Goji Berry (Tcm) for Anti-Aging

Research suggests that goji berry (Lycium barbarum) has a long history of traditional use for anti-aging and general nourishment, and modern pharmacological work has begun identifying the bioactive compounds—including polysaccharides, zeaxanthin dipalmitate, and betaine—that may underlie these effects. The available evidence consists of a 2018 botanical review summarizing historical and ethnobotanical literature alongside contemporary pharmacological findings, and a 2025 laboratory study examining goji berry as part of a five-plant combination in human fibroblast and skin tissue models, where the combination appeared to reduce markers of cellular aging and support collagen production. Both studies point in a supportive direction, but the evidence base is limited in scope—neither study involves human clinical trials, and the laboratory findings in particular cannot be directly extrapolated to real-world outcomes in people. Studies indicate that while the traditional rationale for goji berry's anti-aging reputation has some pharmacological grounding, rigorous clinical research, such as randomized controlled trials, would be needed before stronger conclusions can be drawn.