Tibetan Goji Berries - Blessing From Nature
Tibet has become famous not only as one of the entry points to the world's highest mountain, Mount Everest. Of late, this Himalayan territory has also earned the reputation of being the singular best source of Goji berries, a potent health food supplement as its Western resellers claim.
These berries grow in natural abundance in Tibet and are traditionally known by Tibetans for their highly rich nutrient content. Lama doctors and the nomadic Mongolians and Tibetans have the traditional belief that regular consumption of these berries promotes a long, active and happy life.
Recognizing the importance of Tibetan Goji berries to Tibet's cultural and socio-economic life, the Tanaduk Botanical Research Institute of Tibetan Medicine undertook a project to promote cultivation and conservation of the plant, and eventually share its benefits to the outside world. A cooperative for Goji berry farmers was organized and an international outlet for their produce was established. Among the prime movers of this project were Tibetan lamas, botanists, doctors and researchers.
The Goji berry which the institute's project focused on stood out from among 41 varieties from the Lycium species that were studied by Tibetan researchers. This particular species, Lycium tibeticum/chinensis, exhibited similar phytogenetic and taxa characteristics with the wild-growing Lycium berries used by the nomads in Mongolia and Tibet. This particular berries, so the institute claims, has rich phyto energetic properties incomparable to any other Lycium berry, be it Chinese or Western.
The institute takes vigorous exception on claims that the Chinese lycium berry, scientifically referred to as Lycium barbarum, is similar to Tibetan Goji berry. The term Goji, the institute declares, is colloquial to Mongolian and Tibetan dialects. More importantly, it was stressed that Tibetan Goji berries are cultivated using wild-crafting methods, making the fruits pure and within organic standards exceeding those set by US authorities. That these crops are raised in isolated Himalayan valleys whose fields are free from pesticides, pollutants or contaminants, further make Tibetan berries superior than the Chinese L. barbarum.
According to Tibetan Goji literature, consumers can distinguish this fruit for its uniquely delicious flavor whether taken raw or cooked. Tibetan children in particular love these berries. Taken as a dietary supplement, these berries supposedly bring anti-bacterial benefits, act as an anti-cancer agent, as well as a treatment for ulcers, jaundice, opthalmia, urinary tract infections, among other ailments.
As a food supplement, Tibetan Goji berries are promoted as a rich reservoir for vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C and E. Promotional materials also cite Goji berries for their abundance in bioactive compounds and essential fatty acids.
One suggestion to swiftly experience the potency of berries is to have it prepared as one of the ingredients in a cocktail of fruit juice mixes. This suggested cocktail mix consists of equal amounts of Goji berries, cherries, blueberries, cherries, apples, peaches, blackberries and raspberries. These ingredients are mixed in a blender for a few seconds, with a cup of orange juice or water for easy mixing. The promised result is one enervating drink that delivers an elixir to the cellular level.
These berries grow in natural abundance in Tibet and are traditionally known by Tibetans for their highly rich nutrient content. Lama doctors and the nomadic Mongolians and Tibetans have the traditional belief that regular consumption of these berries promotes a long, active and happy life.
Recognizing the importance of Tibetan Goji berries to Tibet's cultural and socio-economic life, the Tanaduk Botanical Research Institute of Tibetan Medicine undertook a project to promote cultivation and conservation of the plant, and eventually share its benefits to the outside world. A cooperative for Goji berry farmers was organized and an international outlet for their produce was established. Among the prime movers of this project were Tibetan lamas, botanists, doctors and researchers.
The Goji berry which the institute's project focused on stood out from among 41 varieties from the Lycium species that were studied by Tibetan researchers. This particular species, Lycium tibeticum/chinensis, exhibited similar phytogenetic and taxa characteristics with the wild-growing Lycium berries used by the nomads in Mongolia and Tibet. This particular berries, so the institute claims, has rich phyto energetic properties incomparable to any other Lycium berry, be it Chinese or Western.
The institute takes vigorous exception on claims that the Chinese lycium berry, scientifically referred to as Lycium barbarum, is similar to Tibetan Goji berry. The term Goji, the institute declares, is colloquial to Mongolian and Tibetan dialects. More importantly, it was stressed that Tibetan Goji berries are cultivated using wild-crafting methods, making the fruits pure and within organic standards exceeding those set by US authorities. That these crops are raised in isolated Himalayan valleys whose fields are free from pesticides, pollutants or contaminants, further make Tibetan berries superior than the Chinese L. barbarum.
According to Tibetan Goji literature, consumers can distinguish this fruit for its uniquely delicious flavor whether taken raw or cooked. Tibetan children in particular love these berries. Taken as a dietary supplement, these berries supposedly bring anti-bacterial benefits, act as an anti-cancer agent, as well as a treatment for ulcers, jaundice, opthalmia, urinary tract infections, among other ailments.
As a food supplement, Tibetan Goji berries are promoted as a rich reservoir for vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, C and E. Promotional materials also cite Goji berries for their abundance in bioactive compounds and essential fatty acids.
One suggestion to swiftly experience the potency of berries is to have it prepared as one of the ingredients in a cocktail of fruit juice mixes. This suggested cocktail mix consists of equal amounts of Goji berries, cherries, blueberries, cherries, apples, peaches, blackberries and raspberries. These ingredients are mixed in a blender for a few seconds, with a cup of orange juice or water for easy mixing. The promised result is one enervating drink that delivers an elixir to the cellular level.
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