You may have seen small red dried fruits at health food stores. Sweet and a little sour, kind of like cranberries but not as tart. Those are goji berries.

In TCM, goji berries have a high status. They’re called the “longevity fruit.” That’s not advertising hype. It’s a phrase that’s been used for hundreds of years.

Goji berries “supplement.” What do they supplement? Mainly the liver and kidneys. TCM says “the liver opens into the eyes” — healthy liver, healthy eyes. So the most famous benefit of goji berries is that they’re good for your eyes.

Modern people stare at phones and computers all day. Our eyes are overworked. Dry eyes, sore eyes, blurry vision — these are signs that liver blood is low. Goji berries are exactly what you need. Every day, grab a small handful of goji berries. Steep them in hot water. Drink the water. At the end, eat the berries themselves. Stick with it, and many people find their eyes feel less dry and less tired.

Another great thing about goji berries is that they’re “gentle.” Many supplements are extreme — too hot, causing dry throat and mouth sores, or too cold, causing diarrhea. Goji berries are neither hot nor cold. They’re very mild. Almost anyone can eat them, even for a long time.

What’s the easiest way to eat goji berries? Steep them in water. Put a dozen or so berries in a thermos, add hot water, close the lid, and let them steep for a few minutes. Drink it like tea. You can also throw a handful into congee or sprinkle some into soup. Goji berries go well with many foods.

Common question: do you need to wash goji berries? Yes. They can collect dust while drying. Rinse them quickly with cool water before using.

Goji berries aren’t medicine. They’re food. But they’re really, really good food. A small handful every day — no trouble — works better than many eye drops.