Goji Berry Benefits

Goji berry benefits are numerous. Goji berries (gou qi zi in Chinese) have been a popular longevity tonic in China for centuries. They are mainly grown in north west China. Goji berries (also called wolfberries) are red and sweet tasting when ready for harvest and when dried look similar in shape and size to dried raisins. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine goji berry benefits include:

• Nourish blood
• Kidney & liver tonic
• Improve vision
• Enhance libido
• Calm nervous system
• Improve physical endurance
• Promote longevity

According to Western goji scientific research goji berries contain:

• 18 types of amino acids (needed for protein synthesis)
• 21 trace minerals (including iron, copper, zinc, calcium & selenium)
• Betacarotene (far more than carrots)
• Antioxidants
• An antiinflammatory agent
• Vitamin C (far more than oranges)
• Vitamins B1, B6 & E

Goji berries can be chewed by the handful, blended with water and other ingredients to make goji berry juice, added to soups and stews, steeped in hot water to make tea, or steeped in alcohol to make wine. While chewing goji berries is probably the easiest and quickest way to consume them, this author particularly likes making goji berry juice. Goji berry juice benefits are fast acting as the juice is absorbed by your body more quickly.

Goji Berry Juice Recipe

Here's how to make your own goji berry juice:

• Quarter cup of goji berries
• Half an apple (cut into small pieces)
• Cup of water
• Honey to taste

Put ingredients in a blender and mix till smooth.

Note: Goji berries should be washed thoroughly first - at the very least they may be a bit dusty. Also, use the above recipe as a guide to creating other drinks. For example, substituting pear, carrot or banana for apple makes an equally delicious and highly nutritious goji berry juice drink.

Goji Berries Side Effects

Goji berries are safe for virtually anyone to eat, just as other berries are. However, they should not be consumed if you have diarrhea - they'll make your diarrhea worse. Conversely, goji berries are a good constipation remedy. For constipation, try eating a handful of berries or drinking a cup of goji juice first thing in the morning and again at night before bed.

Sexual Benefits of Goji Berries

Goji berries are a traditional Chinese sexual tonic for men and women. Traditionally goji berries are said to increase sexual stamina, nourish semen and promote production of
sexual hormones. Often in Chinese medicine they are combined with other herbs like ginseng for greater libido-boosting benefits.

Cooking with Goji Berries

Another easy way to get the goji berry benefits is by adding them to meals you cook. Traditionally, Chinese people add goji berries to soups and rice porridge. Add a quarter cup of berries to chicken, beef or lamb soup or stew. For goji berry porridge, boil in water 30g of berries and 60 g of rice or oats.

While little Western goji scientific research and testing has been done so far it is of little concern to traditional Chinese doctors who know from the test of time that goji berry benefits are indeed numerous. To get the full goji berry benefits though it's important to take them regularly. Just be sure to, as mentioned above, wash them well first and don't take them if you have diarrhea. For more on how goji berries can benefit YOU specifically, consult of practitioner of traditional Chinese herbal medicine or acupuncture.