gojiberry review

Goji Berries might be better known as the wolfberry, whose plant is distinctly related to tobacco, chili pepper, deadly nightshade, eggplant, tomato, and the potato plants. The US Department of Agriculture Germplasm Resources Information Network also classifies Goji Berries as the plants known as matrimony vine, Duke of Argylls tea tree, cambronera, bocksdorn, Barbary matrimony vine, and the Chinese wolfberry.

Goji Berries are getting much acclaim lately for being health food products, usually marketed as either Himalayan goji or Tibetan goji. One source indicates that Goji Berries have been a mainstay of Traditional Chinese Medicine for around 1,900 years already. According to Chinese legend, Goji Berries were also used by Shen Nung who is believed to have been the First Emperor of China. Goji Berries are now considered a health food because research has shown that it has antioxidants and nutrients aplenty, which may explain why Goji Berries are also now classified as one of the superfruits. Demand for superfruits like Goji Berries is expected to reach the billion-dollar mark by year 2011.

The Goji Berries you may be familiar with are usually of an ellipsoidal shape and bright red, with each of the Goji Berries filled with up to sixty seeds. Goji Berries that are planted in countries in the Northern Hemisphere may ripen in the months of July, August, September and October.

People who were raised as Chinese or Oriental may prefer to call these berries Goji Berries while Western folk may know the berries better as the Wolf Berry or wolfberries. The reason they are named Goji Berries may be because the wolfberries are dubbed Gouqui in the Mandarin Chinese tongue. Despite the relationship in names, some experts believe that Goji Berries were actually cultivated outside China at the start before being brought in to the country.

Nowadays, Goji Berries are planted in commercial quantities in north central China (in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region) and in western China (in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.) The size of a typical plantation of Goji Berries can start at 100 acres and extend to up to 1000 acres in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Ningxia has been found to produce some of the top Goji Berries variety which are sometimes called the red diamonds commercial variety. Ningxia produces very good Goji Berries because this is the area where the Yellow River floodplains exist. In 2001, 13 million kilograms of Goji Berries were harvested in the Ningxia Region alone, which was equivalent to 42% of the overall yield of China for that year.

One problem though with Goji Berries harvested abroad is that they may contain residue of the organochlorine pesticides which are sprayed on the plants to prevent insects from destroying the very delicate berries. This is true regardless of whether the Goji Berries were grown in Tibet or China or any other Asian country. This is why it is very important that Goji Berries food supplement processors be honest about informing the public as to where their Goji Berries were grown and how they were treated before being processed into food supplements.

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Goji berries are wild berries from the hills in the Ningxia Region of China. Also known as Wolfberries, Lycium berries and Gou Ji Zi berries, they have been used in Traditional Mongolian, Tibetan and Chinese medicine for centuries to nourish yin and improve the functioning of the ‘water element’.

The plants grow like bushes with vines that reach over 15 feet. The berries are never touched by hand as they will oxidize and turn black if touched while fresh. They are shaken onto mats, and then dried in the shade. These berries are grown without pesticides or other chemicals in one of the purest places on earth. Of the many varieties of Lycium, the Tibetan Lycium berry has earned the respect of the great Physicians of Tibet over these many centuries.

The Tibetan variety of Lycium now known as ‘Goji’ is considered to be the Mother of all Lyciums! It grows in very remote unpolluted hills and valleys of Tibet and Mongolia, in soil so rich in nutrients that the berries are exploding with this special nurturing vitality.

Tibetan Goji berries are not Chinese wolfberries and it is not correct to call the Chinese wolfberry ‘Goji’. The ancient Tibetan Lycium berry is a different plant then the Chinese wolfberry and grown in a different country. The nutrient dense energy of the Goji berry has been recognized as having the highest in nutrient content of all the 80 plus varieties of Lycium berries on Earth. Many marketers, both Chinese and Western now often call there wolfberries ‘Goji’ to give them special market importance.

The Goji berry grows in profusion in remote wild areas with vines reaching over twenty feet. The small round red berries are harvested in the late summer by being shaken onto collection trays, then washed, inspected and oven dried at controlled low temperature, then inspected and tested again before packaging.

Every year they are tested for purity and that they are free of any chemical pesticides, sulfur or heavy metals. A handful a day is said to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles in healing, promote cheerfulness and brighten the spirit.

They have strong antioxidant, anti-ageing and anticancer properties and are used to boost the immune system, improve hearing, eye-sight, and liver function, maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, strengthen bones and tendons, burn fat, build muscle, increase libido, enhance fertility and reduce morning sickness.

They are a delicious, gentle and soothing tonic fruit that is loaded with available vitality.

Goji berries have the highest content of carotenoids, including beta carotene among all known foods on earth, and can contain up to 500 times more vitamin C than oranges. The fruits also have significant amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. They are rich in amino acids and trace 21 trace minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, and selenium and phosphorous.

Mature fruits contain about 11 mg or iron per 100 grams, beta-sisterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).

Goji berries contain polysaccharides which fortify the immune system. A polysaccharide found in this fruit has been found to be a powerful secretagogue (a substance that stimulates the secretion of rejuvenative human growth hormone by the pituitary gland).

The Goji berry has traditionally been utilized to nurture the heart, strengthen the immune system, facilitate optimal liver function and treat insomnia. It also increases visual perspicacity and, as a
traditional blood tonic, it has a proud heritage in the treatment of forgetfulness, lethargy and anxiety related to blood and chi deficiencies. Recently the subject of various scientific studies
throughout the world, Goji berries have been found to be effective in increasing white blood cells and depressing the activity of cancer cells.

In studies conducted in countries such as Mongolia, Japan, China and Switzerland, researchers have determined that the Goji berry fruit (as well as an extract from the leaves of the plant) is capable of killing some kinds of cancer cells under laboratory conditions. This is thought to be primarily due to the presence of 124ppm of organic Germanium contained within the berries.

According to Japanese studies, organic Germanium may be useful in the treatment of liver, lung, and uterine, cervical and testicular cancer in combination with other drugs. It would appear that Goji berries, as a consequence of the Germanium as well as other constituents of the plant, are capable of inhibiting the hydrogen ion in the cancer cells, thereby depressing the synthesis of cancerous DNA. Many more studies are yet to be conducted and scrutinized by the medical and scientific communities, but it would appear that in essence the Goji berries might be helping to lower the reproductive capacity of cancerous cells.

It is said in Tibet that eating these ‘Goji’ berries in the morning will make you happy the entire day, with such a practice, eventually you can’t stop smiling.

The taste is not too difficult to describe, some say between a cranberry and a cherry, others say they taste of raspberry and plum, you will have to decide for yourself!

Savior each berry individually or add to hot and cold cereals, blend fruit juice drinks, add a handful to your water bottle and eat them as you drink, use in trail mix, soups, whole fruit and nut bars, baked goods, tea and fruit juice blends.

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There are more then 41 types of Goji berries all over the world. Most of these types are cultivated in the orient. The most famous and widely spread are Lyceum barbarum, Lyceum Chinese and Lyceum ferocissimum.

Lycii berry, otherwise known to Chinese herbalists as Chinese Wolfberry is a bright red, almost chewy berry with a taste very similar to Raisins. It has been used as a general nutrient tonic for many years and Chinese medicine refers to it as a cooling tonic.
It contains beta-sitosterol, Betaine, Beta-carotene, Niacin, Pyridoxine, and Ascorbic acid.

They come from the Solanaceae family which also includes the tomato, green pepper, eggplant and potato that most Americans are familiar with.
Lycium chinense is sometimes referred to as Chinese wolfberry, matrimony vine or Chinese boxthorn. It is very closely related to Lycium barbarum and mainly grows in the Hebei province of China.

Lycium barbarus grows in various regions of Asia such as Tibet and Inner Mongolia but it thrives in an area called the goji belt. There are several provinces of China and areas in Tibet where these vines grow in the wild. In these areas the Lycium barbarum goji berry is highly revered. Ningxia, China is found in this goji belt and is considered one of the finest places for the goji vines to grow.

In Ningxia the soil is usually alkaline and very fertile. The temperatures can get very cold and very hot. It is this type of soil and climate that grows the largest, plumpest, most beautiful goji berries. The fruits are a deep red color, contain few seeds and have an exquisitely sweet taste. (As a side note, it is the rich, fertile, yet harsh climate of Alaska that brings the highest antioxidant blueberries found in the US.

