The History of Goji Berries
Goji berries have had an important place in traditional Asian medicine for hundreds of years while its nutritional benefits have only come to rest of the world more recently.
The ancient Himalayans were the first to use the fruit. The goji berry gave them health and energy for thousands of years. The plant then moved on to China and India and with it, the Goji berries’ properties were discovered by more people.
There are the stories in Chinese myths which identify the Goji berry as the fruit of immortality. They’re linked in Chinese lore to Shen Nung (Shennong), China's First Emperor, who lived around 2,800 BC. He is considered to be the mythical father of agriculture, as well as a renowned herbalist.
During the Tang Dynasty at around 800 AD, legend says that there was a well near a famous Buddhist temple that was covered with goji vines. Those who drank the water from the well had healthy complexions and even when they reached old age, they had no white hair and still had all of their teeth. This was due to the Goji berries falling from the vines into the well. The poet Liu Yuxi wrote that “the goji nourishes body and soul, drink of the well and enjoy long life”.
Chinese healers and herbalists used Goji berries to treat a number of complaints. The first known use of the berries is in 100 AD in the Divine Farmer’s Handbook of Natural Medicine. Even today, traditional Chinese medicine recommends goji berries for numerous conditions including liver, immune system and circulation problems.
Chinese scientists started to study the effects of Goji berries about 30 years ago and there have been some interesting results of their research. Today, as awareness of them is on the increase, there are many trials underway in different countries across the world testing the different benefits of the berries.