11 Best Benefits Of Lycium Chinense
Lycium chinense, also known as Chinese boxthorn, is a plant species belonging to the family Solanaceae.
The bioactive compounds present in Lycium chinense, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, are responsible for its numerous health benefits.
The plant has been found to reduce inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes and cytokines, while its antioxidizing properties help protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
Additionally, the antibacterial properties of Lycium chinense have been shown to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, making it a potential natural remedy for wound healing and infection prevention.
Featured Study
According to Journal of ethnopharmacology, Lycium chinense offers health benefits due to its polysaccharides, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, vitamins, betaine, and mixed extracts, which are responsible for anti-aging, improving eyesight, and anti-fatigue effects.
This page lists the most important health benefits of Lycium chinense.
Table of Contents
1. Reduces inflammation
Lycium chinense reduces inflammation, which is a biological response to harmful stimuli, characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function.
This benefit is important as chronic inflammation is linked to various diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease, and can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.
The plant's ability to reduce inflammation is attributed to its bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and alkaloids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
To harness this benefit, Lycium chinense can be used in herbal preparations such as tea, capsules, or tinctures, typically in dosages of 1-3 grams of dried fruit per day, and can also be consumed as a juice or added to food products.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Infusion
- Extract capsules
- Decoction
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces inflammation.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense flavonoids | Arthritis, gout, bursitis |
| Chlorogenic acid | Inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis |
| Ellagic acid | Atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes-related inflammation |
2. Antioxidizes
Lycium chinense antioxidizes by neutralizing free radicals in the body, which are unstable molecules that can cause oxidative stress and damage to cells.
This benefit is crucial as it can help prevent or mitigate various chronic diseases, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative disorders, as well as reduce the signs of aging, like wrinkles and age spots.
The ability of Lycium chinense to antioxidize is attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to have potent antioxidant properties.
To harness this benefit, Lycium chinense can be consumed in various herbal preparations, such as dried berries, teas, capsules, or tinctures, which can be taken after consulting with a healthcare professional to determine the optimal dosage and preparation method.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Gou qi zi tincture
- Tea
- Gou qi zi supplement
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Antioxidizes.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense flavonoids | Cell damage, dna damage, cancer prevention |
| Lycium chinense phenolic acids | Inflammation, oxidative stress, cardiovascular disease |
| Lycium chinense anthocyanins | Antioxidant deficiency, aging, neurodegenerative diseases |
| Lycium chinense alkaloids | Neuroprotection, inflammation, cancer prevention |
| Lycium chinense polysaccharides | Immune system support, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory |
3. Antibacterial
Lycium chinense antibacterial refers to the plant's ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria, thereby preventing infections and promoting a healthy environment.
This benefit is crucial as it helps prevent a range of diseases including urinary tract infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections, all of which can be life-threatening if left untreated.
The plant's antibacterial properties are attributed to the presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids, which have been shown to possess potent antimicrobial activity.
To harness the antibacterial benefits of Lycium chinense, it can be used in herbal preparations such as teas, tinctures, and capsules, allowing individuals to reap the rewards of this plant's medicinal properties.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Tincture
- Infusion
- Oil
- Decoction
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Antibacterial.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycorine | Pneumonia, skin infections, urinary tract infections |
| Lyciumoside a | Bacterial dysentery, food poisoning, wound infections |
| Lyciumoside b | Gastroenteritis, meningitis, septicemia |
| Lycorine b | Acute bronchitis, endocarditis, peritonitis |
4. Antifungal
Lycium chinense antifungal properties refer to the plant's ability to inhibit the growth of fungi, thereby preventing fungal infections and diseases.
This benefit is important as fungal infections can cause a wide range of health issues, such as athlete's foot, ringworm, and even life-threatening conditions like candidiasis, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
The lycium chinense plant's antifungal properties are attributed to its bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to possess potent antifungal and antimicrobial activities.
To harness the antifungal benefits of Lycium chinense, it is best to use herbal preparations such as tea, tinctures, or capsules made from the dried fruit or leaves of the plant, which can be consumed internally or applied topically to affected areas.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Goji berry tincture ()
- Essential oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Antifungal.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense fruit extract | Candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot |
| Lycium chinense polysaccharide | Fungal infections, skin fungus, onychomycosis |
| Lycium chinense flavonoid | Vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, cutaneous candidiasis |
| Lycium chinense glycoside | Systemic fungal infections, mucormycosis, necrotizing fasciitis |
| Lycium chinense alkaloid | Fungal keratitis, fungal endophthalmitis, fungal meningitis |
5. Antiviral
Lycium chinense antiviral properties refer to the plant's ability to inhibit the replication of viruses and prevent viral infections.
This benefit is crucial in preventing and treating various viral diseases, such as influenza, herpes, and HIV, which can lead to severe health complications and even death.
Lycium chinense's antiviral properties can be attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and saponins, which have been shown to exhibit potent antiviral activities.
To harness the antiviral benefits of Lycium chinense, it is best to consume it as a herbal tea or capsule, or apply its extracts topically to affected areas, under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Tincture
- Infusion
- Decoction
- Capsule
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Antiviral.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lyciumoside c | Herpes simplex, influenza, covid-19 |
| Lyciumoside d | Adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, hiv |
| Lyciumoside a | Ebola, sars-cov, rhinovirus |
| Lycium chinense anthocyanins | Influenza, hantavirus, norovirus |
| Lycium chinense flavonoids | Herpes simplex, adenovirus, cytomegalovirus |
6. Lowers blood sugar
Lycium chinense lowers blood sugar by reducing the levels of glucose in the blood, which is a condition known as hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.
This benefit is crucial as high blood sugar levels can lead to various complications, such as nerve damage, kidney failure, and vision loss, and can also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and even death.
The Lycium chinense plant has been found to exhibit this benefit due to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties.
To harness this benefit, the Lycium chinense plant can be used to make herbal preparations such as tea, capsules, or tinctures, which can be consumed orally after consulting with a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Extract tincture
- Leaf tea
- Capsules
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Lowers blood sugar.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense fruit extract polysaccharide | Diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia |
| Lycium chinense amino acid | Glycogen storage disease, pancreatic insufficiency, cushing's syndrome |
| Lycium chinense flavonoid | Adrenal insufficiency, hypoglycemia, neurogenic diabetes |
| Lycium chinense saponin | Diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic neuropathy |
| Lycium chinense anthocyanin | Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes |
7. Improves cardiovascular health
Lycium chinense improves cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease, which occurs when the blood vessels become hardened and narrowed due to the buildup of plaque, potentially leading to heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events.
This benefit is crucial as cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 18 million deaths annually, and is often associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels.
The plant's bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, are responsible for its cardiovascular benefits, as they have been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory effects, which help to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
To harness the cardiovascular benefits of Lycium chinense, the plant can be consumed in various herbal preparations, such as dried berries, capsules, or teas, which can be taken daily as a dietary supplement to support heart health and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Extract capsules
- Infusion
- Decoction
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Improves cardiovascular health.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycorine | Hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia |
| Lyciumin d | Cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke |
| Lyciumin b | Cardiovascular fibrosis, cardiomyopathy, thrombosis |
| Lyciumin a | Cardiovascular inflammation, cardiovascular oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction |
8. Protects liver
Lycium chinense protects liver by exhibiting hepatoprotective properties, which refer to the plant's ability to safeguard the liver from damage and promote its overall health.
This benefit is crucial as liver problems can lead to conditions such as cirrhosis, jaundice, and even liver failure, which can result in severe health issues and even death.
The liver-protective properties of Lycium chinense can be attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
To harness the hepatoprotective benefits of Lycium chinense, it is best to consume the plant in the form of herbal preparations such as tea, capsules, or tinctures, which can be made from its dried fruits or leaves.
