 days · vs placebo |
Versus placebo after 30 days: SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0%. SOD +8.1%, GSH-Px +9.0%, MDA -6.0% versus placebo (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde Limitations: Blood markers only; commercial product. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| Amagase 2011 Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: pilot study J Am Coll Nutr · PMID 22081616 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
29 Overweight healthy adults (two small studies) |
GoChi goji juice fruit (juice) amount not repeated here single dose; 14 days · vs placebo |
One dose raised post-meal energy use about 10% at 1 hour versus placebo. Waist fell 5.5 cm (n=15) over 14 days versus 0.9 cm in placebo (n=14). Waist -5.5 cm vs -0.9 cm (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Energy use after a meal; waist circumference Limitations: Pilot, tiny, 14 days; weight change not reported in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Branded commercial juice (GoChi, FreeLife International); the abstract does not state who paid for the trial or whether the authors work for the company. Treat as possibly industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| Bi 2016 Investigation of free amino acid, total phenolics, antioxidant activity and purine alkaloids to assess the health properties of non-Camellia tea. Acta Pharm Sin B · PMID 27006902 · DOI |
Other |
33 non-Camellia folk teas compared with green, pu-erh and black tea | Non-Camellia teas various · vs Camellia teas |
Caffeine, theobromine and theophylline were not detected in the non-Camellia teas. The abstract does not name goji, so this supports 'caffeine-free' only indirectly. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Amino acids, polyphenols, antioxidant activity and purine alkaloids Limitations: Goji is not named in the abstract; lab survey. Funding and conflicts: One author is affiliated with a company (PhytoMedix); no conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Bucheli 2011 Goji berry effects on macular characteristics and plasma antioxidant levels Optom Vis Sci · PMID 21169874 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
150 Healthy adults aged 65 to 70 |
Lacto-Wolfberry, a proprietary milk-based goji formulation fruit amount not repeated here 90 days · vs placebo |
Placebo group showed macular hypopigmentation and soft drusen build-up; the goji group stayed stable. Plasma zeaxanthin rose 26% and antioxidant capacity 57% with goji only. No product-related adverse events. Change in zeaxanthin did not match change in macula. Zeaxanthin +26%; antioxidant capacity +57%; macular findings not given as numbers in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Macular pigmentation, soft drusen count, plasma zeaxanthin, antioxidant capacity Limitations: Healthy, not AMD patients; branded milk formulation; mechanism unclear. Funding and conflicts: Proprietary formulation; funding not stated in the abstract. Possible industry link, not verified. Read: abstract |
| Cai 2015 Practical Application of Antidiabetic Efficacy of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Med Chem · PMID 25381995 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
67 Adults with type 2 diabetes (37 LBP, 30 control) |
Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) extract fruit polysaccharide extract amount not repeated here 3 months · vs control |
Serum glucose was significantly lower and the insulinogenic index and HDL higher with LBP; the effect looked stronger in people not taking diabetes medicines. Direction only in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Glucose after a mixed meal test, insulin index, HDL Limitations: Small, short; extract not the whole fruit; abstract has no numbers. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Cheng 2005 Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial Br J Nutr · PMID 15705234 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
27 Healthy adults: 14 took wolfberry, 13 controls |
Whole dried wolfberries fruit amount not repeated here 28 days · vs no wolfberry |
Plasma zeaxanthin rose 2.5-fold (0.038 to 0.096 micromol/L, P<0.01); controls unchanged. 2.5-fold rise in plasma zeaxanthin (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Fasting plasma zeaxanthin Limitations: Single-blinded, small, controls took nothing; measures blood level not eyes. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Ding 2023 Achieving High Efficacy and Low Safety Risk by Balancing Pesticide Deposition on Leaves and Fruits of Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.) ACS Omega · PMID 37125088 · DOI |
Other plant |
Field and lab study of spray retention | Chinese wolfberry plants fruit and leaf amount not repeated here |
The authors state pesticide residue is the main technical barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry. The study is about spray technique, not residue levels in shop products. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pesticide retention on leaves vs fruit Limitations: Does not test retail products. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing financial interest. Read: abstract |
| Ding 2026 Classification and quantification of sodium metabisulfite in goji berry powder: Applications of hyperspectral technology and transformer-based hybrid models. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc · PMID 41442910 · DOI |
Other |
360 360 laboratory-prepared goji powder samples |
Goji berry powder with added sodium metabisulfite fruit |
