I have heard that goji berries are beneficial – for antioxidant reasons I think – but I haven’t paid any attention to them. I didn’t have my first taste until January 2012 when I went to an appointment with my Oriental medicine doc. He gave them to me because he cleared my digestive block and my stomach was roaring hungry. Obnoxiously so. Apparently I had been experiencing hypoglycemia for awhile and didn’t know it. See $#^% and Great Oriental Doc Visit. The goji berries were delicious and the idea of them stayed with me. I finally ordered some through the wholesale Frontier Co-op that I am part of through my local chapter of the Holistic Moms Network and tried them last night. They aren’t nearly as good as my Doc’s, but I am intrigued by them. What’s the big deal?
First, they are called the Wolfberry, but their commercial name is the Goji Berri. Goji sounds much more exotic and enticing. I wouldn’t have been as curious about a Wolfberry (and clearly I am not that curious because I haven’t researched them until now). Apparently they are very nutritious and high in antioxidants. I wonder if the dried ones I have still contain the nutrition and antioxidants? Does bitter taste equal loss of nutrition or are mine just not that good?
Apparently the Food and Drug Administration has seized goji berries from China, the predominant grower of goji berries, because they contain high amounts of pesticides and fungicides. The berries are delicate and bugs like them a lot.
The packaging on the Frontier Co-op bag does not say organic or pesticide-free but it does say non-irradiated. They are classified as an herbal supplement not to be used during pregnancy. I went to the Frontier website, and it says that they are from China.
This goji berry update from Wilderness Family Naturals states that it is impossible to find an organic goji berry, and Wilderness Family imports non-sprayed/treated berries from China. I need to find out if Frontier knows about the chemical treatment of the berries I received.
What else about goji berries? Pub Med is showing that they may help prevent diabetes-related blindness, and they may slow or prevent cancer growth see this Pub Med article regarding prostate cancer in mice. There are a few articles about unique allergic reactions and possible complications with medication – especially warfain, a blood thinner.
Overall, clean goji berries sound pretty good. Now to actually find clean ones that taste good.
Have you considered growing your own? They do well in this area. A good source is Edible Landscape in Va.
http://ediblelandscaping.com/products/berries/GojiBerries/CrimsonStarGojiBerry.php
Posted by: Cat Stewart | May 27, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Great to know...hopefully own my own place soon! Thanks!
Posted by: Laura Combs | May 28, 2012 at 03:25 PM