Until about 5 years ago, almost no one in the West had heard of the NingXia wolfberry or Goji berry plant. Often referred to as the "herb of longevity", this red berry is making the news these days. Its Latin name is Lycium barbarum L. Of the 10 Chinese Lycium species, Lycium barbarum L is the only one accepted by the Chinese Pharmacopecia. Some reports claim that the wolfberry originated in Tibet. Due to its high elevation, no wolfberries are grown in or around Tibet. NingXia wolfberries are native to NingXia Hui, a small area of northern China, near the Yellow River. The Yellow River flood plain derives its water from the Himalayan Mountains. The river creates a unique, mineral rich, super fertile silt-water flood plain found no where else in the world. It is the perfect place to grow the wolfberries. What is so special about this berry? 1) The NingXia wolfberry is the most powerful source of antioxidants of any food yet discovered. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent cellular DNA damage and mutations. Free radical damage has been linked to premature aging, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and numerous other diseases common in our society. 2) The wolfberry contains four unique polysaccharides. One of them could be responsible for the strong immune boosting, anti-cancer, and cardioprotective effects of the wolfberry. The other three have immunologic and liver protective effects. 3) The wolfberry is especially high in several amino acids that have been studied for their ability to increase growth hormone secretion by the pituitary gland. As we grow older, our glands secrete fewer hormones. The replacement of these hormones can increase longevity and reduce the signs of aging. Some people taking the wolfberry have experienced restoration of original hair color, eyesight and hearing improvements, sounder sleep, increased libido, reduction of chronic aches and pains, increased energy levels, improved mental alertness, reduced skin wrinkling, fewer respiratory track infections, and better overall sense of well being. In the NingXia Hui region, where the people consume the wolfberries on a daily basis, statistics show that there are 16-30 times more 100 year olds than in the rest of China. Wolfberry legends and records date back 5,000 years. There is a story of a woman who lived over 300 years and claimed her secret to longevity was the wolfberry. More recent evidence was published in Domestic and Foreign magazine about the herbal master, Li Qingyun, who lived over 200 years and died in 1930. He revealed his secret to longevity was to take 5 grams of the wolfberries daily. According to Fortune magazine, The Center for Disease Control reported that 44 percent of Americans are taking at least one drug and 17 percent are taking three or more. Why? Because that is what we expect from doctors. Today's American children may be the first generation to have shorter life spans than their parents. Childhood obesity rates have tripled in recent decades. Obese children are now developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease at an alarming rate. Our standard American diet needs some help. With our highly processed foods and depleted soils, is it any wonder that so many are malnourished, even if they do not know it, and why diseases that were rare in the pre-industrial age are now common. Would it not make sense to look at what is missing from our diets and fortify our defenses? A recent study revealed that 20-30 percent of your health is determined by genetics. This means that 70-80 percent of your health is determined by diet and lifestyle. |