Studies done at New Brunswick Labs which extensively investigated blueberries grown in the US have shown a direct correlation between harsh climate and antioxidants in their fruit. It seems the plant, if it has all the nutrients it needs to be healthy, will actually make more substances to protect it from the harsh environment.)

The people of Ningxia are simply crazy about their goji berries, which have always grown wild on the hillsides and which they have been cultivating for more than 500 years.

In Ningxia, goji legends based on history and tradition abound. Years ago the residents of Nanqui, a town in the province of Ningxia, were bestowed with the title Long Life Village by the emperor because they had so many centurians (people over the age of 100) living in their village.

Another area which lays at the foot of the Tianshan mountains (a mountain range nearly equal to the Himalayan mountain peaks) called Xinjiang, where there is pure snow runoff and harsh temperatures similar to those in Ningxia, also has goji berries of similar quality to those found in Ningxia.

Of course the regions of Hebei, Gansu, Qinghai and Shanxi, also in the Chinese goji belt, respectfully disagree that either of these two provinces have berries that are any better than theirs.

All these provinces are located along mountain ranges in one particular area of China.Goji supremacy is also claimed by the Tibetans. There are also Inner Mongolians, Koreans, and Japanese who grow and harvest the highly revered goji berry.

Ningxia, China is legendary for amazingly healthy people. The Chinese national census recently reported that the number of Ningxia residents living more than 100 years exceeds the national average by an amazing 400%. Ningxia locals now admit their health secret lies in the locally grown goji berries – wolfberries.

Goji Berries – Wolfberries – are a Chinese national treasure. The good health and vitality of the Ningxia elderly has long been attributed to goji berries – wolfberries. To the people of the province, a bowl of fresh goji berries – wolfberries – a day is part of life. Its health benefits have been extolled for generations. In fact even today, the Ningxia goji berry – wolfberry – is considered a national treasure.

In ancient times, the Chinese people were said to have three cherished tonics for health. They were ginseng, ling tzi, and goji berries – wolfberries.

According to ancient Chinese texts, goji berries – wolfberries:

Nourish the yin
Support the blood
Help support the kidneys and liver
Strengthen the eyes
Fortify the muscles and bones
Enhance the chi or life force

The people who consumed this fruit apparently lived free of common diseases like arthritis, cancer and diabetes. Moreover, their life expectancies reached over 100 years.

Both the wolfberry and ginseng have been highly regarded for centuries as the foremost nutritional and therapeutic plants in China. In fact, the Chinese hold a strong belief that human life might be extended significantly by using either of these herbs for an extended period of time.

The Chinese Wolfberry contained over 18 amino acids (that is six times higher in proportion than bee pollen), 21 trace minerals, more beta carotene than carrots, and an astonishing 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges. It is also packed with vitamin B1, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.

Fruits and pedicels of Chinese Wolfberry were effective in increasing white blood cells, protecting the liver and relieving hypertension. The alcoholic extract of wolfberry fruits inhibited tumor growth in mice by 58%, and the protein of wolfberry displayed an insulin-like action that was effective in promoting fat decomposition and reducing blood sugar.

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Goji berries or Tibetan Goji berries are technically known as Lycium Barabarum (Latin). They belong to the family of Solanaceae (flowering plants) which also have members like potatoes, tomatoes and tobacco. It is quite surprising to know that over eighty varieties of Lycium berry are found in nature. One of the most famous include the Chinese Wolfberry which is considered by Chinese healers as the best cure for male sexual dysfunction. But to be on a more technical ground, Chinese Wolfberry is just a genetic cousin of Lycium Barbarum and is not exactly a true Goji berry.

Goji berries are perhaps one of the richest sources of vitamins and other nutrients. It has been clinically proven that they contain over 18 different amino acids and vitamins like B1, B2, B6, C and E. It is surprising but a truth that this fruit contains more Beta carotene than carrots and is perhaps the best source of vitamin C around. Only Australian billygoat plum and South American camu camu are richer than Goji berries where vitamin C is concerned.

Goji berries are also rich source of minerals like iron, calcium, zinc, selenium, phosphorus and germanium. With all that, they are also a rich source of antioxidants.

Legend is that hundreds of years ago, a group of Buddhist monks in the mountains of Tibet saw small red berries growing behind a well. When they gave it a try, it tasted quite well and included these berries in their daily diet. What was surprising was that they found out that they outlived other monks. They came to the conclusion that these berries made all the difference.

