Madonna on Goji Berry

While Goji Berry fruit has been around for hundreds of years, it is only in the last couple of years or so that this magic fruit managed to com in the center of attention. This is an anti-oxidant rich fruit that is known to cure lot of diseases and treat several other conditions. Some consider the fruit as herbal Viagra, some take for weight loss, some use it to stay slim, and some in the quest of eternal youth.

Because of the magical quality of Goji Berry and the wonder it is known to perform, hot shot female celebrities started leaning toward this fruit to gain the health benefits associated with it. One of the celebrities that is a big time Goji Berry fan is Madonna. A recent BBC article shows that Madonna along with other top celebrities are regular users of this fruit which they are taking to stay slim and to beat the aging process (slow down that it).

Goji Berries are more popular in Europe than in the U.S. but they are known in the U.S. by now with the popularity increasing by leaps and bound. Madonna likes to munch on this fruit whenever possible. Since we all love to much on snacks, nuts, and various other junk foods, why not use this fruit for munching. They are available in dried packaging, in juice format, and in mixed snacks.

Other names Goji Berry is knows by are “Fruit Viagra”, “Jumping for Joy”, and “cellulite-busting”. This fruit is believed to boost your libido. It is also known to fight against hearth disease, protect the skin from sun-burn, and fight against cancer.

With all these wonders the fruit is known to do, no wonder Madonna and other celebrities are into Goji Berry munching!

the goji website

Semillas de goji

Hace unas semanas vi en el supermercado unas cajas de goji a muy buen precio, 3,50 euros, así que compré una caja, me gusta el sabor de estas bayas y las consumo con los cereales del desayuno.
El otro día, mientras desayunaba se me ocurrió una freaky-idea. Al ver las bayas deshidratadas supuse que sus diminutas semillas estarían en un estado de conservación óptimo, así que pensé que podría extraer las semillas y plantarlas. ¿Lograría germinar las semillas de goji?
Para sacar las semillas dejé en remojo unas bayas durante tres días.
Una vez hidratadas y con la ayuda de unas pinzas, logré extraer bastantes semillas de goji. Son semillas que tienen un aspecto muy similar a las del pimiento o tomate.
Finalmente, en un envase, en este caso un envase de humus israelí, planté las semillas en un sustrato de fibra de coco.
Como se suele hacer en todos los casos en los que las semillas son diminutas, las enterré a muy poca profundidad, coloqué el envase con las semillas de goji en un lugar con una temperatura media de unos 15º y, tapado para evitar la pérdida de humedad.

Cinco días más tarde, los primeros brotes de goji han salido a la luz. Cuando estén un poco más grandes, las plantitas serán plantadas en macetas biodegradables y, una vez adaptadas al exterior, las plantaré en el jardín, no creo que tengan muchos problemas en aclimatarse al clima de la meseta madrileña.

El sito de las bayas de Goji

How to plant your own goji berries (Lycium barbarum). Germinating and sowing your own Goji Berry plants

Goji Berries: A traditional Asian « medicine »?
Being Malaysian Chinese, I’ve eaten goji berries since I was a baby. Chinese ladies use the dried red berries in soups and other tasty dishes. I love it as is (tastes like a raisin with lots of little seeds like a blueberry has). I also love the flavour it imparts to some of my favorite Chinese dishes. Never really thought of it as a medicine though, much less a ‘sexual tonic revered in Asian herbalism’! Goji berries have become the latest health food craze here in the US and apparently can cure a plethora of maladies.

Goji berries in my edible garden
This plant packs a punch healthwise and also aesthetically. Impressive white and purple trumpet-like flowers from early summer, eye-catching fire-engine-red clusters of delicious berries on a lush green bush (max height 8 ft). The plants will fruit continuously till the first heavy frost. And the plants are hardy to -15 deg F. Good for my PA Zone garden. I figure a row of goji berry bushes all the way down my garden will be the perfect backdrop for some other shorter edibles that I plan to grow. Birds will love the berries as much as I do, so I may have to put netting on the bushes as the berries ripen.

Planting my own Goji Berries
I had a ready supply of goji berries for cooking purposes that I could germinate. These cost about $3 per pound and are called boxthorn fruit, bought from the Asian food store in town. Spencer also had bought organic goji berries for about $15 from the Whole Foods, so I decided to use the organic ones instead. You can also order them from Amazon ($2.50 for a packet of about 50 berries will yield a gazillion teeny seeds) if you don’t have any handy for your germination experiment. Make sure you don’t get the ‘freeze dried’ ones, your best bet are the organic dried ones (usually haven’t been irradiated or treated, and will germinate).

