Tag Archives: Latin Name

Goji And Polysaccharides

No plant on earth grows under more stressful conditions than does the goji. It was not surprising when scientists found the little red berry chock full of highly bioactive polysaccharides.

Bioactive polysaccharides are a family of complex carbohydrates that are bound to proteins. They are produced by some plants as an extremely effective defense mechanism against attack against today’s environmental issues and attacks on our bodies. When we eat plants that are rich in polysaccharides, these protective effects are bestowed upon us. Until recent years, scientist had put all polysaccharides together with other carbohydrates such as starches and sugars. They had considered them to be of value only as a source of energy. All that changed when it was discovered that certain types of polysaccharides could cause beneficial changes to the human body.

Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.

LBP polysaccharides proved to have exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars (glycoconjugates), rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and galactose- that are necessary for proper immune function and cells to communicate. In fact, goji may be the richest source of glyconutrients yet found.

Scientists tested goji berry samples looking for polysaccharide content. They found that there was great variation in levels of LBP’s among the berries from different regions. Berries that are said to be highly effective contain the full range of LBP and not just one or two. Each of the four main polysaccharides has their own distinct benefit. Studies show, for the highest biological activity, all polysaccharides must be present.

Research strongly suggests that goji’s unique polysaccharides work in the body as directors and carriers of cell information and therefore command and control many of the body’s biochemical defense systems.

Four primary bioactive polysaccharides were discovered in Lycium Barbarum (Latin name for goji) named LBP (Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides). These four were named LBP1, LBP2, LBP3, and LBP4.

LBP polysaccharides proved to have exceptional sources of the essential cell sugars (glycoconjugates), rhamnose, xylose, glucose, mannose, arabinose and galactose- that are necessary for proper immune function and cells to communicate. In fact, goji may be the richest source of glyconutrients yet found.

Research strongly suggests that goji’s unique polysaccharides work in the body as directors and carriers of cell information and therefore command and control many of the body’s biochemical defense systems.

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Goji Berries: Mother Nature’s Vine-Grown Vitamins

428755269 db96a56157 m Goji Berries: Mother Natures Vine Grown Vitamins

For centuries on end, herbalists in Tibet and Mongolia have recommended small red berries called Goji as a remedy for those suffering from a variety of problems. In fact, the people of Tibet and Mongolia hold a two-week annual festival in honor of the goji berry. Many of them have nicknamed the goji berry happy berry because in common folklore to eat goji in the morning will lead to smiles all day.

But respect for the goji berry isnt confined to the foothills of Tibet and Mongolia. The goji berry has been used for hundreds of years as a tonic in Chinese medicine. During the Tang dynasty (A.D. 772-842), poet Liu Yuxi wrote a poem celebrating the nourishment of body and spirit brought about by the goji berry. Without a doubt, the people of this region of the world love the goji berry. But the goji berrys introduction to the Western world is still fairly recent, so the berry remains a relatively unknown fruit for a large fraction of the worlds population. So what is a goji berry? And why is it so loved?

What is a goji berry?

The term goji berry technically refers to the Tibetan goji berry, also known as Lycium Barbarum (its Latin name). It is a member of a family of flowering plants known as the Solanaceae, a plant family which also includes within its ranks potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes. Roughly eighty different varieties of lycium berry exist, including the Chinese Wolfberry (often touted by Chinese healers as a cure for male sexual dysfunction). However, the Chinese Wolfberry is only considered a genetic cousin of Lycium Barbarum and not a true goji berry.

Goji berries grow on small green-leafed vines that yield a bright red fruit with a shape most resembling a raisin. The berries are extremely delicate, and during harvest, they are shaken from the vine rather than being picked. To avoid spoiling, they are slowly dried in the shade. The texture of a goji berry is very chewy, and its taste is often described as a cross between a raisin and a cranberry. Several additional names are used to describe the goji berry, such as happy berry, gouqi, and gou qi zi.

What makes the goji berry so potent?

