Goji (Wolfberry) (Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Goji (wolfberry, Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense): traditional use, the limited human research, warfarin bleeding reports and food-allergy cautions, with sources.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
If you take warfarin or another blood thinner, ask your prescriber or pharmacist before using goji. Case reports describe raised INR (a blood-clotting test) and bleeding after goji juice, tea or wine. [1][2]
What goji is
Goji or wolfberry is the fruit of Lycium barbarum and the related Lycium chinense. Both are accepted species in the Solanaceae family. [3][4] The fruit (berry) is the part used. Case reports below involve juice, tea and wine, which are different forms, and results from one do not carry over to another.Traditional use (not proof)
In several Asian countries the fruit is used in traditional medicine for inflammation, skin irritation, nosebleeds, aches and pains, and as a sedative. In Chinese medicine it is often combined with other botanicals for poor vision, anemia and cough. [5] See goji berry in Chinese medicine. It is also marketed as a "superfood" high in antioxidants, which is a marketing claim, not a research result. [5]What research shows
One herb database says the safety and efficacy of lycium for chronic diseases has not been established and that studies in humans are limited. [5]| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Blood fats and heart risk | A 2022 review pooled 10 trials. Triglycerides fell by about 0.14 mmol/L and HDL rose by about 0.06 mmol/L, with larger effects for whole wolfberry than for extract. No change in blood pressure. [6] | Promising but limited |
| Blood pressure | No change found in that review. [6] | No clear benefit found |
| Wellbeing and blood sugar | Preliminary data suggest improved wellbeing in healthy people and blood-sugar-lowering effects in people with type 2 diabetes; studies in humans are limited. [5] | Insufficient evidence |
| Cancer | Clinical studies have not been conducted to test anticancer potential. [5] | Preclinical only (lab and animal) |
| Aches and pains, sedation | Evidence is lacking. [5] | Traditional use only |
Proper evidence not found: we did not find trials showing goji treats any disease. We searched the MSK herb database and PubMed (randomized trials and systematic reviews). NCCIH and MedlinePlus have no goji page we could read.
Safety
- Warfarin and blood thinners: A 71-year-old woman on warfarin was hospitalized with a very high INR, nosebleeds, bruising and rectal bleeding after drinking goji juice for 4 days. The authors rated the link as probable and noted two earlier reports with goji tea. [1] A 65-year-old man had a raised INR and bleeding after goji berry wine. [2] The authors advised more frequent INR checks for people on warfarin who use medicinal herbs. [2] See how interactions work.
- Other medicines: Lab work suggests lycium extract induces CYP3A4 and may speed clearance of drugs cleared by it; other lycium extracts inhibit CYP 2C9 and 2C19. [5] The clinical relevance needs to be determined. [5]
- Allergy: Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in people at high risk of plant food allergies. Allergy has been linked to cross-reactivity with lipid transfer protein found in other foods. [5] Goji belongs to the Solanaceae family. [3] The sources we read describe the lipid transfer protein link, not a general reaction in other Solanaceae allergy. Ask an allergist.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, kidney, liver: not described in the sources we read. See pregnancy and breastfeeding and children and teens.
- Surgery: tell the surgical team about goji, since bleeding was reported with warfarin. See supplements before surgery.
Quality
Product contents and forms (juice, wine, tea, powder) vary. The sources we read do not describe contamination of goji products. See quality testing and certifications.Related pages
Herb safety essentials, bilberry and rose hips.Frequently asked questions
Is goji the same as wolfberry?
Yes. Both names are used for the fruit of Lycium barbarum (and related Lycium species). [5]
Can I use goji with warfarin?
Case reports describe bleeding and high INR with goji juice, tea and wine. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist first. [1]
Does goji lower cholesterol?
A pooled analysis of 10 trials found small improvements in triglycerides and HDL, more with whole berries. [6]
Does goji prevent cancer?
Clinical studies have not been done to test this. [5]
Can goji cause allergy?
Yes, reactions have been reported, mainly in people with plant food allergies. [5]
References
- Probable interaction between Lycium barbarum (goji) and warfarin. Pharmacotherapy, 2012 (case report). Read 2026-10-23.
- Bleeding due to a probable interaction between warfarin and Gouqizi (Lycium barbarum L.). Toxicology Reports, 2015 (case report). Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Lycium barbarum. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Lycium chinense. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (US), Lycium, About Herbs database, last updated December 2021. Read 2026-10-23.
- Cardiovascular disease risk reduction with wolfberry consumption: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Nutrition, 2022. Read 2026-10-23.