How to plant your own goji berries (Lycium barbarum). Germinating and sowing your own Goji Berry plants

I started off selecting three of the largest berries and opening them up to reveal the tiny seeds within. I didn’t give them any ‘winter chill treatment’

Then I extricated the seeds and dabbed each seed onto a moistened paper towel. I spaced the seeds far enough apart that I could cut the towel into individual seedling-contained pieces later (so as not to damage their roots).

How to plant your own goji berries (Lycium barbarum). Germinating and sowing your own Goji Berry plants

After a week, the seeds had germinated.

I transplanted them into little plastic starter pots with drainage holes. Filled the pots with compost to give ‘em a good start. Make sure the soil is pressed lightly yet firmly around the seedling roots to ensure root contact with the soil (and thus water). Water daily and place in sunny spot until bigger.

How to plant your own goji berries (Lycium barbarum). Germinating and sowing your own Goji Berry plants

For those who want to purchase goji plants, find on AGOJI e-shop HERE

produce from Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Shanxi, Hebei and other provinces in China. Goji

Berry and its skin and bone of earth are used as Chinese medicine to tonifying kidney

and nourishing the liver to improve visual acuity.

goji berries tibetan dried berries juice organic agoji lycium barbarum

It is said that Gingseng and Goji Berry are regarded as tonic for prolonging one’s life

in ancient China, and there’s an old saying in our country that ‘millennium Gingseng,

centennium Goji Berry’. Moreover, Ginseng looks like human, and the root of old Goji

trees looks like a dog, so it has other names, such as ‘ Gou Diya’ or ‘Gou Naizi’ in

Mandarin and Goji’s function is deified and created many myth. A folklore is told that a

young woman was catching and fighting an old man, a passerby who looked that and

managed to persuade her. That woman told that she was disciplining her great-grandson.

There was a miracle plant at her home, but her great-grandson didn’t eat it and led to

him so old. The passerby asked her age, she told him that she was over 360 years old.

The passerby beg her to tell the secret of keeping youth. That woman told that she took

Goji’s leaves in spring, which are known as the Essence Of Heaven and took its flowers

in summer, which are known as the Longevity of Life; took its fruits in autumn, which are

known as the Chinese Wolfberry; took the bark of its root in winter, which is known as the

skin and bone of the Earth, The immotal way of eating Goji Berry is derived from this lore,

which indicates that the flower, leave, stem and root are treasure and all can be used as

Chinese medicine.

The new leaves of Goji Berry containing carotene, lactoflavin, vitamin B-1, calcium and

protein can be used as vegetable and soup. Goji Berry which contains vitamin, calcium,

iron, phosphorus is used in soup (such as soup of beef with Goji) to improve eyesight,

tonify kidney, reduce blood sugar blood press.

Many experiments shows that Goji can prevent dementia, especially Alzheimer’s

disease. However, this must be proved through further clinical research and analysis

Gingseng is used as a tonic, but it’s very expensive. However, Goji Berry is already an

affordable good medicine for many people.

Buy Goji berries here : e-shop

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of goji berries, soaked in water for about an hour

1/4 cup of dried prunes

1 tbsp honey

1 tsp ginger powder

2 tbsp of lemon juice

Directions:

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Blend until pureed.

Store the jam in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Goji berry jam spread between two pieces of Arnold?s Sandwich Thins

2.Goji Berry Pecan Scones (Gluten Free and Vegan!)

Makes 6 medium/large scones

2c rice flour

1tbsp aluminum free baking powder

1/2tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp cloves powder

1/4 c goji berries

1/4 c pecan pieces/chips

1/3 c canola oil

1/3 c agave nectar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1/3 c rice, soy or almond milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine and mix together the dry ingredients (except for goji berries and pecans). In

a separate bowl, beat together wet ingredients. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until

just combined. The texture will be crumbly (this is normal!). Stir in goji berries and pecan pieces.

Take a handful of dough and knead it together, shaping into a scone, and place on the parchment-

lined baking sheet. If you notice the dough becoming too crumbly to form a scone, just add a

splash of milk to the dough and continue to knead. After scones are lined up on the baking sheet,

bake on the center rack for 20 minutes. Remove the scones promptly from the oven and let cool on

a cooling rack. Enjoy!

that Goji Berries can strengthen the muscles and bones, resist cold and heat and prolong life, if take it for a long time. Modern

nutrition analysis shows that Goji Berries contain betaine, carotene, many kinds of unsaturated fatty acid, amino acid, multi

vitamin and so on. Betaine can prevent cirrhosis and protect normal liver cell.

