Understand Plants

Posts Tagged ‘Himalayan Goji Berries’

The super food goji berry has high concentration of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants – courtesy recent research. Some studies are often mentioned in the promotional journals of health food supplement manufacturers to bolster the claims. Also known as wolfberry, this highly sought after subtropical fruit has a slight tangy taste, and belong to the nightshade (Solonaceae) family. No surprise, the demand for goji berry juice is sky scrapping and is expected to touch the billion dollar mark in sales by the year 2011. Highly looked upon as China’s national treasure, goji berry is finally making its way to the West.

Goji berries are principally grown in the northwestern parts of Tibet and China. In fact, goji berries are grown in the wild throughout the temperate regions of China. For ages, traditional Chinese medicine has incorporated the benefits of goji berry juice as an integral part of its therapeutic must haves and is even used in soups, teas and rice meals in China. The small, vibrantly red, and extremely delicate Himalayan goji berries come from the Lycium plant, which is an evergreen bush with tall vines reaching up to 10 to 15 feet. It calls for sunlight and grows best in hot and dry summers. The small, red raisins with a sweet and sour taste contain possibly the highest number of nutrients than any other fruit on the planet has.

The benefits of raw organic goji berries are endless to say the least. These include protection of the liver, better sexual function and higher fertility, improvement in blood circulation and so on. By increasing stamina and giving strength to the legs, goji berry is believed to improve physical performance. It has also proved its merit in the prevention of age-related eyesight deterioration, reduction of cholesterol levels, and relief from menstrual pains. It addresses the healing of hepatitis and cancer. Rich in 18 amino acids and 21 minerals like zinc, copper, iron, germanium, calcium, selenium, and phosphorus, goji berries have the vital elements required for a healthy body. Organically grown goji berries are a great source of carotenoids. The high antioxidant content makes these berries extremely prized. Presence of polysaccharides, which are sugar molecules in goji berry, supports the immune system of the body. Being moderately low in calories and fat content, this fruit also helps in the process of weight loss. Of late it has been found that cancer patients elicited better response when goji was added to their medical course or therapy. Perhaps the anti-oxidants present in this “health food’ helps to prevent cancer cell growth.

After knowing the health benefits of goji berry, the next question that strikes the mind is which type of goji berry is most beneficial. There is no ideal answer to this question, but the two most preferred types include Dried Goji Berry and Goji Berry Juice.

Dried Goji Berries: One of the most versatile forms of goji berries are Organic Dried Goji Berries. They can be consumed directly or can be used in various recipes. The advantage of having them raw is that they do not lose their nutrition value.

Goji Berry Juice: Goji juice is the most popular form of having goji berry. Besides, it is more convenient to have it as juice than consuming dried goji berries. They can be simply crushed in a blender and served by mixing in milk or other dairy products. Thus, it doesn’t stick to the teeth unlike goji fruit.

Though there are several portals on the Web, what gives an edge over others is the availability of genuine goji berry products. The latest on their list of products is the mouth watering chocolate goji clusters.

Many people are unfamiliar with goji berries and the history that is behind them. Many centuries ago it was said that they were found growing near a well next to a Tibetan Buddhist Temple which is located in the Himalayan mountain ranges. It is also said that it was these Buddhist monks who were the first to drink the juice of these goji berries and were said to have lived for much longer than most people during those times.

So throughout the next centuries to come, the juice from goji berries became a stable part of the Buddhist monks diets and this remained a secrets for many years until now. People are starting to become aware of the potential health benefits of goji berries and are starting to take the plunge. Experts are researching to see if this assumption is actually true, however there are many cases throughout history that back this fact up and for most people this is enough.

What are Goji Berries and how do they Work?

The Lycium Barbarum berry grows on a bush that bristles with vine off-shoots. The plant is found primarily in the Himalayan region of Central Asia. Traditionally, the goji berries are never touched by hands as this will cause them to spoil and turn black. They are shaken onto mats and then dried in the shade. The berries can be eaten “as is” like raisins, or they can be cold-pressed just off the vine and their juice extracted.

