Four phenolic amides, dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine ( 1), trans-N-feruloyloctopamine ( 2), trans-N-caffeoyltyramine ( 3), and cis-N-caffeoyltyramine ( 4), were isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of the root bark of Lycium chinense Miller. All had an anti-fungal effect; compounds 1-3 were potent at 5-10 mug ml(-1) and were without hemolytic activity against human erythrocyte cells. Compound 4 was active at 40 mug ml(-1). All four compounds impeded the dimorphic transition of pathogen, Candida albicans.