The authors state that sodium metabisulfite is widely used as a preservative, that excessive residues pose health risks and are strictly regulated, and that for goji berry powder 'sulfite addition is common during processing'. The study tests an imaging method on prepared samples; it does not measure products sold. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Detecting sulfite in powder Limitations: Lab-prepared samples; no market survey. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Ge 2026 A highly specific fluorescent probe with facile pretreatment for rapid and accurate detection of sulfur dioxide residues in wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.). Front Pharmacol · PMID 41800089 · DOI |
Other |
Lab method paper | Wolfberry fruit |
The authors write that sulfur fumigation is a traditional way to dry, protect from pests and prevent mildew in traditional Chinese medicine, and that excessive fumigation harms safety, so sulfur dioxide residues are a growing concern. The paper is about a test method; it does not report how much is in products sold. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Detecting sulfur dioxide residues Limitations: A lab method paper, no market survey in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no commercial or financial relationships. Read: abstract |
| Gomez-Bernal 2011 Systemic photosensitivity due to Goji berries Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed · PMID 21950628 · DOI |
Case report |
1 53-year-old man |
Goji berries (and cat's claw tea, which was cleared) fruit amount not repeated here 5 months of use before the rash |
Itchy rash on sun-exposed skin; the dose of UVB needed to redden skin was lower while taking goji and normal after stopping; goji re-challenge lowered it again, cat's claw did not. The authors call it the first case. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: UVB sensitivity Limitations: One case. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Guo 2017 The effects of Lycium barbarum L. on cardiometabolic risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Food Funct · PMID 28401234 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
548 7 RCTs |
Lycium barbarum supplementation (forms vary) fruit/unspecified amount not repeated here varied · vs control |
Fasting glucose lower; cholesterol and triglyceride changes not statistically significant; no benefit for body weight or blood pressure. Fasting glucose -0.36 mmol/L (-0.62 to -0.10 mmol/L) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, weight, blood pressure Limitations: Inconsistent trials; forms and doses differ. The authors call the evidence 'some evidence'. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Kwok 2019 A Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease Biomed Res Int · PMID 30891458 · DOI |
Systematic review |
20 papers: 2 RCTs, 11 animal, 5 cell, 1 mixed, 1 chemistry | Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) fruit polysaccharide extract amount not repeated here varied · vs varied |
Mostly animal and lab work; only 2 RCTs. Authors say LBP is promising but large human trials are needed and quality control of LBP is lacking. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Many diseases Limitations: Selected 20 of 207 papers; narrative review. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Lam 2001 Possible interaction between warfarin and Lycium barbarum L. Ann Pharmacother · PMID 11675844 · DOI |
Case report |
1 61-year-old woman stabilised on warfarin |
Concentrated Chinese herbal tea made from Lycium barbarum fruits fruit amount not repeated here 4 days |
INR 4.1 (usual range 2 to 3) after four days of drinking the concentrated tea. After she stopped the tea and warfarin was adjusted, INR was 2.4 seven days later. In the lab the tea weakly blocked CYP2C9, which the authors say may not explain the case. They conclude the combination should be avoided. INR 4.1 in a person usually at 2 to 3 (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: INR; lab test on the tea and CYP2C9 Limitations: A single case; cause cannot be proven. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Larramendi 2012 Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): risk of allergic reactions in individuals with food allergy J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 23101309 |
Case series |
31 Plant-food-allergic people in Spain |
Goji berry skin tests fruit amount not repeated here |
Goji skin tests were positive in 24 of 31 people (77%) who were plant-food-allergic; positivity went with peach peel and the panallergen LTP. 45% reported symptoms, but 89% of skin-test-positive people had never eaten goji. The authors say goji is a risk for people with food allergy, especially LTP allergy. 24 of 31 skin-test positive (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin prick test and IgE Limitations: Selected allergic people, so does not give rates in the general public. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Leung 2008 Warfarin overdose due to the possible effects of Lycium barbarum L. Food Chem Toxicol · PMID 18281140 · DOI |
Case report |
1 80-year-old woman on a chronic stable warfarin dose |
Herbal tea containing Lycium barbarum fruit amount not repeated here two episodes |
Two episodes of a raised INR after drinking herbal tea containing Lycium barbarum, in keeping with an earlier case report. The authors say asking about herbal intake may be important when managing anticoagulation. Raised INR, number not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: INR Limitations: A single case; the tea contained Lycium barbarum, and other ingredients are not described in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Li 2021 Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial Nutrients · PMID 34959963 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
27 Healthy adults aged 45 to 65 |
Whole dried goji berries; comparison arm a lutein and zeaxanthin capsule fruit amount not repeated here 90 days · vs lutein/zeaxanthin supplement (open-label, no placebo) |
