Evidence supporting the use of: Lycium
For the health condition: Insomnia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Lycium, most commonly known as goji berry (Lycium barbarum), has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, Lycium is believed to nourish the liver, kidneys, and blood, and is sometimes included in formulas aimed at improving sleep quality or treating insomnia, especially when insomnia is thought to result from deficiencies or imbalances of yin, qi, or blood. However, these uses are rooted in historical and anecdotal practice rather than robust clinical research.

There is very limited scientific evidence to specifically support Lycium’s efficacy for treating insomnia. Most modern research on Lycium focuses on its antioxidant, immune-modulating, and neuroprotective properties, with very few studies examining sleep outcomes. A handful of small studies and animal experiments suggest that Lycium polysaccharides may have stress-reducing or neuroprotective effects, which could, in theory, impact sleep. However, these findings are preliminary, indirect, and not sufficient to establish Lycium as a proven remedy for insomnia.

In summary, the use of Lycium for insomnia is primarily justified by traditional use, not by substantial scientific validation. The current evidence supporting its use for this condition is weak (rated 1 out of 5), and more rigorous clinical trials are needed to assess its effectiveness and safety for sleep-related disorders.

More about Lycium
More about Insomnia

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amber
amino acids
anamu
anemarrhena asphodeloides
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anise
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ashwagandha
aster root
atractylone
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balsam
banyan
bayleaf
benegut perilla (proprietary)
betony
big quaking grass
black cumin
black seed
blackboard tree
blackthorn
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
brahmi
Bupleurum
cactus
calamus
calcium
Calea zacatechichi
California poppy
cannabidiol
cannabinol
Capitate Valerian
carry me seed
Carthamus
cassia bark
catnip
Centella asiatica
Centella triterpenes
chamomile
cherimoya
cherry
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
cinnamon
citron
Clary sage
Clerodendrum indicum
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coptis chinensis
corktree
Corydalis
cowslip
Cyathula
Cymbopogon martini
David\'s milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
dragonhead
elephant\'s head
elk antler
Embelia
Erodium cicutarium
European Elder
fennel
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
Flueggea suffruticosa
frankincense
fringed pink
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
ganoderma
Gardenia jasminoides
Gelsemium
geraniol
giant blazingstar
Glycine
goji berry
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
heartwood
Homalomena
honeybush
hops
Indian frankincense
jasmine
Jatamansi
Jatoba
jujube
jujubosides
kava
kavalactones
kiwi
kudzu
Kukicha
L-tryptophan
labrador tea
lactium casein decapeptide
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
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lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
lily
linalool
linden
Lindera
lingzhi
little ironweed
longan
loquat
Loranthus
lotus
lotus seed
lupulinum
Lycium
maca
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mace
magnesium
magnolia
magnolol
mallow
Marine lipid
Marjoram
Matapalo Tree
Melatonin
Mesua
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Milk Protein
Mimosa
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passionflower
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Patchouli oil
peach
perilla
Persimmon
phlorotannins
phytocannabinoids
Pimpinella
pollen
Polygala
polygala root
Polygonatum
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polysaccharides
poppy
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Premna
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purslane
quail egg
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reishi mushroom
rice
Rooibos
rose
rose oil
Rubiaceae
rue
saffron
Safranal
sage
Salvia
Sandalwood
Sarivan
Schisandrins
Scoparia dulcis
scrophularia root
Sedanenolide
Self-Heal
Semecarpus anacardium
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Shankhpushpi
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skullcap
soursop
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Sweet Orange alcohol
Sweet Woodruff
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Terminalia
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Valerenic acid
Valerian root
Verbena
Vervain
Vetiver
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Products containing Lycium

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.