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The Health Properties of Goji Berries
According to legend, around 800 AD, Tibetan Buddhist monks found berries growing on a vine near a well. The berries were goji berries. They fell off the vine and into the water in the well. The monks who drank the water from the well lived long and healthy lives. The monks attributed their renewed vigor and health to the berries that fell into the water they had been drinking. Over time, word spread about the healing and longevity powers of the goji berries. Travelers from all over Asia came to the well to get vines, which they planted in their villages. Throughout the centuries, goji berries was extensively used by the people in Southeast Asia and the Himalayan region for healing purposes. It was only recently that goji berries and their healing properties became known to America. In the last two years alone, goji berries have been subjected to numerous scientific studies in order to verify the validity of the many claims made about the fruit. Goji berries, whose scientific name is Lycium barbarum, grow on a bush with vine off-shoots. Primarily found in the Himalayan region of Central Asia, goji berries are not harvested by hands because touching the goji berries will spoil the berries and turn them into black. Instead, goji berries are harvested by shaking the vines and catching the fruits onto mats. The goji berries are then dried in the shade. Goji berries can be eaten fresh or dried, or they can be cold-pressed right off the vine and their juice extracted. Goji berries are rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are responsible for slowing down the aging process, and strengthening the heart and the immune system. Goji berries have been used in the treatment of certain medical conditions including ADD/ADHD, allergies, cancer, chronic fatigue, HIV, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia and anxiety. In addition to antioxidants, goji berries are also a rich source of essential amino acids, vitamins C, E and B-complex, omega-6 fatty acid and linoleic acid. Goji berries also contain more beta-carotene than any other fruits or vegetables, including carrots. Goji berries are also believed to enhance sexual performance and fertility. In Mongolia, pregnant women eat goji berries to prevent morning sickness. Asian women eat goji berries to help them reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and sleeplessness. The first scientific research on goji berries was conducted by several study groups in Asia. The studies used elderly subjects. The subjects were given goji berries once a day. According to the results of the studies, 67% doubled their white cell counts, which consequently increased their immune system. Ninety-five percent of the subjects reported an improvement in their appetites; another 95% reported that they are sleeping better and 35% said that their sexual energy increased. Today, clinical trials are being conducted in several countries. The impact of goji berries on early-onset diabetes, tuberculoses, dizziness, blurred vision, chronic cough and immune system disorders are currently being tested. In the clinical trials, subjects were given eight to ten grams of goji berries thrice a day. In the initial results, researchers found that the subjects' bone marrow deficiencies had significant improvement. This finding would point to the ability of goji berries to aid in the production of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. If this finding is replicated and validated, goji berries may end up having a significant impact on disorders of the immune system, including lupus, fibromyalgia and HIV.
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