MPOD rose in the goji group at two retinal positions (p=0.029 and 0.044) but not in the supplement group; skin carotenoids also rose with goji. MPOD higher at 0.25 and 1.75 degree eccentricity (p=0.029, p=0.044) (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), skin carotenoids Limitations: Pilot, unmasked, 27 people; MPOD is a risk marker, not vision or AMD. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract |
| Liu 2016 In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes J Complement Integr Med · PMID 27352447 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Lab enzyme assays | Goji juice (fresh and commercial), water and 80% ethanol extracts of the fruit fruit amount not repeated here |
Juices strongly blocked (over 75%) most major CYP enzymes; water extracts blocked under 30%; ethanol extract blocked CYP2C9 and 2C19 over 90%. The authors say goji products could affect drug safety and effect. Lab data only. Inhibition percentages as listed (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: CYP2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 3A4/5/7, 4A11, 19 and FMO3 activity Limitations: No people involved; clinical relevance unknown. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Monzon Ballarin 2011 Anaphylaxis associated with the ingestion of Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 22312943 |
Case report |
2 Two patients |
Goji berries fruit amount not repeated here |
Two allergic reactions, one anaphylaxis. Positive skin tests and IgE; a 9 kDa band probably LTP; tomato extract blocked it, showing cross-reaction with another nightshade food (goji is in the Solanaceae family). Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Allergic reaction Limitations: Two cases. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Neelam 2021 Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases Nutrients · PMID 33467087 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Narrative review | Fructus lycii (Lycium barbarum fruit) fruit amount not repeated here |
Robust benefits come mainly from animal models; the role in managing retinal disease in people is not yet established. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Retinal disease (AMD, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa) Limitations: Narrative review. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract |
| Oh 2023 Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract lowers liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial Eur J Nutr · PMID 36629892 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
90 Adults aged 19 to 70 with raised ALT |
Lycium chinense fruit extract capsules (a different species from L. barbarum) fruit extract amount not repeated here 12 weeks · vs placebo |
ALT (P=0.0498) and GGT (P=0.0368) fell versus placebo; no clinically significant safety changes. P values only in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: ALT, GGT, safety Limitations: Borderline significance; one trial; L. chinense extract only. Funding and conflicts: Registered KCT0003985; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pan 2024 Occurrence, dissipation and processing factors of multi-pesticides in goji berry. J Hazard Mater · PMID 38788586 · DOI |
Other |
75 75 dried goji berry samples from markets across China |
Dried goji berries fruit |
Across 62 analytes tested, 28 pesticides were found in the market samples. Washing lowered residues by 17.00% to 74.05%. Sun drying concentrated residues more than oven drying. The authors report chronic dietary risk indices of 1.61% to 4.97%, and acute risk quotients of 543.32% to 585.92%, mainly from insecticides. An erratum to this paper was published in December 2024; its content is not described in the abstract. 28 pesticides found in 75 market samples (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pesticide residues, effect of washing, juicing and drying Limitations: Chinese market samples; not a measure of what a cup of tea contains; an erratum exists and we did not read it. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Potterat 2010 Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): Phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity Planta Med · PMID 19844860 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Narrative review | Goji fruit and root bark (reviewed separately) fruit and root bark amount not repeated here |
Says only L. barbarum is officinal; fruit (Lycii fructus) and root bark (Lycii cortex) are different drugs. No signs of toxicity but two warfarin cases point to a drug-interaction risk. Clinical evidence and quality control are needed before any recommendation. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Constituents, pharmacology, safety Limitations: 2010 review, older than most trials. Called a review; not a systematic search. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Rajkowska 2023 Microbial Diversity and Bioactive Compounds in Dried Lycium barbarum Fruits (Goji): A Comparative Study Molecules · PMID 37241797 · DOI |
Other plant |
Dried goji sold in Poland compared with Ningxia (China) fruit | Dried goji fruit fruit amount not repeated here |
Highest microbial contamination (over 10^6 CFU/g) was in goji sold in Poland; naturally dried Ningxia fruit had the best quality. Origin and drying method changed composition. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Microbes, polyphenols, carotenoids Limitations: Few samples; microbes, not harmful species named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared. Read: abstract |
| Rivera 2012 Probable interaction between Lycium barbarum (goji) and warfarin Pharmacotherapy · PMID 22392461 · DOI |
Case report |
1 71-year-old woman on warfarin |
Goji juice fruit (juice) amount not repeated here 4 days before admission |
