BENEFICIALGoji berries or Wolf berries grow wild in the Appalachian hills. An overwhelming body of research has now firmly established that the dietary intake of berry fruits has a positive and profound impact on human health, performance, and disease. Berry fruits, which are commercially cultivated and commonly consumed in fresh and processed forms in North America, include blackberry ( Rubus spp.), black raspberry ( Rubus occidentalis), blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum), cranberry (i.e., the American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon, distinct from the European cranberry, V. oxycoccus), red raspberry ( Rubus idaeus) and strawberry ( Fragaria x ananassa).
Wolfberries contain over 19 amino acids (6 times higher than bee
pollen), 21 trace minerals, more beta carotene than carrots and an
amazing 500 times more vitamin C than oranges. It is also packed with
vitamin B1, B6 and E.
Other berry fruits, which are lesser known but consumed in the traditional diets of North American tribal communities, include chokecherry ( Prunus virginiana), highbush cranberry ( Viburnum trilobum), serviceberry ( Amelanchier alnifolia), and silver buffaloberry ( Shepherdia argentea). In addition, berry fruits such as arctic bramble ( Rubus articus), bilberries ( Vaccinuim myrtillus; also known as bog whortleberries), black currant ( Ribes nigrum), boysenberries ( Rubus spp.), cloudberries ( Rubus chamaemorus), crowberries ( Empetrum nigrum, E. hermaphroditum), elderberries ( Sambucus spp.), gooseberry ( Ribes uva-crispa), lingonberries ( Vaccinium vitis-idaea), loganberry ( Rubus loganobaccus), marionberries ( Rubus spp.), Rowan berries ( Sorbus spp.), and sea buckthorn ( Hippophae rhamnoides), are also popularly consumed in other parts of the world. Recently, there has also been a surge in the consumption of exotic "berry-type" fruits such as the pomegranate ( Punica granatum), goji berries ( Lycium barbarum; also known as wolfberry), mangosteen ( Garcinia mangostana), the Brazilian açaí berry ( Euterpe oleraceae), and the Chilean maqui berry ( Aristotelia chilensis). Given the wide consumption of berry fruits and their potential impact on human health and disease, conferences and symposia that target the latest scientific research (and, of equal importance, the dissemination of this information to the general public), on the chemistry and biological and physiological functions of these "superfoods" are necessary.
Clinical Trials
Seventy nine advanced cancer patients in a clinical trial were treated
with LAK/IL-2 combining with Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides (LBP).
Initial results of the treatment from 75 evaluable patients indicated
that objective regression of cancer was achieved. [Article in Chinese]
Cao 1994
Results indicate treatment with a Chinese herbal decoction (Viscum
coloratum, Psoralea corylifolia, Eucommia ulmoides, Lycium chinense,
Tussilago farfara, Artemisia capillaris, and Pogostemon cablin) helped
reverse airway obstruction of asthmatics. [Article in Chinese] Fu 1989
Treatments
Wolfberries are used to treat or prevent visual degeneration, such as
cataracts, retinopathy, or macular degeneration. Currently, most
research papers focus on retinopathy. One report from the Department of
Ophthalmology in the Chinese University of Hong Kong demonstrated that
carotenoids in wolfberry had a high affinity for the retina. “Affinity”
means the nutrients in wolfberry showed a high concentration in the
retina after ingestion and absorption by the body.
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