Goji berries are believed to be a rich source of vitamins and nutrients with each goji berry purported to contain 18 different amino acids and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, and E. It is believed that goji berries contain more beta carotene than is found in carrots of equal size. And the goji berry is touted as one of the richest sources of vitamin C in the world, trailing only the Australian billygoat plum and the South American camu camu. Goji berries are also believed to contain zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorus, selenium, and germanium in varying quantities. As a rich source of many of the vitamins and minerals essential to nutrition, goji berries are filled with antioxidants.

The unique properties endemic to the Tibetan goji berry make it one of the more fascinating fruits on Earth. As consumption of the goji berry grows in popularity in other parts of the world, our knowledge of the plant itself is certain to increase. Until then, do yourself a favor and enjoy a delicious goji berry!

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Goji Berries Mother Natures Vine grown Vitamins

4753859015 8ed12c4b74 m Goji Berries Mother Natures Vine grown Vitamins

But respect for the goji berry isn?t confined to the foothills of Tibet and Mongolia. The goji berry has been used for hundreds of years as a tonic in Chinese medicine. During the Tang dynasty (A.D. 772-842), poet Liu Yuxi wrote a poem celebrating the nourishment of ?body and spirit? brought about by the goji berry. Without a doubt, the people of this region of the world love the goji berry. But the goji berry?s introduction to the Western world is still fairly recent, so the berry remains a relatively unknown fruit for a large fraction of the world?s population. So what is a goji berry? And why is it so loved?The term goji berry technically refers to the Tibetan goji berry, also known as Lycium Barbarum (its Latin name). It is a member of a family of flowering plants known as the Solanaceae, a plant family which also includes within its ranks potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes. Roughly eighty different varieties of lycium berry exist, including the Chinese Wolfberry (often touted by Chinese healers as a cure for male sexual dysfunction). However, the Chinese Wolfberry is only considered a genetic cousin of Lycium Barbarum and not a true goji berry.What makes the goji berry so potent?The unique properties endemic to the Tibetan goji berry make it one of the more fascinating fruits on Earth. As consumption of the goji berry grows in popularity in other parts of the world, our knowledge of the plant itself is certain to increase. Until then, do yourself a favor and enjoy a delicious goji berry!

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What is a Goji Berry?

4106332075 2019c9a2d9 m What is a Goji Berry?

Until about 2 years ago, almost nobody in the Western Civilization ever hear of
a Goji berry or a Goji berry plant. Often referred to as the fountain of youth
plant, this amazing plant, indigenous to the Tibetan and Mongolian Himalayas,
is really making the scene nowadays. Its Latin name is, Lycium Barbarum, there
are over 40 different varieties, or strains, around the world.

Whats so special about this plant? For one thing, the Goji berries are the
richest source of antioxidants of any food source yet discovered. Antioxidants
neutralize free radicals that can damage or destroy our DNA and healthy cells.
This can lead to premature aging, and increase the chances of being afflicted by
cancer, heart disease, HBP, diabetes, Alzheimers Disease, Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, and numerous other maladies running rampart in our Society.

Another unique quality about the Goji berry plant is the 4 unique
polysaccharides it possesses. At least one of these can aid in boosting the
immune system. Another is known to potentially stimulate the Pituitary Gland
located in the anterior of the brain to increase the production of Human Growth
Hormone (HGH). As we get older, our glands often secrete fewer hormones, and the
HGH the Master Hormone in our bodies, controls the function of the other
hormones in our bodies.

The Baby Boomer Generation is mostly coming into their 60s and 70s, and health
concerns are taking Main Stage for many of them. Medical and pharmateucal costs
are going through the roof with no end in sight. When the HGH levels in
someones system lessens, accelerated aging may increase. Henceforth, when our
HGH levels are increased, many of the symptoms of aging can potentially
decrease, and clinical studies have shown that some of the symptoms of aging can
even be reversed. Some people have experienced original hair color being
restored, eyesight improved, sounder sleep, elevated libido, reduction in
chronic aches and pains, reduced wrinkling, increased energy levels, increased
to illness and disease, improved mental alertness, and a better overall sense of
well being after taking goji berries.

