The Usage OF Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) Extract for Vison Related Problems and Empowerement OF Kidney’s Qi (Energy)

According to the report on World Vision and the World Health Organization (WHO), “around 11.9 million people worldwide have moderate or severe visual impairment or blindness due to glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and trachoma that could have been avoided.” In the world, 2.2 million people have some type of visual impairment or blindness, making it evident, that vision care is an important topic that deserves more attention [1]. 

Like several countries, Portugal had a mandatory confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused an increase in myopia problems among the youngest in the last year. This increase was due to more time spent indoors, in front of electronic devices such as television and smartphones, with the absence of natural light. These issues were pointed by WHO, based on recent studies from universities in Canada, China, and South America [2]. 

Brazil experienced a similar situation: an increase of vision-related problems during the pandemic, which according to experts, was due to the frequent usage of masks (which increases eye dryness), more hours spent in front of electronic devices (resulting in a reduction of blinking) and a reduction in attendance of ophthalmologists’ appointments imposed by the pandemic itself, or simply caused by the fear to leaving house [3]. 

The Gou Qi Zi or Goji Berry or Lycium barbarum is considered an evergreen shrub deciduous with ellipsoidal reddish-orange berries and a sweet-spicy flavor. Lycium barbarum (fruits) are consumed in several ways, including juices, raw berries, smoothies, mixed with tea, added to morning cereal’s, energy bars or soups. [4]. 

The plant and its fruits contain a wide variety of active secondary metabolites and biological products that are used in medicines, dietary supplements, and functional foods, due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties [4]. 

From a Chinese Medicine point of view, the nature of the Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry) fruit is neutral. It has a sweet taste, which is linked to the Liver, Lung, and Kidney channels and in a dosage of 5 to 15 grams it can brighten the eyes, nourish the Yin, and benefit the Liver and Kidney. Therefore, some of its indications are blurred vision, impotence, pain and weakness in the back, acuity decreased vision, insomnia, dizziness, and tinnitus [5,6]. 

Chinese herbal medicine is a medical system that has evolved empirically over the years. Thousands of years contributed to its development and systematization, which occurred through successive experiences and observations, tasting and ingestion of the most varied animal, plants, and minerals’ substances. Its roots go back to the beginning of history, when all kinds of methods, including trial and error, played an important role in the gradual accumulation of facts that have been handed down to us today. One of the most comprehensive herbal medicine books published in China is the “Chung Yao Ta Tsu Tien”, with two volumes and covering approximately 12,000 medicinal herbs worldwide [7]. 

The word “Phytotherapy” is composed of two radicals: “FITO” which means vegetable, tree, plant, and “THERAPY” which means treatment. Therefore, phytotherapy is a form of treatment in which medicinal herbs are used for therapeutic purposes, found in almost all known civilizations or cultural groups [7]. 

According to Cheng [7], extracts are prepared by dissolving an animal or vegetable solute in an appropriate solvent and then, by evaporating the resulting mixture to the desired consistency. In this case, the solute is Goji Berry, and the solvent is grain alcohol. 

Thus, this article was made with the purpose of researching the usage of the extract, supported by the requirements of other studies in improving vision related problems, such as increasing Kidney’s Qi (energy) and its functions.

The study is characterized within the interventional research - series of cases with descriptive and qualitative approach on the use of Gou Qi Zi extract for related problems with vision, supported by the requirements of other studies in improving vision related problems, such as increasing Kidney’s Qi (energy) and its functions. 

The bibliographic research was carried out in research gate, medline, pubmed and Google Scholar. The selection of articles and texts is in accordance with the individual evaluations of these, having as inclusion criteria scientific articles of greater relevance to the proposed objective. 

As study sample, eight volunteers, both men and women, with ages between 50 and 70 years old, were chosen based on their vision problems, health state and reasons to participate in the study. For a period of three months, three times a day, after the main meals, each volunteer took 40 drops of the extract, diluted in water. As data collection instrument, an interview was made to the participants, at the house of family and friends. Parameters such as age and sex were questioned. Questions such as “Did you have any Western ophthalmic diseases diagnosed?”, “Do you usually go to allopathic medicines for treatment?”, “Do you have any visual or energetic problems?”, “How do you feel about your physical aspect?”, “How did you feel after using Goji Berry Extract?”

