| Lycium barbarum grows to about 2 to 4 meters in the | | | | lot on the extent to which the berries were ripened |
| form of a bush. It grows at an almost slow pace. You | | | | during picking, the soil in which they grew and also the |
| can find flowers on this bush from June to August and | | | | region where they grew. Also, how it was handled |
| the development period of the seeds are from August | | | | after harvest, how was it stored and for how long, |
| to October. Flowers of lycium barbarum are | | | | water content and also testing affect the nutritional |
| hermaphrodite by nature which means that flowers | | | | content of lycium barbarum. |
| contains both the male and female reproductive parts | | | | Various researches have been done and bulk of them |
| and is generally pollinated by bees. | | | | in China that studies the effect of lycium barbarum in |
| Its requirements include light, medium or heavy soils | | | | treating medical problems. Most of them have |
| which should be well-drained. What is more, it could | | | | revealed that it contains antioxidants that help it to |
| grow well in even poor soil. As for nature, it could grow | | | | treat cardiovascular and other inflammatory diseases. |
| well in acidic, basic as well as neutral soil. You can | | | | That is why it is used to treat vision problems. Lycium |
| either grow it in sun or in semi shade but the soil should | | | | barbarum has neuroprotective, anti-carcinogenic and |
| be moist. It is very drought resistant and can withstand | | | | immunomodulatory properties. It is true that these are |
| extremes of temperature. Just like Noni, Hoodia and | | | | not approved by regulatory authorities yet the |
| Mangosteen, Lycium barbarum are now being sold as | | | | researches are the steps in the right direction. |
| another big thing in the health food world. The best | | | | Decoction tasting sweet is prepared with lycium |
| thing about it is that with all its wonderful properties, it is | | | | barbarum which helps lower blood pressure, blood |
| actually delicious to eat. | | | | sugar and blood cholesterol levels. It is also being used |
| Chinese medicines have utilized lycium barbarum for | | | | to treat vertigo, male sexual dysfunction, lumbago and |
| centuries. It is thought to build immune system, improve | | | | problems related to menopause. The root bark is |
| vision and protect liver and kidneys. They describe | | | | generally bitter but has cooling and anti-bacterial |
| wolfberries as something which tastes sweet and is | | | | properties and could be used to treat coughs, fever, |
| neutral in nature. These work on the lungs, liver and | | | | blood pressure and cholesterol. It could be taken |
| kidneys. These could be eaten raw or could be taken | | | | internally to treat internal hemorrhages, chronic fevers, |
| as juice or wine. One could also brew it as tea or as | | | | tuberculosis, nosebleeds, asthma and coughs and other |
| tincture. | | | | related problems. |
| As for its nutritional components, lycium barbarum is | | | | For genital itching, it could be applied externally. |
| very rich in carbohydrates, proteins, fat and fiber. On a | | | | Harvesting season for bark is in the winters and is then |
| percentage basis, dried wolfberries contain about 68% | | | | dried to be used later. All the fruits of this genus are |
| of carbohydrate, protein is 12% and fiber and fat 10% | | | | very rich sources of vitamins and minerals including |
| each. So, 100 gm of wolfberries gives you 370 | | | | Vitamin A, B, C and E, flavones and several other |
| kilocalories (270 from carbohydrates and 90 from fat). | | | | bio-active ingredients. Fruits generally dont contain |
| As for vitamins, they are very rich in Vitamins A, B1, | | | | essential fatty acids but lycium barbarum is an |
| B6, C and E. | | | | exception in this case. |
| The building blocks of proteins, amino acids are also | | | | Researches are on to check if it is really an |
| found in wolfberries. All in all, it contains 19 amino acids | | | | anti-carcinogenic compound which could inhibit or even |
| containing 8 essential amino acids. As for trace | | | | reverse cancerous growth. The intake of lycium |
| minerals, it has about 21 types of trace minerals | | | | barbarum is shown to increase plasma Zeaxanthin. |
| including iron, zinc, copper, selenium, germanium, calcium | | | | Research has been on at the laboratory of |
| and phosphorus. Carrots are the best source of beta | | | | Neurodegenerative Diseases, under the department of |
| carotene. It has more beta carotene than carrots. | | | | Anatomy, Hong Kong University. They are studying the |
| Essential fatty acids help produce hormones and also | | | | anti-aging properties of lycium barbarum on humans. |
| helps in brain and nervous system functioning. Well, | | | | It is a well known fact that old age is a disease in itself |
| yes, lycium barbarum do have essential fats. They are | | | | for many. A number of new diseases crop up with old |
| the best sources of carotenoids, Z Beta Sitosterol, | | | | age. Studies are on that show the effectiveness of |
| Zeaxanthin, Lutine, Betaine, Cyperone, Solavetivone, | | | | lycium barbarum on anti-aging which could also combat |
| Physalin, etc. | | | | Alzheimer's disease. |
| But one thing must be understood. All these depend a | | | | |