Hospitalised with INR above range (prothrombin time over 120 s), nosebleed, bruising and rectal bleeding after 4 days of goji juice; treated with vitamin K; INR 2.6 two days later. Naranjo score 6 (probable). Authors cite two other reports with L. barbarum tea. Naranjo 6 (probable) (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: INR and bleeding Limitations: Single case; cause cannot be proven. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable. Read: abstract |
| Tan 2021 Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review Br J Clin Pharmacol · PMID 32478963 · DOI |
Systematic review |
149 articles on 78 foods, herbs or supplements | Includes Chinese wolfberry fruit amount not repeated here varied · vs varied |
Names Chinese wolfberry among items that increase bleeding risk with warfarin; patients should check with their clinicians when starting any new herb. Wolfberry listed among potentiators (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Warfarin potentiation or inhibition Limitations: Abstract does not detail the wolfberry evidence (case reports). Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Toh 2021 Enhancing the cardiovascular protective effects of a healthy dietary pattern with wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A randomized controlled trial Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 33964853 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
40 Middle-aged and older adults in Singapore |
Whole dried wolfberry cooked with meals, plus healthy-diet counselling fruit amount not repeated here 16 weeks · vs diet counselling only |
HDL higher by 0.08 mmol/L, Framingham predicted risk lower by 0.8% and vascular age lower by 1.9 years versus control; no difference in other vascular outcomes. HDL +0.08 mmol/L; predicted CVD risk -0.8% (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Vascular function and structure, lipids, blood pressure Limitations: Only 40 people; no placebo (counselling control); predicted risk is a calculation. Funding and conflicts: Registered NCT03535844; funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Toh 2022 Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Eur J Nutr · PMID 34839399 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
10 RCTs chosen from 785 articles | Whole dried wolfberry or wolfberry extract fruit amount not repeated here varied · vs control groups |
Triglycerides lower and HDL higher; malondialdehyde lower; no change in other lipids or blood pressure. Whole fruit showed clearer effects than extract. Triglycerides -0.14 mmol/L; HDL +0.06 mmol/L (pooled) (TG -0.19 to -0.09; HDL 0.02 to 0.09 mmol/L) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood lipids, blood pressure, oxidative stress, inflammation Limitations: Small trials of mixed forms; lab markers, not heart attacks. Abstract does not give the reviewers' GRADE. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Uasuf 2020 Emerging Allergens in Goji Berry Superfruit: The Identification of New IgE Binding Proteins towards Allergic Patients' Sera Biomolecules · PMID 32365614 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Sera from allergic patients | Goji berry protein extract fruit amount not repeated here |
Goji allergy is often linked to lipid transfer protein (LTP), especially around the Mediterranean. Vicilin, legumin and an 11S globulin were the most reactive proteins. Not applicable (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: IgE-binding proteins Limitations: Lab immunoblot work. Funding and conflicts: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Read: abstract |
| Zeng 2023 L. barbarum supplementation for lipid profiles in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 37773857 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
259 5 RCTs, adults |
Lycium barbarum (fruit and other forms) fruit/unspecified amount not repeated here varied · vs control |
Triglycerides and HDL improved; total cholesterol and LDL changes not significant. Fruit showed a larger effect. The authors urge caution after sensitivity analyses. TG 0.14 mmol/L, HDL -0.07 mmol/L as printed in the abstract (the abstract's sign wording looks reversed, so only the direction 'better TG and HDL' is taken from the authors' conclusion) (TG 0.08 to 0.20; HDL -0.13 to -0.01) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Triglycerides, HDL, total cholesterol, LDL Limitations: Only 5 trials; printed signs look inconsistent. Funding and conflicts: The authors report no conflicts of interest. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2015 Bleeding due to a probable interaction between warfarin and Gouqizi (Lycium Barbarum L.) Toxicol Rep · PMID 28962463 · DOI |
Case report |
1 65-year-old man on long-term warfarin |
Goji berry wine fruit (wine) amount not repeated here |
Raised INR with bleeding after drinking goji wine. The authors say large amounts of fruit can strengthen warfarin and cite three earlier reports. Not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: INR and bleeding Limitations: Single case; wine also contains alcohol, which can affect warfarin. Funding and conflicts: Not applicable. Read: abstract |
| Zhou 2022 The Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide on the Glucose and Lipid Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis J Am Nutr Assoc · PMID 34213407 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
7 articles | Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) fruit polysaccharide extract amount not repeated here varied · vs control |
LBP had significant effects on triglycerides, fasting glucose, LDL and HDL (p<0.05) but not total cholesterol. Numbers are not given in the abstract. Direction and size not given in the abstract (NA) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Glucose, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, total cholesterol Limitations: Abstract gives no effect sizes; small pool of studies; the authors say more evidence is needed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of goji tea for any use was found.
