A nutritional powerhouse, the goji berry is filled with vitamins, antioxidants and essential acids. It's also reputed to possess anti-aging and strength building properties. 

They are usually bought in dried form although it is possible to grow your own organic goji berries. The dried, shrunken fruits look like red raisins and have a slightly bitter, sweet taste.  

Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) also called wolfberries grow on evergreen shrubs in the temperate and subtropical regions in China, Mongolia and in the Himalayas in Tibet. Goji berries are red, round in shape and very tender. After picking the goji fruits are preserved by slowly drying them in the shade.  

Goji Health Benefits 

Goji berries are one of the richest sources of vitamin C. They also contain a high percentage of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and vitamin E. Goji berries are found to have iron content in the ratio of 11gms per 100 grams. 

Goji berries contain high levels of essential fatty acids and over 15 different amino acids; these are necessary for the body's production of hormones and the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous systems. Goji  juice has also become quite a popular health drink, and some marketers claim Himalyan Goji berry juice increases longevity in human beings.

History Of The Goji Berry

Scientific research on goji berries have found them to possess several health benefits. Ancient literature mentions goji berries having been used as herbal medicines dating back 6000 years ago by physicians in India, China and Tibet. Goji has been used medicinally to:

•  improve blood circulation
• help strengthen limbs
• improve  eyesight
• protect the liver
• boost immune function
• help with sexual dysfunction  

Goji Recipe Ideas

Goji berries can used just like any other fruit. they make a great addition to:

• cereal,
• trail mixes,
• yogurt,
• muesli and
• smoothies

making them a perfect accompaniment to snacks.

You could try adding goji berries to a raw vegan chocolate shake made with

nut or seed milk 

raw cacao

Check out the recipe on our raw food videos page

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed