The source is from the mature fruit of Lycium barbarum L., family Solanaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Ningxia, Gansu, and Qinghai, etc. After collected in summer and autumn, the fruits are exposed to the shade until the surface changes into rough, and then exposed to the sun until the peel becomes dry and hard and the sarcocarp soft. The raw can be used for medication.

Medicinal Properties: Sweet in flavor, mild in nature and attributive to the liver, kidney and lung meridians.

Actions: Tonify the kidney and benefit essence, and nourish the liver and improve eyesight.

Application
1. For essence insufficiency of the liver and kidney manifested as sourness and weakness of waist and knees, and emission, it can be combined with Huangjing (Rhizoma Polygonati ), Shudihuang ( Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparata ) and Shayuanzi (Semen Astragali Complanati).
2. For deficiency of liver-yin and kidney-yin manifested as dizziness and blurred vision, it is usually combined with Juhua ( Flos Chrysanthemi), Shudihuang (Rhizoma Rehmanniae Praeparata ), Shanzhuyu ( Fructus Corni), and Shanyao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae Hypogiaucae), etc., such as Qi Ju Dihuang Wan (Bolus).
3. For diabetes, it can be used alone, usually also combined with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ), Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis ), and Tianhuafen (Radix Trichosanthis) , etc.
In addition, it is also used for overstrain-cough due to asthenia of the lung.

Usage and Dosage: 6 -12 g is used in decoction for oral use.