Introduction

The Chinese wolfberry plant (Lycium barbarum) grows in a remote area of central China near Inner Mongolia. When ripe, the berries are red, oblong in shape and juicy. For more than two thousand years, the berries or “gou ji zi” have been treasured for their multiple health benefits.

Wolfberries are traditionally used in many herbal formulas to maintain overall health. The berries are mainly dried, and then used in soups, teas and wines or simply chewed like raisins. From extensive scientific studies in China, many active substances with medical benefits have been found that substantiate the ancient medical applications. The herb has been declared a national treasure by China’s State Scientific and Technological Commission and is being used by the renowned Chinese Olympic swimmers.

Berries are now mainly obtained from plants cultivated under optimal conditions in their natural range. Juices and capsules from the berries are also now popular.

Pure Wolfberry Powder Capsules

xxx mg powder, 90 capsules/bottle

These “chi Jia” brand wolfberry capsules contain the ground powder of pure wolfberries, with no fillers added. The plants are grown under optimal conditions in their natural growing area of China, such that the berries are rich in the active substances (polysaccharides, zeazanthin, etc.).

Recommended Uses

Wolfberries are considered to nourish the “yin” and so balance the “yang”, i.e. wolfberries replenish vital essences and strengthen major organs, e.g. the eyes, liver, kidney and blood system. They are used for longevity, as well as for specific purposes.

Wolfberries are used for the following body-strengthening purposes :

• Improve eye health and vision
• Stimulate the immune system
• Stimulate anti-oxidant protection
• Prevent and treat cancer
• Treat diabetes (blood sugar, etc. etc.)
• Protect the liver
• Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Reduce inflammation
• Reduce cough and asthma
• Treat ringing in ears (tinnitus)
• Treat anemia
• Enhance fertility

Recommended Dosages

Wolfberry capsules may be taken every day and as long as desired by everyone. The dosage is highly flexible and depends upon the purpose. The time for results varies amongst persons and depends on individual reaction to wolfberry. Many Chinese take wolfberry on a regular basis, to improve their health in the long run.

References

1. Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) Chinese medical textbook dating to the Qin and Han periods (221 B.C.-220 A.D.). Tianjin Scientific Technology Publishing Press, 1986. Chinese version translated by research scientist Sue Chao.

2. Shen Nung Ben Tsao (25-220 A.D.)

3. Ben Cao Gang Mu (Ming Dynasty 1368-1644 A.D.) People's Health Publishing Press, 1982, Chinese version translated by Sue Chao.

4. State Scientific and Technological Commission of China, Pharmacological Experiment on Lycium, Register No. 870303.

5. State Scientific and Technological Commission of China, Clinical Experiment on Lycium, Register No. 870306.

6. Qi Zongshao, Li Shufang, Wu Jiping, et al. Chemical Analysis on Lycium Barbarum Fruit and Leaves. Zhong Yao Tong Bao (Chinese Herb News). 1986, 11(3):41.

7. Geng Changshan, Wang Geying, Lin Yongdong, et al. Effects on Mouse Lymphocyte and T Cells from Lycium Barbarum Polysaccaride (LBP). Zhong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbs). 1988,19(7):25.

8. Huang Guifang, Luo Jieying. Immune Boosting Effects from Fu Fang Wu Zi Yang Zong Wan (a Chinese patent herb containing Lycium barbarium fruit). Zhong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbs). 1990, 12(6): 27.

9. Li Wei, Dai Shouzhi, Ma Fu, et al. Active Lymphocyte Effects Observed after Taking Lycium Barbarum Fruits. Zhong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbs). 1991, 22(6): 251

10. Lu CX, Cheng BQ. Radiosensitizing Effects of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide of Lewis Lung Cancer. Chung His I chieh Ho Tsa Chih. 1991, Oct.: 11(10): 611-612.

11. Tao Maoxuan, Zhao Zhongliang. In Vitro Anti-Mutation Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccaride (LBP). Zong Cao Yao (Chinese Herbs). 1992, 23(9):474.

12. Cao GW, Yang WG, Du P. Observation of the Effects of LAK/IL-2 Therapy Combined with Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in the Treatment of 75 Cancer Patients. Chunghua Chung Liu Tsa Chih. 1994, Nov.; 16(6): 428-431

13. Gan L, Wang J, Zhang S. Inhibition the growth of human leukemia cells by Lycium barbarum polysaccharide. Wei Sheng Yan.Jiu. 2001;30:333-5.

14. Gan L, Zhang SH, Liu Q, Xu HB. A polysaccharide-protein complex from Lycium barbarum upregulates cytokine expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2003;471:217-22.

15. Lycium barbarum Medical Effects, improves eyesight, Ningxia Scientific and Technological Commission, July 1982-Jan. 1984.