For centuries they went on reaping rich benefits out of including Gojies in their daily diet. It was quite later that west became aware of the benefits of Gojies and started using it and its use spread all round. And there are enough reasons for this popularity. It starts with the belief that it increases ones life span considerably. It is also believed that it has good healing powers. It works wonders for cuts, burns, abrasions and also rashes.

You can easily get extracts of Goji berries from most health stores. These extracts are turned into creams and remedies. As of now these products are very expensive but if you decide to buy online, you can save a lot of money. And if you are thinking of buying in bulk the cost would get a lot cheaper. It goes without saying that Goji extracts are amongst the best health product that is natural. And more and more people are going for it.

If you look at health food stores, you would find that entire shelves have been filled with products containing Goji berries including drinks, skin care lotions, cosmetics and remedies. They benefit those who are looking for natural skin product that are non-toxic.

Goji berries have been grown in China, Tibet and Mongolia for ages. Chinese medicine has always used them for centuries. It is used with lycium bark and is believed to boost your immune system, circulatory system, proves great for liver and kidney protection, improves your vision, and works wonder for your skin. Gojies are surely very rich in vitamins and minerals but what is more it is also the best in Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) scale. It is used to measure the antioxidant levels in any food. And studies have revealed that they contain 25000 units per 100 milligrams which is about five times more than the fruit (prunes) that comes second on the scale and about 15 times more than the vegetable that comes second on the list.

And what is the importance of antioxidant? Well it is the primary ingredient that fights the aging process. It is quite natural that many believe that those berries are the best and the most powerful anti-ageing food that is around. And that is why it has also found topical applications and is one of the key ingredients in skin care products.

It is true that Goji berries have just found application in topical uses, yet you can find it being used in a wide range of skin care products right form creams and lotions to every other product. And that is why most of the new natural skin care product has Gojies as its ingredient.

If you want to have those berries and want to assure that they are perfect, go for Goji berries that claim to be cold-pressed, have no solvents and have been air-dried. Also, preservatives must not be used. Heat processing and other chemicals, if added, reduces its benefits greatly.

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Goji berry is a bright red colored berry fruit which is chewable and similar in taste like raisins. There are generally two varieties of Goji berries found in nature which are used for their medicinal values in human beings. One is known as Lycium Chinense while the other is known as Lycium Barbarum.

Lycium Chinense is found mainly in China and is more popularly known as Chinese wolfberry or matrimony vine whereas the other variety of Lycium Barbarum is commonly grown in Asian region of Tibet and Mongolia. The fruit of Goji berries has been popular and in use for centuries in all Asian regions but it was unknown to the rest of the world till recently. The Tibetan species of Goji berry is considered as a beneficial sexual tonic which is used for enhancing fertility in men and women.

There has been a thorough scientific study on this wonder plant of Goji Berry which is found to be rich in natural nutrients. It comprises amino acids, germanium which is used as anti-cancer trace mineral, proteins, antioxidant carotenoids, Vitamin C, B-complex, vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Apart from these, it contains Beta-Sitosterol which is an anti-inflammatory agent and also beneficial in lowering cholesterol. It also contains Cyperone that maintains heart and blood pressure level in our body. Goji berry is also regarded as used as anti-fungal and anti-bacterial medicine.

The natives of China have adapted Goji berry as an integral part of their daily life. They have become so accustomed to this fruit that they dont start their day until they have taken fresh Goji berries in their morning meals. Ancient Chinese men used Goji berries or wolfberries for the treatment of liver and kidneys related diseases. They believed that consumption of this fruit regularly avoided the occurrence of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and arthritis. It was also used as anti-aging tonic. Chinese still believe that Goji berry is a natural herb for increasing the life span of a human being.

Today, science has proved that these ancient beliefs are not mere guess but proven truths. Scientific facts have been given behind these beliefs.

Nowadays Goji berry is also available in various forms. It is not necessary to take raw Goji berries only. There are processed varieties of Goji products available in the market like Goji juice and Goji tablets. Health experts recommend the consumption of at least 30 grams daily to get the maximum results on your health.
For More about Goji Berry Visit here http://www.gojiberries.us/

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