Lycium barbarum is not a medicine for tonifying kidney-yang deficiency, but a medicine for tonifying kidney-yin deficiency. Lycium barbarum nourishes liver and kidney, and is suitable for patients with liver and kidney deficiency, essence and blood deficiency (deficiency of both qi and yin) and spleen deficiency with loose stools.

The symptoms of kidney yin deficiency are: five upset, hot mouth, dry mouth, poor sleep, red tongue, less coating on the tongue and rapid pulse.

The symptoms of kidney-yang deficiency are: cold limbs, chills, pallor, impotence, premature ejaculation, listlessness, pale tongue, thin tongue coating and slow pulse.