Fight Free Radical Damage With Lycium Fruit Extract
Lycium is the red berry obtained from two closely related plants, Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum, naturally occurring in Asia, primarily in northwest China (mainly in Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, and Inner Mongolia, but east as far as Hebei and west to Tibet and Xinjiang). The fruits from these species are considered interchangeable, though larger fruits are preferred and are more often found on plants of L. barbarum. Lycium is in the Solanaceae family that yields numerous foods, including some that are yellow to red fruits, such as peppers, tomatoes, and the Cape gooseberry (a Peruvian species of Physalis).
The Chinese name for the lycium plant is Gouqi and for the fruits is gouqizi (zi is used to describe small fruits); the common name “wolfberry” also known as Goji berry comes about because the character gou is related to the one that means dog or wolf. The spiny shrub has also been called matrimony vine, for reasons long lost. Carl Linnaeus provided the genus name Lycium in 1753. He is responsible for the species name barbarum, while botanist Philip Miller described Lycium chinense just 15 years later. Lycium is extensively cultivated, especially in Ningxia Province, a small autonomous region formerly part of Gansu, with several production projects initiated since 1987. China now produces over 5 million kilograms of dried lycium fruit each year, most of it for domestic use. The fruits are dried with or without sulfur to yield the market herb, or the fresh fruits may be squeezed for their juice that is then concentrated to preserve it for future use in making various beverages.
Lycium fruit is used extensively in Chinese herbalism. The fruit are the berries of Lycium Chinese and more commonly Lycium barbarum. The roots also have healing properties. Lycium is a shrub that grows to about 12 ft (4 m) in height. It grows wild on hillsides in the cooler regions of northern China and Tibet. However, it is also grown as a cultivated plant in almost all parts of China and in some other regions of Asia.
Lycium fruit is rich in carotene, vitamins B-1 and B-12, and vitamin C. The fruit also contains amino acids (the building blocks of proteins), iron, and trace elements essential to the body, including zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, and phosphorus. The bright red berries are usually harvested in late summer or early autumn. The roots are usually harvested in the spring, although they can be dug any time of the year. Berries and roots can be used either fresh or dried.. Its Chinese name is Gou Qi Zi.
Many studies have shown Lycium fruits increase the lymphocyte transformation rate and improve the macrophage phagocytic function in animals. Lycium assists spleen lymphocyte transformation induced by Concavalin A. Lycium increases the antibody reaction to T cell-dependant antigen (SRBC) which means that it selectively strengthen the T cell immune response, it is believed to be the result of increasing the number of E receptors on the surface of T cells or increasing the numbers of T cells directly. Lycium also can be used to reduce lead toxicity by inhibiting the reduction of T cells and delayed allergy activity induced by lead.
Lycium fruit functions to maintain normal cell growth as well as improve DNA restoration and repair probably due to its antioxidant capacity. It also has the function of anti-peroxidation of free radicals, therefore changing the electrical parameters of cell membranes to the normal range.
In one study in China, a 48% increase of Super Oxide Dismutase and a 12% increase of hemoglobin were found in serum for all senior participants. A 65% decrease of LPO in serum was found in the same study. This indicates Lycium fruit may be a potent antioxidant, which may slow the aging process.
Lycium fruit is an amazing fruit that can possibly slow the aging process through its antioxidant properties. Look for lycium fruit in antioxidant blends or as an individual product labeled as goji berry. This wonderful fruit is available in capsule and tablet forms at your local and internet health food store.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Lycium fruit is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 4:28 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.