Top Preparations:
- Extract capsules
- Berry tincture
- Liver support tea
- Berry supplement powder
- Goji berry extract oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Protects liver.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense polysaccharides | Liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver disease |
| Glycoside | Hepatotoxicity, liver fibrosis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease |
| Lycium chinense flavonoids | Hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver failure |
| Astragalin | Liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, hepatotoxicity |
| Isorhapontigenin | Fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis, liver cancer |
9. Boosts immune system
Lycium chinense boosts immune system by enhancing the body's natural defense mechanisms, including the production of immune cells and the activation of immune responses.
This benefit is crucial as it helps protect against infections, diseases, and even certain types of cancer, as seen in studies where individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to illnesses such as pneumonia, influenza, and HIV.
The immune-boosting properties of Lycium chinense are attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
To harness the immune-boosting benefits of Lycium chinense, it is best to consume it in the form of herbal teas, supplements, or dried fruit extracts, as these preparations allow for optimal absorption and utilization of its active compounds.
Top Preparations:
- Tincture
- Tea
- Infusion
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Boosts immune system.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense fruit extract - polysaccharide | Tuberculosis, pneumonia, malaria |
| Lycium chinense fruit extract - flavonoid | Common cold, influenza, bronchitis |
| Lycium chinense fruit extract - anthocyanin | Fever, diarrhea, nephritis |
10. Reduces cancer risk
Lycium chinense reduces cancer risk by exhibiting chemopreventive properties, which refer to the ability of a substance to prevent or slow the development of cancer cells.
This benefit is important because cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and reducing the risk of cancer can save countless lives, as seen in the cases of individuals who have successfully prevented cancer through lifestyle changes and natural interventions.
The chemopreventive properties of Lycium chinense are attributed to its bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and anthocyanins, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and induce apoptosis (cell death).
To utilize Lycium chinense for its cancer-preventing benefits, it is best to consume it in the form of herbal preparations, such as capsules or tinctures, made from the dried fruit of the plant, or as a juice extracted from the fruit, in moderation and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Top Preparations:
- Extract capsules
- Berry juice
- Tincture
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Reduces cancer risk.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense polysaccharide | Colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer |
| Lycium barbarum extract | Breast cancer, leukemia, ovarian cancer |
| Beta-carotene | Skin cancer, oral cancer, colon cancer |
| Lutein | Eye cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer |
| Vitamin c | Colon cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer |
11. Treats osteoporosis
Lycium chinense treats osteoporosis by helping to prevent and manage the progressive loss of bone density, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures and bone deformities.
This benefit is particularly important for individuals who are at risk of osteoporosis, such as postmenopausal women, older adults, and those with a family history of the condition, as it can significantly reduce their risk of experiencing debilitating fractures, such as hip and spinal fractures.
The plant's ability to treat osteoporosis is attributed to its rich content of bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, which have been shown to stimulate bone formation, inhibit bone resorption, and improve calcium absorption.
To harness the osteoporosis-treating properties of Lycium chinense, it is best to use herbal preparations such as capsules or extracts standardized to contain high levels of the plant's bioactive constituents, or as a tea made from the dried fruits of the plant.
Top Preparations:
- Extract
- Tincture
- Capsule
- Tea
- Oil
The following table displays the major constituents of Lycium chinense and examples of ailments they help cure that are related to Treats osteoporosis.
| Constituents | Ailments |
|---|---|
| Lycium chinense polysaccharide | Osteoporosis, bone loss, osteopenia |
| Lycium chinense flavonoids | Bone fracture, vertebral compression, osteoporotic fractures |
| Lycium chinense alkaloids | Bone density loss, osteoporotic pain, spinal fractures |
| Lycium chinense phenolic acids | Bone resorption, osteoporosis progression, bone metabolism disorder |