- No chemical analysis of what a cup of goji tea carries was found.
- No trial in people with macular degeneration, and no vision outcome.
- The well-being and immune trials come from one research group and one branded juice, with no independent repeat.
- No infection or vaccine-response trial was found.
- No data on pregnancy, breastfeeding or children.
- No frequency data for allergy, photosensitivity or the warfarin interaction.
- Pesticide and sulfite levels in goji tea or shop-bought dried berries were not found.
- Full texts were not read; numbers come from abstracts.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording. New publications never change ratings automatically.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 4
Fasting blood glucose
Lowered in trials
Blood sugar after fasting.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used to watch for diabetes.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Statistically significant; clinical value uncertain and not a replacement for treatment.
Safety implication
Could add to the effect of glucose-lowering medicines in theory.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | -0.36 mmol/L (CI -0.62 to -0.10) | 548 people in 7 RCTs | Lycium barbarum in varied forms |
Triglycerides
Lowered in trials
A type of blood fat.
Low certaintyHDL cholesterol
Raised in trials
The 'good' cholesterol.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
LDL and total cholesterol
Mixed results in trials
The 'bad' and total cholesterol.
Mixed findingsResults and what it means
Organ function 2
Lymphocytes, interleukin-2 and IgG
Raised in trials
Immune cell counts and signalling proteins in blood.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Used as a snapshot of immune activity.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Statistically significant but a higher count is not proof of better protection; one branded-juice trial.
Safety implication
None noted in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Rose versus baseline and placebo; CD4, CD8, NK cells, IL-4, IgA unchanged | 60 healthy older adults | GoChi juice, 30 days |
ALT and GGT
Lowered in trials
Liver enzymes.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Other 4
Plasma zeaxanthin
Raised in trials
The level of the yellow carotenoid zeaxanthin in blood.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Zeaxanthin builds up in the macula.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
The blood level clearly rises, but it did not track macular changes in the Bucheli trial.
Safety implication
None noted.
Macular pigment optical density (MPOD)
Raised in trials
A non-invasive reading of how much protective pigment sits in the macula.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A risk marker for age-related macular degeneration.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Pilot, unmasked; a marker, not vision.
Safety implication
None noted.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Higher at two retinal positions (p=0.029, 0.044); no change with lutein/zeaxanthin capsule | 27 healthy adults aged 45-65 | dried goji, 90 days |
Malondialdehyde (MDA)
Lowered in trials
A by-product of fat damage by oxidation.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Waist circumference
Lowered in trials
Distance around the waist.
Very low certaintySafety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Warfarin: case reports of a raised INR and bleeding, including two with goji tea. Goji tea, juice and wine have each been linked to a raised INR (a clotting test) in people taking warfarin. A 61-year-old woman reached an INR of 4.1 after four days of a concentrated goji tea (Lam 2001). An 80-year-old woman had two episodes of a raised INR after herbal tea containing Lycium barbarum (Leung 2008). A 71-year-old woman had bleeding after four days of goji juice, and a 65-year-old man bled after goji wine. A 2021 systematic review lists Chinese wolfberry among items that raise bleeding risk with warfarin. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists warfarin under 'do not take if'. Case reports cannot prove cause. Case report 19 21 30 36 31 1
- Allergy: goji is a nightshade and a known allergen, especially with lipid transfer protein allergy. Goji berries can cause allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. People allergic to peach or other plant foods through lipid transfer protein (LTP) are at higher risk. Goji is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), and one patient's reaction cross-reacted with tomato. Case series 24 20 34 1
- Lab work suggests goji could change how the body clears some drugs. Goji juice and extracts blocked several liver drug-clearing enzymes (CYP2C9, 2C19 and others) in test tubes. Whether this matters in people is not known. Laboratory research 23 1
Side effects 4
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction (itching, hives, anaphylaxis) Selected allergic people, so this is not a rate for the general public. | Not known; 24 of 31 plant-food-allergic people had positive skin tests, but 89% of them had never eaten goji | mild to severe (anaphylaxis reported) Not stated in the abstracts | Case series 24 20 |
| Raised INR and bleeding with warfarin Two reports involved tea, one juice and one wine (the wine case also involved alcohol). | Not known; case reports only | serious (hospitalisation) INR fell back toward range after the goji was stopped and warfarin adjusted, in the reports that describe follow-up. | Case report 19 21 30 36 |
| Sun sensitivity of the skin (photosensitivity) Memorial Sloan Kettering does not discuss photosensitivity. | Not known; one case report, called the first by its authors | mild to moderate (itchy rash) Skin sensitivity returned to normal after stopping | Case report 16 |
| No adverse events in the trials that checked Small, short trials; they cannot rule out rare problems. | Trials reported none | not applicable not applicable | Controlled trial 10 6 26 |
Liver
No case report of goji liver injury was found in the sources read, and no LiverTox goji entry was found. In one trial, a Lycium chinense fruit extract slightly lowered liver enzymes with no clinically significant safety changes. Memorial Sloan Kettering says other analyses point to a potential for liver disease and that human evidence is not established. The root bark is a separate herb and is not covered. 26 1
How often. No frequency can be given.