The extract was prepared on January 20^th, 2021, with 300g of the herb Gou Qi Zi added to 500 mL of grain alcohol. Then it was stored in a dark bottle covered with a dark cloth. It was kept like this for 2 months (until March 20^th, 2021). After April 20^th it achieved the right conditions to be used, maintaining the intake until the end July. 

The study of the usage of Gou Qi Zi extract for vision related problems is considered a pertinent study due to the world situation related with eye problems explained before. The WHO reveals that millions of people have some type of visual impairment, making it evident, that vision care is a very important and deserves more attention. In general, phytotherapy has a great role in therapy. Therefore, this study is relevant, since there is already scientific evidence that proves its clinical efficiency.

In this study, it was found that in addition to food and cooking, Goji Berry plays an important role in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is believed to enhance the immune system, as well as improving vision, protecting the liver, and improving circulation, among other effects. The results demonstrated that the extract has a functional value and may have potential as an herbal prescription for vision-related problems in general, to decrease blurred vision and increase sharpness. Furthermore, the patients subject to the study, reported an improvement in physical and body energy. Volunteer responses are shown in tables 1 and 2. 

Table 1: Volunteer responses. 

Table 2: Volunteer responses.

Goji Berry or Gou Qi Zi, also known as Wolf Berry, is known to be an extremely nutritious food in Asia and has been widely consumed raw, in juices or wine, fermented into herbal tea or prepared as tinctures, powders and tablets, ingested in salads and widely used in other culinary preparations [4,6]. 

It should be noted that Goji Berry is not just used as a medicine in prescriptions of Chinese Medicine to treat illnesses, but it is also a very popular food consumed by the Chinese in their daily life for general health promotion. Therefore, the demand for the fruit increased significantly in the recent years, becoming an option for people who seek health benefits [8,9]. 

According to Wenli; Shahrajabian; Qi [8], the fruit (Goji Berry) provides eight essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize. One of the most important reasons for the popularity of this fruit is the fact that it contains a high concentration of an antioxidant called Zeaxanthin. This is a lutein-like carotenoid - yellow-orange food pigment, and essential to the body, which cannot synthesize it. It offers innumerous health benefits, such as vision protection and premature aging prevention. 

Still in accordance with Wenli; Shahrajabian; Qi [8], a diet that contains Goji Berry can increase a person's zeaxanthin levels up to 26 times and therefore, improving vision. Besides providing almost twice as much of Vitamin-A as a person needs daily, it contains one third of the recommended daily dose of vitamin-C. It is also rich in important and essential minerals, including iron and potassium. In its constitution it can be found high levels of fiber and protein, as well as amino acids and betaine - also called Trimethyl-Glycine (TMG), a substance related to liver function. 

Lycium barbarum has many biological activities including antidiabetic, antiproliferative, antihypertensive and antioxidant. It protects the central nervous system, reduces the risk of glaucoma, has antitumor activity, prevents chronic diseases such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, hepatitis and, it also helps reducing fatigue and increasing resistance during exercise, which makes it a strong ally in preventing aging [8]. 

When the general properties of Gou Qi Zi were investigated, many health benefits were noticed, such as the capacity to improve vision and to increase Kidney’s energy. This is because according to Chine Traditional Medicine, the eyes are governed by the Liver and when its blood is plentiful and when the Qi’s Liver (energy) is harmonious, tears are secreted normally, which favors vision [10]. Also, the Kidney is the root of the former heaven, the source of the true Yin (Zhen Yin) and the original Yang (Yuan Yang), whose function is to guard a treasure - Jing (Essence). Therefore, the Kidney is the main reserve, which the body needs to maintain and preserve life [11]. 

