The Goji berry (Lycium vulgare) or Lycium barbarum belong to the group of plants with the General collective title “the wolf berries”. By the way, not all plants in this group have toxic effects on the human individual as Goji, have unique healing properties.
The Goji berry is a perennial deciduous shrub (family Solanaceae), with mauve, purple or brown flowers and slender spines. When ripe the berries are oblong oval in shape and rich red color.
The home of Goji berry is considered to be Asia, namely the fertile lands of the mountain valleys of the Himalayas and Tibet. To date, berry is spread across almost all continents: Eurasia, America, North Africa and even Australia. But it should be noted that the most useful properties of Goji berries from the fertile lands of the plateau Ningxia (China). In this area the earth’s natural, mineral-rich fertilizer – the loess, which is from the mountains bring water of the yellow river.
In the history of use by humankind Goji berry was ticulously various epithets such as: “berry of love”, the “fountain of longevity”, “berry of happiness”, “red diamond”, “Paradise pit”, “desired the fruit of longevity”, the “Tibetan Goji”. As well as, appropriated various folk names – “Lycium barbaric”, armoros, wild Jasmine, Deribas, prirocnik and so on.
There is a myth about why the Goji common in Asia called it a Goji berry. The story happened in the period of Wars in the province of Ningxia Ancient China into a peasant family, GOU zi. When the head of the family was called to the long war with invaders wife and mother, GOU zi was left without food, and there was rampant hunger and death. They managed to survive only because Qi (wife of farmer) gathered berries on the thorny bushes that grew on the southern slope of the mountains is Fragrant, and used them in cooking.
Useful properties of Goji berries
Part of the “longevity berries” (also known as Goji) contains: vitamins C (ascorbic acid) and zinc, phosphorus, iron, copper, selenium, germanium, calcium, Beta-carotene, thiocyanates, antioxidants, amino acids, polisaharidy, glucosinolate, flavonoids and steroidal saponins, thiamine, zeaxanthin, Riboflavin.
Since ancient times, the Goji berry in Chinese medicine used to increase libido in women and men, and also to lift the mood and improve well-being in stressful situations. It is believed that this plant helps fight cancer cells, increases immunity and prolongs life.
In addition, Goji berries promote the treatment of diseases of the kidneys, liver, eyes, reproductive system, reduce blood sugar, relieve prolonged insomnia. And also prevent the development of disease Alzheimer’s and diabetes, restore hormonal balance, urinary function, improve the nervous system, tone up, and eliminate the negative effects of menopause and increase melatonin levels, strengthen lungs, do not allow the fatty degeneration of the liver, improve the functioning of the hematopoietic system. With Goji, you can get rid of headaches and dizziness.
A set of useful substances of the plant also helps the human body to produce the antioxidant superoxidedismutase with a weak hypotensive effect, which contributes to the drugs ‘ effects on the human body. The list of useful properties of Goji berries, you can add and depression candidiasis, pathogenic Escherichia coli and inflammatory processes.
After studying Goji berries-known research centers and detect in its composition a unique combination of vitamins, macro – and microelements celebrities (e. g. Steven Spielberg, Oprah Unfri) began to advertise it and use it in the production of its branded goods, and athletes to restore strength and improve endurance.
Very advertised weight loss pills the Goji berry has become after many of the nutritionists in one voice stated “the Goji berry promotes weight loss without active effort. ” They note that the plant helps to improve metabolism and blood circulation, lowers bad cholesterol, speeds up the breakdown of fat cells.
In addition to berries in modern medicine, used the leaves, bark and roots of the shrub.
Due to the fact that the Goji berry speeds up cell division in the human body (including skin) it is used in cosmetics to achieve a rejuvenating effect. Namely, added to creams, lotions and other care products for skin.
With its pleasant sweet-sour taste of the berry has become a very popular ingredient of various soups, which are in the menu known reputable restaurants. It can be added to tea, fruit salads, rice dishes, muesli and yoghurt.
There is a legend that even the Emperor’s table was served dishes, which included Goji berries.
It is not recommended to use in the diet of Goji berries or use drugs on their basis are hypersensitive to this plant. Also, it is contraindicated in pregnancy, in breastfeeding period and children up to three years.
And should not be consumed more than 25 g of berries per day – it can cause opposite therapeutic effects, the effect.