Monitoring. No official monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Goji Berry Tea supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 5
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warfarin and other anticoagulants drug | Unknown. In one lab test a goji tea weakly blocked the enzyme that clears warfarin (CYP2C9), and the case authors say this may not explain the cases. | Potentially serious because warfarin's safe range is narrow; several case reports of INR rise with bleeding. | Case report Low certainty 19 21 30 36 31 1 | Do not combine goji tea, juice, wine or large amounts of the fruit with warfarin unless your doctor or anticoagulation clinic knows and checks your INR. |
| Drugs cleared by CYP2C9, 2C19 or 3A4 (many common medicines) drug | Goji juice blocked most CYP enzymes in test tubes; ethanol extract blocked CYP2C9 and 2C19 over 90%. Memorial Sloan Kettering also says a lycium extract may induce CYP3A4 through the pregnane X receptor. | Unknown. Lab only; clinical relevance still to be determined. | Laboratory research Very low certainty 23 1 | Ask a pharmacist before using goji products regularly with medicines that have narrow safe ranges. |
| Diabetes medicines drug | Pooled trials show lower fasting glucose, so effects could add together. | Theoretical; no case report of low blood sugar was found. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 17 11 | Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink goji tea regularly and take diabetes medicine, and follow the blood sugar checks you have been given. |
| Blood pressure medicines drug | Pooled trials show no change in blood pressure for the fruit; the traditional blood-pressure use belongs to the root bark. | No interaction signal found for the fruit. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 33 28 | No specific advice was found. Mention goji tea to your doctor or pharmacist if you take blood pressure medicine. |
| Nightshade/plant-food allergy (tomato, peach) condition | Goji is in the Solanaceae family and shares lipid transfer protein with other plant foods. | Cross-reactive allergy reported. | Case series Low certainty 24 20 1 | Avoid if you have LTP allergy; ask an allergist. |
Who should check first 3
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Taking warfarin or other anticoagulants | Avoid unless the prescriber agrees and monitors INR. | Case report 19 21 30 36 1 |
| Lipid transfer protein (LTP) food allergy, or a prior allergic reaction to goji | Avoid; see an allergist. | Case series 20 1 |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children | No safety data from the sources read, for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children. Traditional texts are often cited as advising caution, but that was NOT verified. Ask a doctor or midwife. | Traditional use |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Potterat 2010 found no signs of toxicity of the plant in its review but flagged drug interaction. Trials of up to 90 days reported no product-related adverse events.
Animal. Not covered by the abstracts read.
Human doses studied. Trials ran 14 to 90 days with whole berries, a branded juice or extracts, with no product-related adverse events reported. Amounts are not repeated here.
High dose or long term signals. A case report on goji wine says large amounts of fruit can strengthen warfarin. Tea has not been studied for safety.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not covered in the abstracts read.
Toxic or hazardous parts. Not identified in the sources read. The ripe fruit is the traditionally eaten part; root bark is a separate herb.
Quality varies by origin and processing. A 2024 study of 75 dried goji berry samples from Chinese markets found 28 pesticides; washing lowered residues. Sulfur fumigation and added sulfites are described as processing methods in lab papers, but the sulfite level in shop products was not found. Dried goji sold in Poland had high microbe counts in one study. None of this measures what is in a cup of tea.
