Sharpen your Vision with Chinese Herbal Medicine

Goji berries are a Chinese herb that’s gained some mainstream popularity in recent years, to the extent that they’ve even been called a superfood. Called Gou Qi Zi in Chinese, but also known as Chinese wolfberry fruit, Goji berries are small, elongated red berries that grow on shrubby plants that are native to China.

Gou Qi Zi is considered a great herb to treat conditions of depletion. It can be powdered and included in formulas to support your Liver and Kidney systems, act as a blood tonic and to nourish Yin, which is something akin to your body’s nutritious coolant. Gou Qi Zi is often used to treat such symptoms as soreness or weakness in the lower back or legs, impotence or poor sperm production, diabetes and poor circulation. It also nourishes and moistens your lungs to treat a dry, debilitating cough.

In Chinese medicine, your spirit is reflected in your eyes, and practitioners can often gauge the depth of an illness by the brightness in their patient’s eyes. It is said that a dull look in the eyes means that the patient is really sick, but those with bright eyes who have similar symptoms have a better prognosis. In the Chinese herbal formulary, one function of Gou Qi Zi is to brighten the eyes. In addition to supporting your body’s constitution, it also means that it can treat blurred vision, declining eyesight and dizziness.

Gou Qi Zi, or Goji berries get its superstar status based on research both into its nutritional components and health benefits. It contains high amounts of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) as well as some of the B vitamins. Goji berries also have high amounts of several minerals and antioxidants, including Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant that is important in maintaining the health of your eyes.

In addition to its use in Chinese medicine, Western scientists have found that Goji berries have the following health benefits:

• Protects your eyes from age-related eye conditions, UV light and conditions caused by oxidative stress
• Improves your immune function
• Reduces inflammation and risk of certain cancers through its antioxidant properties
• It contains beta carotene which promotes healthy skin
• It helps stabilize blood sugar
• Improves mood and promotes better sleep
• Slows the progression of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease

So how do you work all the goodness of Goji berries into your diet? The answer is that Goji berries are incredibly versatile, and you can find the dried berries in many grocery stores. They work in both sweet and savory dishes, and can be used much in the same way as raisins or dried cranberries would be. These berries taste a bit like a sour cherry. Some simple ways to use Goji berries include:

• Add them to soups, stews or hot pot
• Steep them in your favorite tea
• Add the berries to baked goods, such as muffins or quick bread
• Top your oatmeal with them
• Add them to yogurt
• Toss your favorite salad with nuts and Goji berries
• Add them to spiced grains or pilafs
• Include them as an ingredient in your favorite trail mix
• Soak them and bake them in muffins

The bottom line is no matter what you call them—Goji berries, wolf berries or Gou Qi Zi—these little berries offer a big health boost. Not only are they healthy, but they’re versatile and easy to add to just about any recipe you’ve got going in your kitchen. Goji berries pack a nutritional punch and are a great addition to any diet.

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