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

Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava root
kudzu
l-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
valerian root
vitamin B6
zinc
catnip
tangerine
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Angelica
Apigenin
Anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
Atractylone
Betony
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Blackthorn
Balsam
Bayleaf
Big Quaking Grass
Banyan
Brahmi
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cactus
Cyathula
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Cannabinol
Cymbopogon Martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
Corktree
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Calamus
Cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
Dragonhead
David's Milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
Elk antler
Elephant's Head
Embelia
Glycine
jasmine
Lotus
Lily
Little ironweed
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mimosa
Orchid
Poppy
Rose
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Sweet Orange alcohol
Vervain
walnut

Products containing Lycium

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