Goji berries are perennial deciduous shrubs of the Solanaceae family, native to Ningxia. The dried mature fruit of the goji berry, also known as gouqi, ciguozi, mingmizi, gounaizi, etc., is now produced in Ningxia, Qinghai, Shandong, Henan and other regions. Goji berries can nourish the liver and kidneys, benefit essence, and improve eyesight, making them an excellent dual-purpose food and medicine.
Several effects of goji berries
1. Anti-aging. Goji berries have been a top-grade tonic for nourishing and rejuvenating people since ancient times, with the effect of delaying aging and fighting senility, hence the name "qu laozi" (old-dispeller). The vitamin C content in goji berries is higher than in oranges, the beta-carotene content is higher than in carrots, and the iron content is higher than in steak.
2. Aphrodisiac. The aphrodisiac effect of goji berries is surprisingly pleasant.
3. Whitening and beauty care. For women, regular consumption of goji berries can also have a whitening and beautifying effect.
4. Liver nourishment and eye improvement. Goji berries are sweet and neutral in nature, and they act on the liver and kidney meridians. They have the effect of nourishing the liver and kidneys, and improving eyesight. They are often used with other herbs such as Shu Di Huang, Ju Hua, Shan Yao, and Shan Zhu Yu.
5. Tonifying deficiency and generating essence. The entire goji plant is a treasure. Goji berries can tonify deficiency and generate essence. They can be used as medicine or to make tea, wine, or soups. Regular consumption can strengthen the body.
6. Cancer suppression and prevention. Goji berries have a significant inhibitory effect on cancer cells in vitro and can be used to prevent the spread of cancer cells and enhance the body's immune function.
Different effects of goji berries in different seasons
Spring: For those who often use computers, eyes can easily get tired. Use goji berries to make tea to nourish yin and improve eyesight. Take an appropriate amount of goji berries, wash them, put them in a cup, and brew with boiling water. Let it steep for 10-15 minutes before drinking. For better efficacy, cut the goji berries in half before brewing.
Summer: The weather is hot, and goji berry water can clear liver heat. To fully release the effects of goji berries, the best method is decoction. Put goji berries in a clay pot, add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
Autumn: The air is dry. Take an appropriate amount of washed goji berries and cook them with japonica rice to make porridge, which has a good effect of nourishing yin and moistening dryness.
Winter: It is cold in winter, and people need to抵御 the cold. Soak an appropriate amount of goji berries in alcohol for 7 days before drinking. You can also drink goji berry water, which can also nourish yin, resist cold, moisten the lungs, and combat dryness.
How many goji berries to eat daily for kidney tonifying effect
Generally speaking, it is more appropriate for healthy adults to eat about 20 grams of goji berries per day. If you want a therapeutic effect, it is best to eat about 30 grams per day.
10 grams: Improves eyesight
15 grams: Tonifies the kidneys
30 grams: Weight loss
Goji and Tremella Soup
Chewing goji berries directly is more effective
When using goji berries to make tea or soup, their medicinal effects cannot be fully released. Due to factors like water temperature and soaking time, only some of the medicinal components in the goji berries are released into the water or soup. Chewing them directly allows for more complete absorption of the nutrients in goji berries, which is more beneficial for their health effects. However, when chewing goji berries, it is best to halve the amount consumed, otherwise it is easy to over-tonify.
How to eat goji berries for the best kidney-tonifying effect?
1. Add a handful when stir-frying or making congee. Drinking goji berry tea is the most common method, but most of the vitamins in goji berries are water-soluble and can be easily destroyed by heat. It is recommended to briefly soak the dried goji berries and then add a small amount as an ingredient when stir-frying, making congee, or steaming buns and boiling dumplings.
2. Eat them like a normal food. A good way to eat goji berries is to incorporate them into porridge, rice, soups, and dishes like a normal food. This not only nourishes but also does not cause internal heat.
3. Add some when making soy milk. Many people use goji berries to make tea by simply soaking them, but the vitamins, carotene, etc., in the goji berries are difficult to fully absorb this way. You can add a small handful of goji berries when making soy milk with a soy milk machine, which allows for full utilization of the various nutrients and trace elements in the goji berries.
4. Chewing dried goji berries is more kidney-tonifying than making soup. Goji polysaccharide is a protein polysaccharide. If extracted by boiling in water, it will denature and reduce its medicinal efficacy. Therefore, in terms of consumption method, chewing goji berries directly allows for more complete absorption of nutrients and is more beneficial for their health effects. Generally, it is appropriate for healthy adults to eat about 20 grams of goji berries per day. If chewing them dry, the amount should be halved, otherwise it is easy to over-tonify.
Ribbon toad soup