Pesticide residue. In 75 dried berry samples from markets across China, 28 pesticides were detected. Washing removed 17% to 74% of residues, and sun drying concentrated them more than oven drying. The authors report acute risk quotients above 100%, mainly from insecticides. An erratum exists that we did not read. A separate spray study says pesticide residue is the main barrier to exporting Chinese wolfberry. 27 13
Sulfites (sulfur dioxide). Papers on test methods say sulfur fumigation is a traditional way to dry and protect wolfberry, that excessive fumigation is a concern, and that sulfite addition is common when goji powder is processed. How much sulfite is in goji tea or dried berries sold in shops was not found. 15 14
Microbial contamination. Dried goji sold in Poland had microbial counts above 10^6 CFU/g, higher than naturally dried Ningxia fruit. 29
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (United States) | Herb page: warfarin and LTP allergy under 'do not take if'; says safety and efficacy for chronic disease are not established. source | 2021 |
| NCCIH (US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health) (United States) | No goji page found. source |
When to get medical help
- Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheeze, or fainting after eating or drinking goji (possible anaphylaxis): call emergency services.
- Nosebleeds, black or bloody stools, unusual bruising, or bleeding gums while taking warfarin and drinking goji tea: call your doctor or anticoagulation clinic.
- Itchy rash on sun-exposed skin after starting goji.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is goji berry tea?
Does goji berry tea contain caffeine?
Goji is not the tea plant, so it is not a source of tea caffeine. A lab survey of 33 teas from other plants found no caffeine in any, but its abstract does not name goji, so this is indirect. Blends sold as goji tea may contain other ingredients, so read the label.
Has goji berry tea itself been tested in trials?
Can goji tea improve eyesight or protect against macular degeneration?
Not shown. Small trials in healthy adults found higher zeaxanthin in the blood and some signs of better macular pigment with berries or a milk-based formulation, but no trial studied people with macular degeneration or measured vision, and none used tea. A 2021 review says the role in retinal disease in people is not established.
Does goji reduce tiredness or help the immune system?
Two short trials of one branded juice found better self-rated well-being and less fatigue, and one found some higher immune lab values. They were small, from one research group and the abstracts do not say who paid, so they may be industry-linked. No trial looked at infections or vaccine response, and none used tea.
Can goji tea lower blood sugar, blood fats or blood pressure?
Is goji tea safe with warfarin?
Not without medical advice. Two case reports describe a raised INR after goji tea or an herbal tea containing it, and others describe a raised INR or bleeding after goji juice or wine. Memorial Sloan Kettering lists warfarin under 'do not take if'. Tell your doctor or anticoagulation clinic if you drink it.
Can goji tea affect diabetes or blood pressure medicines?
Possibly in theory. Pooled trials show a small drop in fasting glucose, so effects could add to diabetes medicine; no case of low blood sugar was found. Blood pressure did not change in pooled trials, and no interaction signal was found. In lab tests, goji blocked some liver enzymes that clear drugs, but this has not been shown in people. Tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Can goji cause an allergic reaction?
Yes. Anaphylaxis has been reported. Goji is a nightshade, and people with lipid transfer protein (LTP) food allergy, for example to peach, are at higher risk. One patient's reaction cross-reacted with tomato. Call emergency services for swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, wheeze or fainting.
Is goji tea safe in pregnancy, breastfeeding or for children?
No safety data were found in the sources we read, so we cannot say. Traditional cautions are sometimes mentioned but we could not verify them. Ask a doctor or midwife.
Do dried goji berries contain pesticides or sulfites?
One study found 28 pesticides in 75 dried goji samples from markets across China, and washing lowered residues. Lab papers describe sulfur fumigation and added sulfites as processing methods, but we found no measurements for goji tea or shop products. If you are sensitive to sulfites, read the label.
Can goji make skin more sensitive to sun?
One case report describes sun sensitivity that came back when goji was taken again. It is not known how often this happens.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We built this page from our goji herb profile and checked every PubMed record used against PubMed on 2026-10-25, then searched for tea-specific studies. We found two warfarin case reports involving tea and no trial of the tea. Memorial Sloan Kettering's goji page was read in full. NCCIH, EFSA, EMA, LiverTox and LactMed entries were not found; the EU Novel Food Catalogue entry was not opened. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading, not formal grades, unless a review's own conclusion is quoted.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. If one is added later it will be labelled and kept apart from the evidence.