In spring, Goji can be eaten alone or drink it with astragalus mongholicus. In summer, it can be used with chrysanthemum,

honeysuckle, green tea to eliminate fatigue. In autumn, it should be used with snow pear, Sichuan fritillary bulb, lily and etc.

Moreover, it also can be used with sour foods, such as hawthorn to nourish Yin with sour and sweet herbs. In winter, it can reinforce

Yang, so it should be used for porridge with longan, Chinese yam or cooking with mutton to keep out the cold.

The herbal cuisines for health protection are as follows:

Nourishing liver and kidney: Put 30g Goji Berries, 10g Cordyceps and 50g lily together, simmered gently for 20 mins. Add 500g pork

liver or lamb liver and appropriate amount of seasoning, boil for 30 mins. Eat liver and drink soup for several times. This mainly

cure diziness, giddiness, dysphoria, night sweat caused by Yin deficiency of liver and kidney.

Nourishing the liver to improve visual acuity: Put 100g Goji Berries, 100gGlossy Privet Fruit, 50g Hangzhou chrysanthemum

together and dry by a fire, porphyrize and encapsulate. Twice a day and 10g each time. This mainly cure dry eyes, diziness,

asthenopia caused by deficiency of liver and blood.

One delicious recipe you can make using all the goodness of goji berries is a combination rice dish with a salad. Very healthy, and definitely chock-full of fiber for your diet! Easy to prepare and guaranteed to be filling, all it takes is around ten to fifteen minutes of preparation time to come up with this dish. There’s nothing fancy about the ingredients, even if it does call for making your own vinaigrette dressing rather than opting to buy something prepared from the grocery. This guarantess that everything in the dish are fresh and nutritious, too.

For one cup of vinaigrette, you would need one-third cup of olive oil, two tablespoons honey, two tablespoons pineapple juice, one fourth cup red wine vinegar, two tablespoons finely chopped red onion, and one tablespoon chopped parsley. Put everything in a bowl and whisk vigorously with a fork, then refrigerate ahead of time to chill sufficiently. You’ll need to re-whisk the vinaigrette before serving, however.

And now this is when the goji or wolfberries come in. Along with half a cup of those, you’ll need two cups of cooked rice, two diced beets, around five cups of spinach leaves, a cup and a half each of kidney beans and black beans (make sure to drain them very well), a half cup of coarsely chopped walnuts, some salt and pepper, and the vinaigrette dressing prepared earlier.

Combine the goji berries with the rice and beans, then pour two-thirds of the prepared vinaigrette over them. Add some salt and pepper to taste. Next, line a plate with the spinach leaves, and place the tossed salad over them carefully. Add the beets on top, then drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over everything, before sprinkling the chopped walnuts over the whole dish. Voila! A refreshing, light, nourishing, and healthy meal in little time!

www.gojiberryblog.net

√ Goji berries contains 19 amino acids the building blocks of protein including all eight that are essential for life.

√ Goji berries contains 21 trace minerals, including germanium, an anti-cancer trace mineral rarely found in foods.

√ Goji berries contains more protein than whole wheat (13 percent).

√ Goji berries contains a complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids, including beta-carotene (a better source than even

carrots!) and zeaxanthin (protects the eyes). Goji berries are the richest source of carotenoids of all known foods.

√ Goji berries contains Vitamin C at higher levels than even those found in oranges.

√ Goji berries contains B-complex vitamins, necessary for converting food into energy.

√ Goji berries contains Vitamin E (very rarely found in fruits, only in grains and seeds).

√ Goji berries contains Beta-Sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory agent. Beta-Sitosterol also lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement.

√ Goji berries contains essential fatty acids, which are required for the body’s production of hormones and for the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system.

√ Goji berries contains Cyperone, a sesquiterpene that benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort, and has been used in the treatment of cervical cancer.

√ Goji berries contains Solavetivone, a powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial compound.

√ Goji berries contains Physalin, a natural compound that is active against all major types of leukemia. It has been shown to increase splenic natural killer cell activity in normal and tumor-bearing mice, with broad-spectrum anti-cancer effect. It has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B.

√ Goji berries contains Betaine, which is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound that calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects against fatty liver disease. Betaine also provides methyl groups in the body’s energy reactions and can help reduce levels of homocysteine, a prime risk factor in heart disease. It also protects DNA.

Goji Berries are a very rich source of vitamin C, having 500 times more vitamin C per ounce than oranges, actually more almost than any fruit you could name. They are also a superb source of vitamin A, not surprising because they are a really pretty red color. Goji berries also have vitamins B1, B2, B6, and E; they are becoming a famous antioxidant.