In the Himalayas where the people there customarily have consumed Goji berries
as a part of their regular diet, it is not uncommon for some of them living to
120 or so life spans. The oldest recorded living person is documented to live to
252 years, and ate Goji berries on a regular basis. The Chinese Government
awarded him 3 times with Longevity Certificates. It can be further noted that
people in the Himalayas that traditionally eat the goji berries seldom acquire
many of the dread diseases that are considered incurable in Western Society.
While our Medical Society busies itself with treating the symptoms with drug and
chemotherapy, surgery, and so forth, wouldnt it make more sense to look for
whats lacking in our diets and fortify our defense systems against these
infectious invaders? Ben Franklin said it best when he said, An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel Prize
Laurite, once said, virtually every sickness, illness and disease can be traced
to the lack of at least one or more important minerals lacking in our diet.
With over 60 macro and trace minerals originally in our soils, and commercial
farming customarily replenishing only 3 of these minerals, it is no wonder why
so many of our population are malnourished, even if they dont know it, and why
diseases rare in the pre-industrial revolution are now commonplace in todays
Modern Society.

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What are goji berries? – Part 2

You have probably heard something about Goji Berries considering they are currently been hailed as a Super food’ in health magazines and television advertising. So what exactly are these super berries?

Goji (pronounced go-jee) berries stormed the marketplace in 2006. They are far from a new fad or trend though. In Asia they have been considered a nutritious food and used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. By next decade it is believed they will be a billion dollar industry.

Goji berries are also known as Chinese Wolfberry, Lycium barbarum (the latin name), Fructus Lycii and Gou Qi Zi. The discovery of Goji Berries is rumored to have occurred when a doctor investigating an ancient society in an isolated part of the Tibetan Himalayas found that the villagers lived to 100 years or more. In addition they seemed to be robust and healthy with little signs of the usual degenerative aging process such as grey hair. After some investigation he discovered that the common factor was that these people lived near water sources that were surrounded by Goji Berries.

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE?

Goji berries are small, deep red berries that resemble the shape and texture of a raisin. They grow on a tall evergreen shrub on long vines. They first sprout as purple and white flowers which then turn into the berries which grow to around 1-1.5cm in diameter.

WHAT DO THEY TASTE LIKE?

When you bite into a Goji berry you will find that it has a similar chewy texture to a sultana. However they are not quite so sweet, with a slightly tarter taste something like a cherry or cranberry.They can be eaten straight, come in a juice form, a tea, bars, chocolate coated, added to trail mixes or smoothies.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF GOJI BERRIES?

Goji berries are called a super food because of the abundant nutrients they contain. In fact they are said to include the most nutrients found in any food product in the world. This includes:

-Approximately 500 times more vitamin C then oranges

-More beta carotene then carrots

-Good source of vitamin A

-Contains vitamin E

-Rich in antioxidants

-Contains B group vitamins- B1, B2 and B6

-Contains 18 amino acids

-Contains 21 minerals including; selenium, zinc and calcium

-Contains essential fatty acids

-Contains approximately 13 percent protein

Both Asian and now some western studies have shown that Goji berries help with health in numerous ways:

-Help liver and kidney function

-Protect eyesight

-Strengthen the immune system

-They combat free radicals reducing the affects of aging

-Increase sexual function and fertility, for example boost sperm production

-Prevents the growth of cancer cells

-Lowers blood pressure

-Improves circulation

-Lowers cholesterol levels

-Balances blood sugar levels

-Can assist with skin problems

-Can help reduce the severity of an anxiety disorder

-Helps with insomnia

-Protects against heart disease

It is recommended that a person consume a small handful of Goji berries daily to gain health benefits.

WHERE TO FIND GOJI BERRIES?

Goji Berries are now widely available at health food stores, Chinese herbal shops, online stores, organic stores and some supermarkets.

CAUTIONS

Although not thoroughly investigated Goji berries may cause reactions with other medications such as blood thinners like Warfarin. If you are taking any medications you should research any possible drug interactions.

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