What is the goji berry?
The goji berry (枸杞子) is a fruit of Asian origin that grows on a shrub that can reach up to three meters in height. This shrub is called Chinese wolfberry (Fructus lycii chinensis Where Lycium barbarum L.). The flowering of this plant takes place between the months of June and September. Its berries ripen between September and October. To produce goji berries that are sufficiently high in nutrients, the wolfberry needs to be at least four years old.
The goji berry is used in the traditional chinese medicine for its medicinal properties, but also culinary since it is used in the preparation of many recipes. In the West, the goji berry was discovered in the 1970s.
Goji berry: what are its benefits?
Goji berries are known to have many benefits. Indeed, this berry is extremely rich in minerals and trace elements, so it has therapeutic properties.
- First of all, goji berries contain a large amount of vitamin C. They would thus help to fight against temporary fatigue. This explains in particular why athletes consume it: this fruit helps to easily recover energy during physical exertion. In addition, vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system and thus to fight against diseases, especially since the goji berry increases the activity of macrophages, the number of T cells and the quantity of red and white blood cells.
- The goji berry is also rich in beta carotene : this antioxidant helps to protect the skin from UV rays. These berries contain more than carrots.
- More recently, wolfberry fruit has shown its ability to regulate liver function in cases of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis.
- This bay is also famous for its detox properties. Its consumption helps to detoxify the body. Finally, she has antioxidant properties which would have an anti-aging effect.
The goji berry in traditional Chinese medicine
In China, this berry is nicknamed the “fruit of the smile”, but also the “fruit of the eternal youth”because of its multiple virtues.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the goji berry is one of the remedies of choice to nourish the yīn and the jīng of the kidneys in order to promote the vitality and fertility of men by stimulating spermatogenesis. It is thus useful for the void of yáng of the kidneys and is therefore indicated in case of sexual disorders in men (spermatorrhea, impotence, oligospermia and asthenospermia), lower back pain, pain (or weakness) in the knees, dizziness and dizziness, hair whitening, visual disturbances and finally chronic cough. These are the traditional functions of the goji berry in Chinese medicine.
How to consume the goji berry?
Goji berry is available in dried, juiced or powdered form. The berries can be incorporated into many recipes or eaten as is. In dried form, the goji berry can be stored very easily and for a long time, provided it is kept in a dry place, away from heat and light.
Some ideas for consuming the dried goji berry:
- to snack on in dried form at any time of the day
- in cereals, porridge or yoghurts at breakfast;
- in smoothies;
- as a garnish in salads.
During a treatment, it is advisable to consume 10 to 20 g of dried goji berries daily, for 30 days.
To take advantage of its action on male fertility, chew 15 g of berries every evening for several months (but sexual activity must be limited during treatment).
Other forms of goji berry consumption:
- It is also possible to soak the goji berries in hot water to rehydrate them before consuming them. They can also be prepared in decoction by boiling for a quarter of an hour 15 g of berries in 400 ml of water (reuse the same berries to make a second infusion to drink during the day).
- In juice, the goji berry is usually mixed with other fruits. If you prepare your own juices, you can integrate it in powder form into a fruit and vegetable juice in order to benefit as much as possible from its vitamins.
- There are also goji berries in the form of capsules, usually dosed at 600 mg. It can be taken as a cure to combat chronic or transient fatigue.
- At last, in powder form and mixed with a little sesame oil or olive oil, the goji berry is very effective in treating burns.
What are the contraindications of the goji berry?
- The goji berry is not recommended for pregnant women, insofar as this berry could stimulate the contractions of the uterus (although only massive consumption can cause problems). During pregnancy and lactation, avoid taking it. Similarly, during menstruation, it is better to avoid the consumption of this berry, as it could accentuate menstrual pain.
- The goji berry can also cause allergies in some people (extremely rare). This berry belongs to the nightshade family, as well as tomato and pepper, and therefore presents risks of allergies.
- From the point of view of traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries should be avoided in case of diarrhea (emptiness of the spleen), difficulty tolerating heat (intense thirst, red complexion, etc.) and respiratory infection in winter ( it can be consumed again once the infection is resolved).
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