Goji berries
The medicinal Goji Berries are also called Lycium Barbarum, Barbary Wolfberry, Chinese Wolfberry, Duke of Argyll's Tea Tree or Matrimony Vine. It is one of the strongest antioxidants. The most important active components of the fruit are the Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides (LBP).
Introduction
In Asia the Goji Berries are renowned as a highly natural and nutritious food. It should contain the most nutrients. Therefore it is also called "super fruit". It is used in the Chinese traditional medicine for thousands of years.Studies have shown that most of world's long living people use a daily quantity of this small red fruit. Goji berries could be worlds most strong anti aging food and the strongest nutrient on earth.
The Goji Berry is a bright red, chewing gum like berry with a sweet taste, looks like a raisin and is calming. It has been used since thousands of years as a general nurturing tonic (Yin tonic). The Chinese medicine calls it a "cooling tonic".
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Photo: the ripe berries of the shrub have a sweet but also a raw taste that can be compared with raisins. |
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Photo: The whole dried Goji Berries. These berries can be eaten raw, processed in food or made tea of. |
Application
Of the Lycium Barbarum bushes nearly only the berries are used. Sometimes the young shoots and leaves are used as vegetables.Outside the production (growing) areas the Goji Berries are only used in a dried form. Goji Berries can be used internally as well as externally. It is mainly used as a food supplement and to a growing extent as a functional ingredient in food and beverages.
Beside it Goji Berry extract powders are added to cosmetic products. The external application of Goji Berries has a cleansing effect on the skin and has a somewhat whitening effect on the skin. Goji Berry extracts also have a positive effect on the hair grow and the hair volume.
Medicinal actions
The traditional Chinese medicine uses the Chinese Goji Berries to treat problems that are related to the liver, kidney, impotence, pain of the muscles (waist) and the knees, headache, dizziness, blurred eyesight, weeping eyes, fatigue, coughing, thirst and problems with ejaculation.De most common applications of the Goji Berries are:
- the protecting effect on liver and kidneys;
- as aphrodisiac and libido stimulator;
- as an anti-oxidant and therefore also slowing down the aging process;
- immune increase and anti-inflammatory;
- the tonic effect on the eyes, especially there where the circulation is bad, in cases of dizziness, and a blurred and reduced eyesight;
- helping to reduce overweight.
Industrial applications
Out of the seeds of the Goji Berries essential oils are gained. Sometimes a skin soap is made of it.Goji berries have very strong antioxidant properties. This property can be applied as a replacement of sulphite in the production of wine and for preventing the colouring of prepared meat products.
Dosage
As a therapeutic dosage for adults 10-20 gram dried berries are advised.Of the concentrated extracts and/or extract powders with a content of 50% polysaccharides 250-500 mg as a daily dosage is advised.
Contra-indications
- No harmful side effects or contra-indications are known;
- Preferably not to be used with an acute cold or flue;
- It is advised against to use Goji Berries during pregnancy and lactation.
More information / news
Copyright © 2011 Benseng Foodsupplements BV, Veghel, The Netherlands. See: www.benseng.nl
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