16. Cheng et al. Fasting Plasma zeaxanthin Response to Fructus Barbarum L. (Wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a Food-based human Supplementation Trial. British Journal of Nutrition (2005), 93, 123-130

17. Kim HP, Kim SY, Lee EJ, Kim YC. Zeaxanthin Dipalmitate from Lycium Barbarum Has Hepatoprotective Activity. Res. Commun Mol Pathol Pharmacol. 1997, Sep.; (3): 301-314.

18. He Jie, Pan Li, Guo Fuxiang, et al. Hepatoprotective Effects from Lycium Barbarum Fruit in a Mouse Experiment. China Pharmacology and Toxicology. 1993, 7(4): 293.

19. Li yuhao, Deng Xiangchao, Wu Heqing, et al. The Effect on Lipid Metabolism of Injured Liver Cells in Rat. Zhong Guo Zhong Yao Za Zhi (Journal of Chinese Herbal Medicine). 1994, 19(5):300.

20. Kim SY, Lee EJ, Kim HP, Lee HS, Kim YC. LCC, a cerebroside from Lycium chinense, protects primary cultured rat hepatocytes exposed to galactosamine. Phytother Res 2000;14:448-51.

21. Law M. Plant sterol and stanol margarines and health. British Medical J 2000;320:861-4.

22. Baynes JM. Role of oxidative stress in development of complications in diabetes. Diabetes, 1991, 40:405.

23. Zhao WH, Liang JC, Hu BH. Analysis of serum lipid peroxide, ascorbate (vitamin C), vitamin E in diabetic patients with retinopathy. Chinese Journal of Fundus Diseases. 1995, 11:249.

24. Li M, Du CX, Zhang FY, et al. Lycium barbarum’s (Wolfberry) effect on serum superoxidase dismutase activity in elder population. Ningxia Medical University News. 1990, 12:13.

25. Dai SZ, Wen RL, et al. Antiaging effect of Lycium barbarum and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP). Ningxia Medical University News. 1992, 14:12.

The Active Iingredients in Wolfberry

Since the early 1980's, the wolfberry has been extensively studied in China (see Reference section), notably by the prestigious State Scientific and Technological Commission (Ref.: 4 & 5). From such scientific studies, wolfberries were found to be a nutritionally dense fruit containing numerous active substances, as listed below :

• polysaccharides (LBP)
• zeaxanthin (Vit. A precursor)
• cerebroside (LCC)
• betasitosterol
• amino acids (incl. all 8 essential)
• minerals (Zn, Fe, Cu, Ca, Ge, Se, P)
• vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6, betaine & E)

The main active substances are polysaccharides - Lycium barbarum polysaccharides or LBP (Ref. 6). Studies have shown that LBP strengthens the immune system (Ref. 7 – 9) and has anti-cancer activities (Ref. 10 – 14). In one study (Ref. 12), seventy-nine advanced cancer patients took the cancer drug LAK/IL-2 with LBP. With LBP, the cancers regressed much more than with LAK/IL-2 alone, including skin, kidney, colon, lung and nasal/throat cancers.

The berries are one of the rare sources of zeaxanthin (an oxy-carotenoid related to beta-carotene) and similar to lutein, which both prevent eye degeneration (macula). Wolfberry prevents eye problems, e.g. cataracts and retinopathy (Ref. 15 & 16), and improves vision (dark adapting time, low light, etc.).

Wolfberries have liver protecting properties. This is due to zeaxanthin, LBP, and LCC (Lycium chinensis cerebroside). Zeaxanthin and LCC protected liver from toxins (Ref. 17 & 20) and LBP inhibited damage and enhanced repair of liver cells (Ref. 18 & 19).

Wolfberries have betasitosterol, which was shown to prevent cholesterol absorption (Ref. 21), and are used to maintain healthy blood pressure.

In Chinese tradition, Wolfberry has been the herb of choice for diabetes treatment since it balances blood sugar, has strong anti-oxidant properties (Ref. 22 & 23), etc.

Whole wolfberries had the highest anti-oxidant result in the standard ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) test of the USDA, as shown below. But more importantly, they increase the anti-oxidant activity within the blood, i.e. elevated SOD and decreased lipid peroxidation (Ref. 24 & 25). These effects are related to the wolfberry’s high content of zeaxanthan, LBP, etc. This means that wolfberry protects the body against free radical oxidative damage that contributes to cancer, chronic diseases and aging.

Wolfberry Fruit: An Ancient Tonic Herb

References to wolfberry fruit can be found in writings dating back thousands of years ago (Ref. 1 – 3). The berries are said to nourish the “yin” and so balance the “yang”, i.e. wolfberries replenish vital essences (hormones, etc.) and strengthen major organs, e.g. the eyes, liver, kidney and blood.

The berry remedies were prescribed for those suffering from chronic conditions, such as problems with eyes, liver and blood (anemia and blood pressure) and to treat diabetes, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), fatigue, cancer and infertility. There are 400% more centenarians (people age 100+) living in the natural growing region as compared to the rest of China.