Organic Goji Berries

Nature bestowed upon us a profound gift in offering the Goji berry, one of the most nutritionally-rich foods found on the planet. The Goji or Wolfberry as it’s sometimes called tastes of cherry, cranberry and pomegranate with notes of fresh mown hay.

The Goji berry, is the fruit of the shrub Lycium chinense, which grows throughout Tibet and China. The flavorful berries have long been esteemed as the food of immortals and renowned for building longevity, sexual vigor, and strength. Legendary Chinese herbalist Li Qing Yuen is said to have lived 252 years, and attributed his longevity to tonic herbs including Goji berries.

Examining their nutrient profile, Goji berries look like an engineered super-food. They have tremendous antioxidant properties and contain 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges. They also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6 and vitamin E. Inside you’ll find 18 different amino acids including all 8 essential amino acids (including tryptophan). Goji berries are nature’s densest source of carotenoids including beta-carotene.

Goji berries have both immuno-enhancing and liver-protecting properties. A series of compounds known as polysaccharides are responsible for fortifying the immune system and promoting the secretion of the rejuvenating human growth hormone. Similar polysaccharides can be found in some of the powerfully immuno-enhancing mushrooms that have been a source of much recent research.

In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are considered one of the major tonic herbs. They are first mentioned the herbalist’s text called Shen’nong Bencaojing written in the first century AD. The berry is classified as a blood tonic. It improves circulation and absorption of nutrients. It will help with dizziness, blurred vision, tinnitus and wasting syndrome. Goji is said to have cooling properties which makes it suitable for treating fevers, sweating, irritability, thirst and nosebleeds. It can also soothe coughs due to excess heat. Goji berries are indicated as an eye and liver tonic. In traditional Chinese medicine the liver is closely associated with the eyes, and thus they are used for failing eyesight.

Goji berries make an ideal snack food. They are delicious eaten straight out of hand or combined with chopped nuts, chocolate, fruits or an addition to smoothies. Use your imagination and incorporate them into a variety of recipes. And if you have kids they’ll make a stealthy super nutritious snack food that they’ll really enjoy.

8 ounce package (8 servings)

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