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Herbs > Gogi or Wolfberry It is also known as Chinese wolfberry, goji berry, barbary matrimony vine, bocksdorn, cambronera, Duke of Argyll's tea tree, or matrimony vine. Unrelated to the plant's geographic origin, the names Tibetan goji and Himalayan goji are in common use in the health food market for products from this plant. Wolfberry is also another name for the western snowberry, Symphoricarpos occidentalis and Wolfberry is also the common name for the fruit of two very closely related species: Lycium barbarum (Chinese: 宁夏枸杞; pinyin: Níngxià gǒuqǐ) and L. chinense (Chinese: 枸杞; pinyin: gǒuqǐ), two species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae. Although its original habitat is obscure (probably southeastern Europe to southwest Asia), wolfberry species are now grown around the world, primarily in China. Both the wolfberry and ginseng have been highly regarded for centuries as the foremost nutritional and therapeutic plants in China. In fact, the Chinese hold a b belief that human life might be extended significantly by using either of these herbs for an extended period of time. Unfortunately, ginseng is considered too b for continuous use, and large amounts may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. On the other hand, the wolfberry is much milder, with no known risk from continuous use. Contains 500 Times More Vitamin C than Oranges In 1988, the Beijing Nutrition Research Institute conducted detailed chemical analyses and nutritional composition studies of the dried wolfberry fruit. What they discovered was stunning. The wolf-berry contained over 18 amino acids (that is six times higher in proportion than bee pollen-, 21 trace minerals, more beta carotene than carrots and an astonishing 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges. It is also packed with vitamin 81, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. Perhaps this is why the Chinese have traditionally attributed so many benefits to the wolfberry, claiming it protects liver function, replenishes vital essences, improves visual acuity, and lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. The wolfberry was also said to strengthen muscles and bones, stimulate the heart and work as an aid to treat diabetes and impotence. The big question was: Could these results be substantiated in controlled studies using modern chemical analysis? Why do people living in the West Elbow Plateau of Inner Mongolia have life expectancies well over 100 years? The story began five years ago when Professor Chao visited me at our Riverton office. He was on a special teaching and information-gathering assignment from the Natural Science University in Beijing, China. He had heard of essential oils and was fascinated by their potential. As we started discussing the medical properties of essential oils, he told me of another powerful botanical that had been used for centuries in Inner Mongolia but had only recently been researched. It was called the Chinese wolfberry (also known by its Latin name, Lycium barbarum, or colloquial name, "goji berry"). The people who consumed this fruit apparently lived free of common diseases like arthritis, cancer and diabetes. Moreover, their life expectancies reached over 100 years. Two Modern Studies From July 1982 to January 1984, the Ningxia Institute of Drug Inspection conducted a pharmacological experiment using multi-index screening (Register No. 870303). Their conclusion was: The fruits and pedicels of wolfberry were effective in increasing white blood cells, protecting the liver and relieving hypertension. The alcoholic extract of wolf-berry fruits inhibited tumor growth in mice by 58%, and the protein of wolfberry displayed an insulin-like action that was effective in promoting fat decomposition and reducing blood sugar. Another clinical experiment by the Ningxia Institute (Register No. 870306, October 1982 to May 1985) studied the effects of wolfberry on the immune, physiological and biochemical indexes of the blood of aged volunteers. The results were amazing, indicating that the wolfberry caused the blood of older people to noticeably revert to a younger state. Can the Wolfberry Boost Immune Function? According to a report of the State Scientific and Technological Commission of China, the wolfberry contains compounds known as lycium polysaccharides, which appeared to be highly effective in promoting immunity, results were validated in a number of clinical trials. In one study on a group of cancer patients, the wolfberry triggered an increase in both lymphocyte transformation rate and white blood cell count (measures of immune function). In another study involving a group of 50 people with lower-limit white blood cell counts, the wolfberry increased phagocytosis and the titre of serum antibodies (another index of immune function). Unhealthy levels of titre of serum antibodies have long been associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Epstein-Barr). Does this mean that the wolfberry could be used as a weapon against Epstein-Barr? The possibilities are intriguing. In another study, consumption of wolfberry lead to a strengthening of immunoglobulin A levels (an index of immune function). Because the decline of immunoglobulin A is one of the signs of aging, an increase in these levels suggests that the wolfberry may enable injured DNA to better repair itself and ward off tissue degeneration. Is the Wolfberry a Powerful Antioxidant? As we grow older, the levels of lipid peroxide in our blood increase, while levels of health-protecting antioxidants, like superoxide dismutase (SOD), decrease. In a clinical study of people who consumed doses of wolfberry, SOD in the blood increased by a remarkable 48% while hemoglobin increased by 12%. Even better, lipid peroxide levels dropped by a whopping 65%. Does the Wolfberry Protect Eyesight? A test was conducted on the effects of wolfberry on eyesight. Twenty-seven people were tested and showed a dramatic improvement in both dark adaptation and vitamin A and carotene content of their serum (measures of eyesight acuity). This information was supplied by a goji product distributor. |
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