Very Tasty Goji Berry

 

For years, mom has been feeding me with herbal soups. Little did I realize that the little red seed like fruits in her brewed Chinese herbal soups were goji berries! All those years growing up, I must have consumed thousands of goji berries. Grandma still chews dried goji berries the way we eat peanuts. Chinese call them gou qi zi. Zi means berry. Since antiquity, the Chinese have used goji berries in medicines and cuisine. The Latin name is more sophisticated - Lycium barbarum. Mom buys bulk goji berries and they are the dried version. She’s a firm believer that it is good for every part of the body. Traditionally, the Chinese used goji berries to treat eye conditions, diabetes, anaemia and even to improve sex life. Today, modern Chinese and Western scientists have researched and verified the traditional Chinese claims made for goji berry. They have discovered that regular consumption of goji berry helps improve the immune system because of its high antioxidant properties. Goji berry has 4 different polysaccharides, which are forms of phytonutrient compounds. Scientists refer these as master molecules because they are able to regulate multiple bodily functions and the immune system. Traditional Chinese doctors have always believed that goji berry is the best ingredient in herbal tonics to maintain liver and kidney health. Modern science has now discovered that goji berry’s polysaccharides have the ability to reduce the oxidation of fatty matters in liver cells. Japanese scientists, in preliminary researches, have discovered that goji berry’s polysaccharides also inhibit the growth of cancerous liver cells and leukemia. Many elderly people become blind because of age related macular degeneration. Traditional Chinese doctors have been prescribing goji berry to such people because they claim it is helpful in improving eyesight. Once again, modern science proves this to be true. Goji berry has an important carotenoid component known as zeaxanthin that is beneficial as a supplement for the eyes. It is selectively absorbed into the central retina, or macula. Along with another compound known as lutein, the peripheral retina also improves in health. So, start feeding your aged parents goji berries to prevent their eyesight from failing. There is much interest among scientists to find more medicinal benefits in goji berry. In China, researchers are trying to determine whether the antioxidant properties of the goji berry can help improve cardiovascular health. They are also interested in finding out whether it can be used to treat inflammatory diseases or is beneficial as an anti cancer agent. With so much medicinal potential in it, don’t be surprised if goji berry becomes as popular as ginseng one day! Not only goji berries have tremendous health benefits, they taste very good as well. There are many goji berry recipes available free online, from puddings to meatloafs. I especially like Goji Energy Bars. They are far better than the usual energy bars from you get the stores. You don’t need to be a chef to to them as the recipes are so simple to follow.