Goji berries health benefits

They are also a rich source of both selenium and germanium and have hence been used in a number of clinical trials involving cancer patients. When given to patients undergoing chemotherapy, the berries conferred significant protection for the liver. In Oriental medicine, they are said to correct chi deficiency, meaning that people with low energy, insomnia, heart palpitations, and even anxiety are more comfortable after consuming goji berries. The berries have 18 amino acids (higher than bee pollen) and 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, and more beta carotene than carrots. They are also a rich source of both selenium and germanium and have hence been used in a number of clinical trials involving cancer patients. When given to patients undergoing chemotherapy, the berries conferred significant protection for the liver. In Oriental medicine, they are said to correct chi deficiency, meaning that people with low energy, insomnia, heart palpitations, and even anxiety are more comfortable after consuming goji berries. The berries have 18 amino acids (higher than bee pollen) and 21 trace minerals, linoleic acid, and more beta carotene than carrots.

In vitro studies suggest that goji berries kill many kinds of cancer cells. The mechanism whereby this happens is believed to involve some factor that inhibits the ability of the cell to divide, thus lowering its reproductive capacity. A large study in Japan suggested that tumor growth was inhibited by 58% among the patients eating goji berries as compared to the control groups. A study in Mongolia showed that patients eating the goji berries had a significant increase in lymphocyte activity and that their blood began to resemble that of much younger persons.

A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum upregulates cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The production of cytokine is a key event in the initiation and regulation of an immune response. Many compounds are now used routinely to modulate cytokine production, and therefore the immune response, in a wide range of diseases, such as cancer. Interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha are two important cytokines in antitumor immunity. In this study, the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein complex (LBP(3p)) on the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and bioassay. Administration of LBP(3p) increased the expression of interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha at both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. The results suggest that LBP(3p) may induce immune responses and possess potential therapeutic efficacy in cancer.

Isolation and purification of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its antifatigue effect

A purified component of lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP-X) was isolated from lycium barbarum L. by DEAE ion-exchange cellulose and sephacryl gel chromatography. LBP-X was tested on five different doses (5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg.kg-1.d-1) in mice. The results showed that LBP-X induced a remarkable adaptability to exercise load, enhanced resistance and accelerated elimination of fatigue. LBP-X could enhance the storage of muscle and liver glycogen, increase the activity of LDH before and after swimming, decrease the increase of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after strenuous exercise, and accelerate the clearance of BUN after exercise. The dosage of LBP-X 10 mg.kg-1.d-1 was the best amount among the five tested doses.

Study on the composition of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides and its effects on the growth of weanling mice

In order to observe the effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP-4) on the growth of weanling mice and the absorption of some metals in the their body, the composition of LBP-4 is determined. 120 female weanling mice are divided in random into 4 groups. They are fed on LBP-4 at the dose of 5, 10 and 20 mg/(kg.d) respectively. The taken feed weight and the body weight of mice are recorded everyday. After 21 days, the content of calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron in pygal muscles and femora of mice is determined. The results showed that LBP-4 is composed of six kinds of monosaccharides that can enhance food conversion rate and the content of zinc and iron in body of mice, and reduce the body weight.

Experimental research on the role of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide in anti-peroxidation

In this work, the changes in electrical parameters of cell membrane of Xenopus Oocytes were determined using routine microelectrode electrophysiological technique after incubation of the cells in frog Ringer solution containing free radical producing system for 6 hours. It was observed that the resting membrane potential was raised, and the membrane resistance and time constant were decreased. The effects of free radical on the cells can be prevented and reversed by incubation with superoxide dismutase or Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.

Top 10 Benefits of Polysaccharides

1) Polysaccharides inhibit tumor growth

2) Polysaccharides prevent cancer

3) Polysaccharides neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation

4) Polysaccharides help normalize blood pressure

5) Polysaccharides help balance blood sugar

6) Polysaccharides combat autoimmune disease

7) Polysaccharides act as an anti-inflammatory

8)Polysaccharides help balance immune function

9) Polysaccharides help lower cholesterol and blood lipids

10) Polysaccharides increase calcium absorption

Goji has a 3,000-year history in the Chinese and Eastern medical traditions. The Chinese have been growing this alkaline fruit for thousands of years, which is so revered that it has an annual two-week festival in its honor!

