Evidence supporting the use of: Lycium
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Lycium, commonly known as goji berry or wolfberry, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for supporting general vitality and longevity. In TCM, Lycium is classified as a tonic herb, and it is traditionally believed to nourish the liver, kidney, and lung systems. Weakness of the heart or general “heart deficiency” (often characterized by fatigue, palpitations, and poor circulation) may be treated with Lycium as part of multi-herb formulas aimed at boosting “qi” and “blood.” However, these uses are rooted in traditional concepts rather than direct evidence of effects on heart muscle function or cardiovascular health as understood in modern medicine.
There is limited modern scientific research specifically investigating Lycium’s effects on heart function or cardiac weakness. Some preclinical studies suggest potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering effects of Lycium, which could hypothetically benefit cardiovascular health. However, clinical trials directly supporting its use for heart weakness or heart failure are lacking. Thus, while Lycium is traditionally used for supporting the heart and general vitality in TCM, scientific validation for this specific use remains minimal.
Other ingredients used for Heart (weakness)
AbaloneAconite
Ajuga
Allicin
Almond fruit
ambergris
amino acids
Amor seco
Angelica
anthocyanidins
apple
apricot
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine orotate
arjuna
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
aster root
avocado
bacoside
banana
Bassia scoparia
bayleaf
bee pollen
Beef liver
beet
bilberry
black cumin
black seed
borassus palm
bovine
bovine heart
catecholamine
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
cocarboxylase
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
commiphora
D-Ribose
Digitalis
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish oil
fish protein
flat-stem milk-vetch
flavanones
flavans
flavonols
flavonones
forskohlii root
foxglove
ginseng
Glycoside
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hazelnut
Hellebore
Higenamine
Indian coraltree
Indian fagonia
inula racemosa
iron
jujube
kale
Khella
kiwi
knotweed
Kokilaksha
l-carnitine
L-taurine
licorice root
ligustilides
lotus
Lycium
magnesium
Marine fat
Marine lipid
Milk
Millet
Moringa
Morus
Motherwort
Nymphaea nouchali
omega-3 fatty acids
Onosma bracteatum
Ophiopogon
orotic acid
paw paw
peanut
pear
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
peony
Peptides
Phosphocreatine
Polygonatum
Polygonum
protein
Prunus
purslane
reishi mushroom
ribose
root tuber
Rosabin
Safed musli
safflower oil
Sarivan
Schizochytrium Oil
Scotch Broom
seaweed
Shilajit
spirulina
suma
Terminalia
turmeric
ubiquinol
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
Walnut
Wax Gourd
White Tea
Winter Begonia
Wulinshen
Xanthophyll
Yerba buena
Zinc
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Lycium
Aging (prevention)Alzheimer's Disease
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Bloodshot Eyes
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Constipation (adults)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Free Radical Damage
Glaucoma
Hair (loss or thinning)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Inflammation
Influenza
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Mood Swings
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Osteoporosis
Psoriasis
Stress