Goji berries (dereza vulgaris) or Lycium barbarum belongs to a group of plants with the general collective name “wolfberry”. By the way, not all plants of this group have a toxic effect on humans – some of its species, like goji, have unique healing properties.
The goji berry is a deciduous shrub long (the Nightshade family) with lilac, purple or brown flowers and thin thorns. When ripe, the berries acquire an oblong oval shape and a rich red color.
The homeland of goji berries is Asia, namely the fertile land of the mountain valleys of the Himalayas and Tibet. To date, the berry is distributed on the territory of almost all continents of the Earth: Eurasia, America, the north of Africa and even Australia. But it should be noted that the most useful properties are goji berries from the fertile Ningxia plateau (China). In this area the land receives a natural, mineral-rich fertilizer is a loess, which brings the waters of the Yellow River from the mountains.
Throughout the history of human use, goji berries were titled with various epithets, such as: “love berry”, “longevity source”, “happiness berry”, “red diamond”, “paradise berry”, “fruit of the desired longevity”, “Tibetan barberry”. And also, they appropriated various national names – “barbarous daisy”, daramoros, jasmine field, deribas, pimple and so on.
A bit of history
There is a whole myth about why dereza vulgaris in Asia is called goji berries. The story happened in the period of the Wars in Ningxia Province of Ancient China in the family of peasant Gou Zi. When the head of the family was called up for a long war with the invaders, Gou Zi”s wife and mother were left without food, and hunger and death raged around them. They managed to survive only because Qi (the peasant’s wife) picked berries on thorny bushes that grew on the southern slope of Mount Aromatnaya, and used them to prepare food.
Calorie content of goji berries
It is 253 kcal per 100 grams.
Nutrition information in 100 grams:
Proteins, Fats gr, gr Carbohydrates, Zola gr, gr Water gr Calories, kcal
11. 7 37 43. 2 – – 253
Useful properties of goji berries
Composition and availability of useful substances of goji berries
The composition of the “berries of longevity” (also called goji) includes: vitamins of group C (ascorbic acid) and B, zinc, phosphorus, iron, copper, selenium, germanium, calcium, beta-carotene, thiocyanates, antioxidants, amino acids, podisaccharides, Glycosinolates, flavonoids and steroid saponins, thiamine, zeaxanthin, riboflavin.
Use of goji berries in medicine
Since ancient times, the goji berry in Chinese medicine has been used to increase libido in women and men, and also to raise mood and improve self-esteem in stressful situations. It is believed that this plant contributes to the fight against cancer cells, increases immunity and prolongs life.
In addition, goji berries promote the treatment of kidney, liver, eye, reproductive system, reduce blood sugar, and save long-term insomnia. And also, they prevent the development of Alzheimer’s and diabetes, restore hormonal balance, to urinate functions, improve the functioning of the nervous system, tone up, eliminate the negative effects of menopause and increase the level of melatonin, strengthen the lungs, prevent fatty degeneration of the liver, improve the functioning of the hematopoietic system. With the help of goji, you can get rid of headaches and dizziness.
A set of useful substances of this plant also helps the human body to produce an antioxidant superoxide dismutase with a weak antihypertensive effect that promotes the effects of medicines on the human body. In the list of useful properties of goji berries can be added and oppression of candidiasis, pathogenic E. coli and inflammatory processes.
After studying the goji berries by famous research centers and identifying in its composition a unique combination of vitamins, macro and microelements, world celebrities (for example, Steven Spielberg, Unfrey Opra) began to advertise it and use it to produce their branded goods, and athletes – to restore strength and increase Level of endurance.
Very much advertised for losing weight, goji berry became after many of the nutritionists unanimously declared “goji berries help to lose weight without active efforts”. They note that the plant helps improve metabolism and circulation, lowers the level of harmful cholesterol, accelerates the breakdown of fat cells.
In addition to berries in modern medicine, the leaves, bark and roots of the bush are used.
Goji berries in cosmetology
Due to the fact that the goji berry accelerates the division of cells in the human body (including skin) it is used in cosmetology to achieve a rejuvenating effect. Namely, add to the composition of creams, lotions and other skin care products.
Goji Berries in Cooking
Thanks to a pleasant sweet and sour taste, the berry has become a very popular ingredient of various soups, which are on the menu of well-known respectable restaurants. It can be
