When the weather is cold, eating goji berries for health is the most common practice, especially for women. However, it is important to remind everyone that this health practice is not suitable for everyone, and it is necessary to pay attention to the contraindications.
Chewing a few goji berries before bed has great benefits.
The causes of dry mouth in the elderly are complex and can be triggered by not drinking water before bed, snoring, or breathing through the mouth while sleeping. Additionally, conditions like diabetes, chronic bronchitis, hyperthyroidism, and chronic pharyngitis can also lead to nocturnal dry mouth.
Goji berries are effective in treating nocturnal dry mouth. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) posits that nocturnal dry mouth is often caused by a deficiency of liver and kidney yin, which prevents fluids from nourishing the upper body. Goji berries are sweet in taste and neutral in nature, with the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, replenishing essence, brightening the eyes, promoting the production of body fluids, and calming the mind. They can be used to treat symptoms like dizziness with excessive tearing, coughing due to deficiency, and dryness from thirst. Goji berries are particularly effective at treating dry mouth caused by yin deficiency and fluid damage. The renowned modern Chinese physician Zhang Xichun once suffered from nocturnal polydipsia, where he could not quench his thirst no matter how much he drank. He would "chew one liang of goji berries before bed," and his symptoms subsequently eased. Goji berries can nourish the yin of the liver and kidneys, promote fluid production, and calm the mind. Chewing them before bed can not only alleviate nocturnal dry mouth but also aid sleep. The typical dosage is 10-30 grams chewed before bed. Studies have shown 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.
Who should not eat goji berries?
Those with a cold or fever: Goji berries are considered a "hot" medicinal food. A cold or fever involves a weakened body with internal heat, so consuming goji berries or drinking them as a tea during this time can worsen the condition.
Patients with various inflammatory conditions: For individuals with any form of inflammation, consuming goji berries, whether orally or as a tea, can exacerbate the inflammation and may even trigger other adverse symptoms.
Patients with diarrhea: The "Ben Jing Shu" (a classic Chinese medical text) states: "Do not use for those with a weak spleen and stomach who have frequent diarrhea." For patients with diarrhea due to deficiency, eating goji berries can accelerate the symptoms and affect bodily functions, so they should not be consumed during a bout of diarrhea.
Patients with high blood pressure or diabetes: For individuals with high blood pressure, consuming goji berries can cause blood pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, goji berries themselves are high in sugar, so they should not be consumed by diabetics.
Those with weak or poor gastrointestinal function: Taking goji berries raw or as a tea can cause indigestion, loss of appetite, stomach bloating, acid reflux, and other symptoms, which are particularly pronounced in the summer.
Those with hyperactive libido: There is a folk saying, "When you are a thousand miles away from your wife, do not eat goji berries," as they are believed to enhance sexual excitement. Therefore, individuals with a naturally overactive libido may find that consuming goji berries exacerbates this condition, leading to a series of physical discomforts.
Those with a "heat" constitution: While goji berries are nourishing, they also have a warming effect on the body. Therefore, people with internal damp-heat or phlegm-dampness obstruction, who may exhibit symptoms like high blood pressure, a quick temper, a flushed face from a meat-heavy diet, or those with a cold, fever, inflammation, or diarrhea, should avoid them. Otherwise, not only will the health benefits not be achieved, but the condition may worsen.
Those with a weak spleen and stomach: The "Ben Hui Yan" states: "Do not use for those with a spleen and stomach afflicted by cold-phlegm and frequent diarrhea." For individuals with a weak spleen, frequently drinking goji berry tea can easily lead to an exacerbation of cold-phlegm obstruction in the spleen and stomach, resulting in indigestion. Individuals with a "yin-excess" constitution, such as those who are overweight, have a greasy tongue coating, feel cold, have no desire to drink, or have a weak and cold spleen and stomach, should not eat goji berries. Furthermore, people with a weak spleen and stomach should avoid goji berries during the hot summer, as it can lead to a decreased appetite, a feeling of fullness and bloating in the epigastric region, or acid reflux.