Among other health benefits, Gou Qi Zi increases the immune system and protects the body against flu by combating infectious processes and by strengthening the body energy. It has anti-stress properties, and it can ensure body’s homeostasis. It helps maintaining blood sugar, potential aids in weight loss and fights cellulite. It possesses antioxidants useful for the eyes and the skin and, it can increase testosterone, helping to treat male infertility [6,8]. 

These aspects are important to this study, since the world is facing post-pandemic conditions, which contributed for lowering people’s immune system and raising stress levels. Also, the volunteers for this study were people with more advanced age, whose Liver and/or Kidney could present energy deficiency. 

As mentioned by GONÇALVES [12], studies carried out using Goji Berry extract for 30 days in adults with ages between 55 and 72 years, suggested that it may “stimulate endogenous factors that protect human cells against oxidative radical damage”. Zeaxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid that is widely distributed in tissues and is the main carotenoid in the lens and macular region of the retina. Based on its molecular structure, zeaxanthin has high antioxidant capacity since it can exert its antioxidant properties by directly quenching Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and by eliminating free radicals, reasons why this carotenoid attenuates visual problems and suppresses oxidative stress in retinal tissues, which may delay lens eye aging [9,13]. 

Based on Chinese Medicine’s view, Gou Qi Zi is mainly used for Liver’s treatment and Kidney’s Yin Deficiency. Dried fruit is commonly used in preparations with 6-15g per dose, taken two to three times a day. It is a source of bioactive compounds with functional properties, but it stll needs further evaluation when used in food or health-promoting formulations [8]. 

Lycium barbarum has been used for over 2,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with the first records dating back to the Tang Dynasty. It is currently part of the Pharmacopoeia of People's Republic of China. The recommended dosage of this dried fruit varies between 5 and 12g according to GAO et al. [9], not differing from LUQUIS; YAU; SON [5] where it varies between 5 and 15g, making it evident that this amount can be consumed daily, as this is a scientific dosage on which the study was based, suggesting that the 40 drops of the extract (3 times a day) may also have the desired effects for the purposes of the study. 

Although, is necessary to consider the structural changes that the Goji Berry fruits can suffer due to high temperatures during more warm months in different areas such as China and Greece, for example [4]. 

For the preparation of an extract, herbs are soaked in alcohol made from rice or sorghum for at least a month. As alcohol has scattering and fast-moving properties, it can increase the speed and the herbs’ effects. Medicinal alcoholic beverages are often used in chronical diseases. Herbs that tone the body like Ren Shen (Ginseng radix) and Gou Qi Zi (Lycii fructus) and, herbs that disperse wind, dampness and cold to treat Bi syndrome like Wu Jia Pi (Acanthopanacis cortex), are often prepared this way. In the application process, the herbal alcoholic beverage is usually taken once a day, in small amounts of 10 to 20 mL [14]. 

The usage of Gou Qi Zi extract has great importance, as this plant has been widely used as a functional ingredient in nutraceuticals since studies were carried out and demonstrated that the Goji Berry plays a crucial role in vision improvement [13,15].

After one of Chinese herbal medicine classes, internet searches for data related with the herb Gou Qi Zi and after learning, through scientific studies, that the carotenoid content in Gou Qi Zi has similar selectivity to human retinal carotenoids, the interest in preparing the extract and making use of its property’s growth. 

Chinese herbs have been widely applied in medicine as drugs for anti-aging due to their few side effects. Considering that millions of people around the world are visually impaired or have eye problem, the study revealed that Goji Berry can help improving the visual field. However, more studies are necessary to ensure a better usage of the herb and extract, a better understanding of its safety, pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, routes of disposition and therapeutic targets will help in optimal use. 

Aging, defined as the accumulation of various deleterious changes in cells and tissues, is commonly associated with reduced physiological functions and is closely related to apoptosis. Likewise, the study of the usage of the extract can conclude that Goji Berry is a toning agent for the Liver and Kidney, providing a boost of Qi (energy) of these main meridians, in addition to a promising anti-aging. 

Out of curiosity, and related to physiological effects of the herb Gou Qi Zi, there are patients that until the present day still use the extract, or eat an exact amount of Goji berries, just because they know the benefits this herb has in their body.

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