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Josephine holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Traditional Chinese Medicine (UTS). She is a member of FCMA and ACCMA, and is registered with AHPRA as a Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbal Medicine Practitioner.
Gou Qi Zi, the dried fruit of Lycium barbarum (goji berry or wolfberry), has been used in Chinese medicine for over two thousand years and has gained international recognition as a "superfood." In TCM, Gou Qi Zi is sweet in flavour, neutral in temperature, and enters the Liver, Kidney, and Lung meridians. Its neutral temperature makes it a gentle tonic that can be used long-term without risk of generating excess heat or cold — a significant advantage over many other tonic herbs.
Gou Qi Zi nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin, benefits the Jing (essence), and brightens the eyes. Its affinity for the Liver makes it particularly valuable for visual disturbances — blurred vision, dry eyes, diminished acuity, and night blindness are classic indications. By nourishing Kidney Jing, it supports longevity, sexual health, and reproductive function. It is a key ingredient in Qi Ju Di Huang Wan (Lycium, Chrysanthemum, and Rehmannia Pill) — a modification of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan specifically targeting Liver and Kidney Yin deficiency with eye symptoms.
Gou Qi Zi is unique among tonic herbs in its accessibility — it can be eaten as food, brewed as tea, added to soups and congee, or taken in herbal formulas. This dual food-medicine status makes it one of the easiest Chinese herbs to incorporate into daily life. Standard medicinal dosage is 6 to 15 grams. While generally very safe, it should be used with caution during acute illness with exterior symptoms, and in cases of Spleen deficiency with significant Dampness, as its moistening nature may worsen loose stools.
In TCM, goji berries (Gou Qi Zi) nourish the Liver and Kidneys, strengthen Jing (essence), and brighten the eyes. They are used for blurred vision, dry eyes, dizziness, low back weakness, premature ageing, and reduced sexual vitality. Their neutral temperature makes them safe for long-term use as a gentle Yin tonic.
Goji berries can be eaten dried as a snack (a small handful daily), brewed into tea, added to soups, rice porridge, or stews, or taken as part of a prescribed herbal formula. Soaking in hot water for 10 minutes before eating improves digestibility. Medicinal dosage is typically 6-15 grams per day.
Josephine Zhuo (TCM) is an AHPRA registered health practitioner — acupuncturist and herbalist.
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