Lycium barbarum, red as rouge and bright as agate, is the fruit of Lycium barbarum of Solanaceae or Lycium barbarum of Ningxia. Also known as screwdriver, sweet rapeseed, red and green pepper, sperm and so on. The ancients called it "Xiancao" and "the staff of the Queen Mother of the West", which means a godsend. Health-preserving physicians and medical scientists of all ages have attached great importance to the nourishing function of Lycium barbarum. As early as "Shennong Herbal Classic", it was pointed out that "long-term service strengthens bones and muscles"; "Notes on Materia Medica" and "Records of Famous Doctors" all say that Lycium barbarum is good at "replenishing essence"; Herbal dietotherapy also says: "If it can benefit people, it will be useless". Li Shizhen summarized the main function of Lycium barbarum in Compendium of Materia Medica as "nourishing kidney, moistening lung and improving eyesight", which was concise and practical.
Deficiency of kidney yin, liver blood deficiency, causes soreness of waist and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, nocturnal emission and other symptoms, so Lycium barbarum should be used. Lycium barbarum is especially good at improving eyesight, so it is commonly known as "discerning person". Chinese wolfberry is often used by doctors in past dynasties to treat blurred vision and night blindness caused by liver blood deficiency and kidney yin deficiency. The famous prescription Qiju Dihuang Pill takes Lycium barbarum as the main medicine. People also use Lycium barbarum to treat chronic eye diseases. Modern medical research has found that Lycium barbarum can slightly inhibit the deposition of liver fat in liver cells and promote the regeneration of liver cells.
In addition, it also has the function of regulating blood pressure and respiratory excitement. As a nutrient, Lycium barbarum is rich in carotene besides general nutrients, which has the functions of anti-cancer, anti-aging, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, and enhancement of immunity. Lycium barbarum is a kind of health food with high nutritional and medicinal value. Old people may wish to eat it often, which can strengthen muscles and bones and prolong life.