Sources 37
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- . Lycium (About Herbs), Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. . 2021. (full-text)
- . NCCIH goji page (checked, not found). . 2026. (not-found)
- . EU Novel Food Catalogue entry for goji berry (search snippet only). . 2026. (summary-only)
- . GBIF species match: Lycium barbarum L. (key 2928835) and Lycium chinense Mill. (key 2928809). . 2026. (full-text)
- Amagase H, Nance DM. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study of the general effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi. J Altern Complement Med. 2008. PMID 18447631. DOI 10.1089/acm.2008.0004. (abstract)
- Amagase H, Sun B, Nance DM. Immunomodulatory effects of a standardized Lycium barbarum fruit juice in Chinese older healthy human subjects. J Med Food. 2009. PMID 19857084. DOI 10.1089/jmf.2008.0300. (abstract)
- Amagase H, Sun B, Borek C. Lycium barbarum (goji) juice improves in vivo antioxidant biomarkers in serum of healthy adults. Nutr Res. 2009. PMID 19185773. DOI 10.1016/j.nutres.2008.11.005. (abstract)
- Amagase H, Nance DM. Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: pilot study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2011. PMID 22081616. DOI 10.1080/07315724.2011.10719973. (abstract)
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- Cheng CY, Chung WY, Szeto YT, Benzie IF. Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial. Br J Nutr. 2005. PMID 15705234. DOI 10.1079/bjn20041284. (abstract)
- Ding L, Zhou X, Liang X, et al.. Achieving High Efficacy and Low Safety Risk by Balancing Pesticide Deposition on Leaves and Fruits of Chinese Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.). ACS Omega. 2023. PMID 37125088. DOI 10.1021/acsomega.3c00581. (abstract)
- Ding H, Zhang T, Wang Z, et al.. Classification and quantification of sodium metabisulfite in goji berry powder: Applications of hyperspectral technology and transformer-based hybrid models.. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2026. PMID 41442910. DOI 10.1016/j.saa.2025.127379. (abstract)
- Ge Y, Chen W, Jiang L, et al.. A highly specific fluorescent probe with facile pretreatment for rapid and accurate detection of sulfur dioxide residues in wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.).. Front Pharmacol. 2026. PMID 41800089. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2026.1759685. (abstract)
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- Larramendi CH, Garcia-Abujeta JL, Vicario S, et al.. Goji berries (Lycium barbarum): risk of allergic reactions in individuals with food allergy. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2012. PMID 23101309. (abstract)
- Leung H, Hung A, Hui AC, Chan TY. Warfarin overdose due to the possible effects of Lycium barbarum L.. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008. PMID 18281140. DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2008.01.008. (abstract)
- Li X, Holt RR, Keen CL, et al.. Goji Berry Intake Increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 34959963. DOI 10.3390/nu13124409. (abstract)
- Liu R, Tam TW, Mao J, et al.. In vitro activity of Lycium barbarum (Goji) against major human phase I metabolism enzymes. J Complement Integr Med. 2016. PMID 27352447. DOI 10.1515/jcim-2015-0038. (abstract)
- Monzon Ballarin S, Lopez-Matas MA, Saenz Abad D, et al.. Anaphylaxis associated with the ingestion of Goji berries (Lycium barbarum). J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2011. PMID 22312943. (abstract)
- Neelam K, Dey S, Sim R, et al.. Fructus lycii: A Natural Dietary Supplement for Amelioration of Retinal Diseases. Nutrients. 2021. PMID 33467087. DOI 10.3390/nu13010246. (abstract)
- Oh MR, Jung SJ, Chae SW, et al.. Lycium chinense Miller fruit extract lowers liver enzyme levels in subjects with mild hepatic dysfunction: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur J Nutr. 2023. PMID 36629892. DOI 10.1007/s00394-022-03075-8. (abstract)
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- Potterat O. Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense): Phytochemistry, pharmacology and safety in the perspective of traditional uses and recent popularity. Planta Med. 2010. PMID 19844860. DOI 10.1055/s-0029-1186218. (abstract)
- Rajkowska K, Otlewska A, Broncel N, et al.. Microbial Diversity and Bioactive Compounds in Dried Lycium barbarum Fruits (Goji): A Comparative Study. Molecules. 2023. PMID 37241797. DOI 10.3390/molecules28104058. (abstract)
- Rivera CA, Ferro CL, Bursua AJ, Gerber BS. Probable interaction between Lycium barbarum (goji) and warfarin. Pharmacotherapy. 2012. PMID 22392461. DOI 10.1002/j.1875-9114.2012.01018.x. (abstract)
- Tan CSS, Lee SWH. Warfarin and food, herbal or dietary supplement interactions: A systematic review. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2021. PMID 32478963. DOI 10.1111/bcp.14404. (abstract)
- Toh DWK, Xia X, Sutanto CN, et al.. Enhancing the cardiovascular protective effects of a healthy dietary pattern with wolfberry (Lycium barbarum): A randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021. PMID 33964853. DOI 10.1093/ajcn/nqab062. (abstract)
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Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- The herb is the first or only ingredient
- Organic or lab-tested if that matters to you
- Loose leaf or tea bags, and how long they have been stored
- If you take medicines or are pregnant, ask a pharmacist about the herb first
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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