Uses
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. The effectiveness ratings for GOJI are as follows:
Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for…
- Diabetes. Early research shows that taking carbohydrates from goji fruit twice daily for 3 months reduces blood sugar after eating in people with diabetes. It might work best in people who are not taking medicine for diabetes.
- Dry eyes. Early research shows that using eye drops and drinking a beverage containing goji fruit and other ingredients for one month can improve symptoms of dry eyes better than using eye drops alone. It’s not known if the benefit is due to goji fruit, other ingredients, or the combination.
- Quality of life. Some early research shows that drinking the juice for up to 30 days improves the various quality of life measures. Energy, quality of sleep, mental function, bowel regularity, mood, and feelings of contentment seem to improve. Short-term memory and eyesight do not.
- Weight loss. Early research shows that drinking goji juice for 2 weeks while dieting and exercising decreases waist size in overweight adults better than dieting and exercising alone. But drinking the juice doesn’t further improve weight or body fat.
- Blood circulation problems.
- Cancer.
- Dizziness.
- Fever.
- High blood pressure.
- Malaria.
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Sexual problems (impotence).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness for these uses.
Side Effects Of Goji
Goji is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately by mouth, short-term. It has been used safely for up to 3 months. In very rare cases, the fruit can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, liver damage, and allergic reactions.
Warnings & Precautions
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the safety of using goji during pregnancy and breast-feeding. There is some concern that goji fruit might cause the uterus to contract. But this has not been reported in humans. Until more is known, stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Allergy to protein in certain products: Goji might cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to tobacco, peaches, tomatoes, and nuts.
- Diabetes: Goji might lower blood sugar. It might cause blood sugar to drop too much if you are taking medications for diabetes. Monitor your blood sugar levels carefully.
- Low blood pressure: Goji might lower blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already low, taking goji might make it drop too much.
Dosage Of Goji
The appropriate dose of goji depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for goji. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Other
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
