The effects and benefits of goji berries are varied, making them a common food-and-medicine ingredient.

Goji berries are the dried ripe fruit of the goji plant (Lycium barbarum) in the nightshade family, commonly known as goji fruit or red berries, and are a traditional Chinese food-and-medicine ingredient. They are mostly oval in shape, bright red or dark red in color, and taste sweet at first and then slightly sour. They are mainly produced in Ningxia, Qinghai, Gansu, Xinjiang and other places, among which Ningxia goji berries are especially famous.

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are neutral in nature and sweet in taste, and enter the liver and kidney meridians. They have long been regarded as a commonly used medicinal material for nourishing the liver and kidneys and improving eyesight, and often appear in formulas and food therapy combinations for regulating constitution. From the perspective of modern nutrition, goji berries contain components such as goji polysaccharides, carotene, a variety of vitamins and amino acids, so they are often eaten as an ingredient for daily health maintenance.

Goji berries can be eaten in very flexible ways. They can be chewed directly, or used to make tea, soak in liquor, cook porridge, make soup, or be stewed with ingredients such as red dates and white fungus. It is recommended to eat the goji berries together with the fruit after making tea, so that the nutrients in them can be absorbed more fully. For daily consumption, an appropriate amount is suitable, and there is no need to overeat.

It should be noted that goji berries are a mildly warming tonic ingredient, so people who are currently suffering from a cold or fever, have inflammation in the body, or are prone to internal heat or diarrhea should eat them with caution, and those with weak spleen and stomach should also control the amount. At the same time, goji berries cannot replace medication for treating diseases, and one should seek medical attention promptly when feeling unwell. When storing, it is best to seal them to prevent moisture, and place them in a cool, dry place to avoid clumping from dampness and insect infestation.