The goji berry contains powerful antioxidants that slow the aging process, strengthens the immune system and the heart, and has been used to treat ADD/ADHD, allergies, athletic performance, cancer, chronic fatigue, HIV, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia and anxiety. It contains essential amino acids, vitamin C, vitamin E, Omega 6 fatty acid, Linoleic acid, B-complex vitamins, and more beta-carotene than any other substance on earth, including carrots.

There are many followers of goji berries who say that they actually have experienced enhancements in sexual performance and fertility. In fact in some countries, goji berries are used by women to prevent any form of morning sickness during the early stages of pregnancy. One other thing that thing that has come out of Asia is that many elderly Asian women believe that drinking the juice from goji berries can actually reduce the symptoms of menopause.

Study groups in Asia performed the first scientific research on goji berries. In these studies, which are being replicated in America and Europe, elderly subjects were given the berries once a day. 67 percent of the subjects were found to have doubled white-cell counts, greatly increasing their immune system. Appetite improved among 95 percent of the subjects, 95 percent reported more restful sleep, and 35 percent reported increased sexual energy.

There are many trials that are underway in a few different countries that are testing to see in the affect that goji berries has on diabetes and many other diseases. Many scientists believe that goji berries have the potential to increase a persons’ immune system so drastically that the body is then able to heal itself more effectively. These studies will indicate whether or not this information is true.

So the question remains, are goji berries beneficial for you and your health. They are currently a little expensive but well worth a try.

Forty or more different types of Goji Berries, also known as the Chinese Wolfberry or Snowberry, are known and can be found throughout the world. Gojis are of the boxthorn species in the family which contains such culinary favorites as the potato, tomato, eggplant, and chili. Many other colorful names have been associated with this incredible plant over the years from Barbary Matrimony Vine to Argyll’s Tea Tree.

Long considered as both a nutritious food and as a medicinal plant, legend has it that the renowned Chinese herbalist, agriculturalist, and first emperor Shen Nung discovered the power of Goji berries in about 2800 BC. Use in Chinese medicine has been documented for over 1900 years.

So, why is the western world just learning of this incredible antioxidant in the 21st century? Commercially available Goji berries have been only locally harvested in the northern regions of China until recently. Organic means of producing the fruits are becoming widely available and the dried fruits hold their healthful qualities well during shipment. Most Gojis are ground shipped rather than flown to maintain nutrients. The most sought after species are known as Tibetan or Himalayan Goji berries.

All are considered Super-foods containing more antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetable. In fact, the humble Goji berry contains nearly 5 times the antioxidants than dried prunes. Antioxidants are measured on the Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity (ORAC) scale which is used to measure a food’s ability to absorb free radicals.

While prunes weigh at between 5,000-6,000 ORAC units, Goji berries can boast over 25,000 units. Many articles have been written about the power of broccoli as a great antioxidant, yet this highly touted vegetable contains a mere 900 ORAC units – 25 times less than the Goji Berry!

What about calcium? The Goji berry has oranges beat hands down. In fact, in terms of total nutrition, Goji berries have more beta-carotene than carrots and more iron than can be found in choice cuts of red meat.

B vitamins and antioxidants decrease the risks of cancers, including serious skin cancers, and heart attack. Polysaccharides, known to enhance the body’s immune system, abound in Goji berries, which also contain an abundance of amino acids.

Goji berries and Goji juice are flavorful, as well. Somewhere between a dried cherry and a cranberry, these fruits are not heavy like prunes or raisins. They are light and crunchy making them a great alternative when it comes to getting the recommended 5 servings of fruit and veggies per day. They fit easily in a purse, briefcase, or lunchbox – perfect for people on the go.

The berries are wonderful eaten as dried fruit, but are excellent additions to trail mixes, cereals, breads, pancakes, and muffins. They can be used instead of raisins, blueberries, dates, cranberries, or other fruits in any recipe. Chinese recipes call for them in many fish, soup, and vegetable dishes. Goji tea is also considered a wonderful soothing drink.

If you have a true sweet tooth, try adding Gojis to homemade rice crisp bars. Another fun homemade treat is to add them to salty snack mixes made with cereal squares and Worcestershire sauce. Gojis have a nutty, fruity taste that is not too sweet.

Whether you try Goji berries as a stand-alone snack, in cooking, or as a great juice pick-me-up, the health benefits are not to be missed. It is rumored that Gojis also improve libido, but, that is something best left to the individual Goji user to determine.