We Chinese people emphasize the right timing, favorable conditions, and harmony among people in everything we do to achieve perfection. The same goes for eating; some foods are more effective when eaten in the morning, while others are best consumed at night to maximize their benefits. So, is it good to eat goji berries at night? What are the benefits?
Chewing a few goji berries before bed has great benefits.
The causes of dry mouth in the elderly are complex and can include not drinking water before bed, snoring, and breathing with the mouth open during sleep. Additionally, conditions like diabetes, chronic bronchitis, hyperthyroidism, and chronic pharyngitis can also cause nocturnal dry mouth.
Goji berries are effective for treating nocturnal dry mouth. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that nocturnal dry mouth is often caused by a deficiency of yin in the liver and kidneys, which prevents fluids from rising to nourish the mouth. Goji berries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, with the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, replenishing essence, and improving vision. They can be used to treat symptoms like dizziness, excessive tearing, coughing due to deficiency, and dry throat and mouth. Goji berries are particularly effective for treating dry mouth caused by yin deficiency and fluid damage. A famous modern Chinese physician, Zhang Xichun, once suffered from nocturnal thirst that was not quenched by drinking water. He then chewed an ounce of goji berries before bed, and his symptoms were relieved. Goji berries can nourish the yin of the liver and kidneys, generate fluids, and also calm the mind. Chewing goji berries before bed can not only relieve nocturnal dry mouth but also improve sleep. The typical dosage is 10-30 grams chewed before bed. Research shows that goji berries have anti-aging, anti-fatigue, blood sugar-lowering, and blood lipid-lowering effects. Therefore, regular consumption of goji berries can also help prevent and treat conditions like diabetes, coronary heart disease, fatty liver, and dry eye syndrome. However, individuals with fever, a weak spleen, or diarrhea should temporarily avoid taking goji berries.
Four Healthy Ways to Eat Goji Berries
Goji Berry Congee
Use 30-60 grams of goji berries and 100 grams of japonica rice, with a small amount of fermented soybeans added. Cook them together into a congee, then season with chopped green onions and salt. It can be eaten twice a day as breakfast or dinner to tonify the kidneys and replenish essence, nourish the blood and improve vision, and alleviate symptoms like soreness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, forgetfulness, and deficiency of the liver and kidneys. Long-term use can also strengthen yang.
White Fungus, Jujube, and Goji Berry Congee
Goji Berry Chicken Soup
You can also use goji berries when stewing chicken. Place about 15 grams of goji berries inside the chicken's cavity. Add appropriate amounts of chopped green onions, ginger, salt, and cooking wine. Steam in a covered pot over high heat for about 2 hours. Remove, discard the ginger and green onions, and add MSG. Drink the soup and eat the meat to nourish the liver and kidneys, and to improve symptoms like insomnia with dreams and spermatorrhea.
Dang Gui and Goji Berry Chicken Soup
Goji Berry Shredded Pork
Take 100 grams of goji berries, 500 grams of lean pork, and 100 grams of green asparagus. Shred the pork and asparagus. Heat a wok, add oil, then add the shredded pork and asparagus. Add cooking wine, followed by appropriate amounts of sugar, soy sauce, salt, and MSG. Finally, add the goji berries and stir-fry briefly. This is suitable for symptoms like dizziness due to blood deficiency, palpitations, and mental fatigue.
Goji Berry Shredded Pork
Black Beans with Goji Berries
Ingredients: 100 grams of black beans, 5 grams of goji berries, and 10 red jujubes.
Method: Add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, then add the black beans, goji berries, and red jujubes. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the ingredients are tender. It can be eaten daily in the morning and evening and can be consumed long-term.
Black Bean and Goji Berry Congee
Note: To see the effects of black bean and goji berry congee, you need to drink it every day. However, goji berries should not be consumed in excess. Generally, it is best not to exceed 20 grams per day. If you have a cold, fever, inflammation, or diarrhea, do not add goji berries to the congee; use only black beans. Alternatively, you can use cassia seeds instead of goji berries.