Dried Herb & Tea

Goji Berry

Lycium barbarum

B Limited clinical evidence

Goji berries showed small drops in blood sugar and more macular pigment in small studies. People taking warfarin should not use them due to bleeding risk.

General NutritionMetabolism, Weight & Blood SugarHeart & Circulation
Goji Berry
Pregnancy⚠ Avoid
Breastfeeding⚠ Avoid
ChildrenUnknown
Drug interactionsInteraction reported
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At a glance

Goji is the red fruit of Lycium barbarum, grown in China and eaten dried. Small randomized trials found a modest drop in fasting blood sugar, more macular pigment in early age-related macular degeneration and a rise in HDL cholesterol. There are case reports of raised INR, a blood clotting value, with the blood thinner warfarin.

Parts used: fruit
Key constituents: Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, Zeaxanthin, Betaine

Updated: October 24, 2026

Sources and research limitations appear below. The existence of a source does not mean every use has been clinically verified.

What is it used for?

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    In a 2021 meta-analysis of six randomized trials in China, goji polysaccharides or juice lowered fasting blood sugar by an average of 0.7 mmol/L over 1–3 months; doses and results varied widely between trials. Another meta-analysis from 2017 found no significant overall difference, with the drop clearer in the type 2 diabetes subgroup. [1][2]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    In a randomized trial in 114 patients with early age-related macular degeneration, eating 25 g of goji a day for 90 days increased macular pigment density and visual acuity. The trial had no blinded comparison group. [1]

  • B Limited clinical evidence

    Limited clinical evidence: Limited human data; small samples, methodological problems or inconsistent results reduce certainty. Findings do not apply to every product.

    How do we rate evidence levels? →

    In 41 healthy adults aged 50–75, eating 15 g of dried goji a day for 16 weeks as part of a healthy diet raised HDL (good) cholesterol; other blood lipids, blood pressure and vascular function did not change. [1]

How is it used?

Food

The dried fruit is eaten as food. Studies used 15–25 g of dried fruit a day; there is no verified dose for supplements.

[1]

Safety & interactions

  • Do not use goji tea, juice, wine or supplements if you take warfarin or another blood thinner; raised INR and bleeding have been reported.
  • There is no safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid more than food amounts.
  • People with pollen or food allergies (especially tomato, peanut, hazelnut; lipid transfer protein allergy) have a high risk of severe allergic reactions.
  • If you take diabetes medicine, ask your doctor before starting a supplement.
  • It may affect how the liver breaks down many drugs; ask your pharmacist if you take regular medicines.
[1][2]

Drug interactions

Drug interactions
Medicine / substanceEffectSeverity
Warfarin and other blood thinnersRaised INR and bleeding were reported in warfarin users who drank goji tea (6–18 g of berries a day) or goji wine; values returned to normal after stopping. Do not combine. [1][2]Moderate
Drugs broken down by CYP3A4, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19Affected these liver enzymes in lab studies; relevance in humans is unknown. [2]Minor

Side effects

  • Allergic reactions; a case of exercise-induced anaphylaxis
  • Mild nosebleed in one trial
  • Few side effects in clinical trials

⚕ When to see a doctor

  • If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
  • If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
  • If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs

Frequently asked questions

Do goji berries lower blood sugar?

One meta-analysis of small trials found a modest drop in fasting blood sugar; another found no significant overall effect. They do not replace diabetes medicine.

Are goji berries good for the eyes?

In early age-related macular degeneration, 25 g of goji a day increased macular pigment and visual acuity. It is a single trial; follow your eye doctor's advice for eye disease.

Can I take goji berries with warfarin?

No. Raised INR and bleeding have been reported in warfarin users who drank goji tea or wine. Avoid goji products if you take a blood thinner.

Can I eat goji berries while pregnant?

There is no safety information for pregnancy or breastfeeding; avoid more than food amounts and supplements.

Do goji berries help with weight loss or immunity?

No studies show weight loss. Effects on immunity and cancer are mostly based on lab and animal data.

Sources

Source type is not an efficacy rating. A monograph may document traditional use or safety. Claim numbers link to the relevant source; the access date does not indicate professional approval.

  1. Goji BerryDrugs.com — Natural Products (Wolters Kluwer) · 2026 · Reference bookSource accessed:
  2. LyciumMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — About Herbs · 2021 · Reference bookSource accessed:

Cite This Page

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/goji-berry/

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