Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Lycium, commonly known as goji berry or wolfberry, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries, particularly to support eye health. In TCM, Lycium fruit is believed to "nourish the liver and kidney," which are thought to play a critical role in maintaining healthy vision. Historical texts, such as the "Shennong Ben Cao Jing" (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), reference Lycium as beneficial for "brightening the eyes" and improving visual acuity, especially in cases of age-related decline.

While there is a rich tradition supporting its use, modern scientific evidence is emerging but still incomplete. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that the carotenoids (notably zeaxanthin) and polysaccharides in Lycium berries may help protect retinal cells from oxidative stress and may slow the progression of certain degenerative eye conditions. However, large-scale, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited. Most of the support for Lycium's effects on eye health is therefore based on traditional use and preclinical research, with only modest scientific backing so far.

In summary, Lycium's role in supporting the eyes is primarily justified by tradition, with a moderate level of scientific plausibility, but more robust human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.

More about Lycium
More about Eyes

Other ingredients that support Eyes

Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
Alpha-carotene
anchovies
anthocyanins
apricot
astaxanthin
berry flavor
beta-carotene
bilberry
black currant
blackberry
blueberry
broccoli
calamari oil
carrot
citicoline
cryptoxanthin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
fish oil
flavonols
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gooseberry
hyaluronic acid
hypromellose
kale
L-carnosine
L-taurine
lutein
mackerel
mannitol
Marine lipid
Melatonin
mixed carotenoids
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
pine bark
pumpkin
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
rutin
saffron
sardines
shrimp
spinach
tomato
Triphala
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin E
Water
Mulberry
Zeaxanthin
Zinc
chickweed
Morus
chrysanthemum
haliotis
polyphenols
trace minerals
goji berry
herbal blend (proprietary)
Algae
3,3'-dihydroxy-B-carotene-4,4'-dione
Aronia melanocarpa
Alchornea
avocado
anthocyanidins
anthocyanosides
beta-zeacarotene
Beef liver
Blakeslea trispora
berry
bioflavonoids
bee products
barbary matrimony vine
crocin
Carnosine
cod liver oil
cyanidin
cornflower
cantaloupe
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Cornus
carotene (unspecified)
crocetin
cocklebur
Crypthecodinium
Celosia
capsanthin
currant
Dunaliella salina
docosahexaenoic Acid
Dunaliella
egg
ergothioneine
Eyebright
eicosapentaenoic acid
fruit
flavonoids
fat liver oil
fish
fatty acids
Fagopyrum
flavoglycosides
fibroblast growth factor
Gac
ginkgo flavone glycoside
Glutathione
gamma-carotene
Haematococcus pluvialis
huckleberry
Idebenone
Lycium
Ligustrum
lipids
Mineral ascorbate
Marine fat
marigold
N-Acetyl Carnosine
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Phaffia rhodozyma
procyanidol
proanthocyanidins
polyunsaturated fat
Pycnogenol
Polygonum
rue
rose
Schizochytrium Oil
Spanish Needle
Schizochytrium
Squid
Salmon Oil
Squash
Tea
Troxerutin
Taurine
Tagetes
Xanthophyll

Other body systems supported by Lycium

Blood
Brain
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Eyes
Glandular System
Immune System
Kidneys
Liver
Lungs
Reproductive System
Senses
Skin
Spleen

Products containing Lycium

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.