Bayas de goji Hilamaya

Las bayas de Goji están muy de moda últimamente, son muy beneficiosas para el organismo, cuentan con más de 30 propiedades que nos garantizan una buena salud, de las cuales resaltamos algunas de ellas: El Goji es conocido como la « Fruta de la Longevidad » por su potente acción antioxidante, ayuda a eliminar la fatiga, mejora la memoria, ayuda a normalizar los niveles de azúcar en sangre, incrementa la líbido tanto en hombres como en mujeres, alivia los dolores de cabeza y los mareos, mejora la calidad del sueño y alivia el insomnio, mejora la visión, rminimiza los síntomas de la menopausia, mejora la fertilidad, fortalece músculos y huesos, alivia la ansiedad y el estrés, reduce la grasa corporal, mantiene una presión sanguínea saludable, reduce los niveles de colesterol, previene de enfermedades cardiovasculares, ataques al corazón, ateroesclerosis y derrames cerebrales, mejora la respuesta inmune, inhibe el crecimiento tumoral, ayuda a la recuperación del cáncer ya que promueve el crecimiento celular sano, minimiza los efectos tóxicos de la quimioterapia y la radiación, pero ademas de todo ésto es un fruto a nivel organoléptico parecido a las uvas pasas, con lo que se puede cocinar con ellas-si es que comértelas de la manera que se comercializan te resulta desagradable. Cocinaremos un bacalao en salsa de tomate con bayas de Goji:

Ingredientes:

bacalao fresco (se podría cambiar por otro producto)
50 gr de bayas de Goji
1 vaso de vino blanco
1 cebolleta
5 tomates de rama maduros
2 huevos
sal
aceite de oliva

Elaboración:

Rehidratar las bayas de Goji, para éllo, poner las bayas en agua templada durante 1 hora.

En una sartén, echar el vino blanco y las bayas de Goji-ya sin agua-y hervir el conjunto hasta que casi se evapore el vino blanco.

En una cazuela, rehogar con un poco de aceite la cebolleta picada y cuando esté rehogada, añadir el tomate pelado sin pepitas cortado en daditos y cocinar el conjunto sin dejar de moverlo durante 10 minutos, corregir el punto de sal.
Pasado este tiempo, poner el tomate en una fuente de horno junto con las bayas de Goji y encima colocar el bacalao fresco cortado en lomos de ración, dejar en el horno durante 10 minutos.
Transcurrido este tiempo, retirar del horno, hacer unos huevos revueltos en la sartén y añadir por encima.

Goji Berries look like pointy red raisins. This aphrodisiac food is packed with enough health benefits and good taste that they are worth eating even if you don’t feel an immediate aphrodisiac buzz.

This is a well regarded aphrodisiac food in China, where it is referred to as the ‘happy berry.’ Goji is considered a yin tonic, and it is said to strengthen the liver and the kidney/adrenal system (said to be the source of sexual energy in Chinese medicine). And there is some scientific evidence to back these ideas up.

In one study on lab animals, Goji improved the sexual function and reproductive ability of male rats that were half-castrated. (PMID: 16563441) The study concluded « The present findings support the folk reputation of L. barbarum fruits as an aphrodisiac and fertility-facilitating agent, and provide scientific evidence for a basis for the extensive use of L. barbarum fruits as a traditional remedy for male infertility in China. »

While Goji berries look something like a raisin, the taste of goji berries is more complex and wonderful – in addition to the expected sweet flavor, there are mild salty and sour notes.

Goji berries are widely available in health food stores, Asian groceries, and on-line. Expect to pay a premium for organically grown berries, and for the juice (which is mostly water). Prices vary quite a bit, so you should shop around.

Goji berries (aka wolfberries aka lycium have demonstrated an anti-diabetic effect in several studies on humans and lab animals. After ten days of a goji supplement, rabbits had significantly lower total cholesterol and triglycerides, and markedly higher HDL (‘good’) cholesterol. ( PMID 15519360) Goji may be a good food to fight metabolic syndrome (along with an otherwise sensible diet and exercise) – and metabolic syndrome is a precursor to diabetes and erectile dysfunction.

And the same polysaccharides that lower blood sugar also stimulate the immune system. Goji is being tested against a number of cancers, although the effect does not appear strong enough to consider it a primary therapy. But as a food packed with antioxidants like zeathin and other carotenes, this is one delight that may reduce the risk of developing cancer in the first place.

In traditional use, the daily dose of Goji berries is 5 to 15 grams (roughly 1/6 to 1/2 ounce). I personally just take a small handful as a dessert or snack. I have also made some excellent chocolates by grinding goji berries in a coffee grinder, and melting it with chocolate chips and coconut.

Goji berries are in the same botanical family as tomatoes and peppers. The scientific name is Lycium barbarum or Lycium chinensis. One source for live plants in the US is OneGreenWorld.com – they list the plant under ‘wolfberry.’