Goji berries, known as Gou Qi Zi in Chinese Herbal Medicine, are small fruits that grow on evergreen shrubs in the Himalayas. They are slightly chewy and have a mild flavor. In this country, the goji berry (or wolfberry) is widely available dried and easily found as berries or juice in natural-food stores. The berries are even available covered in dark chocolate.

Gojis have high fiber, the highest antioxidant powers of any berry or fruit, and are used in Chinese medicine to increase longevity, strengthen the immune system, improve vision, protect the liver, boost sperm production and improve circulation. In recent years, goji juice has become popular as a health beverage. In traditional Chinese medicine, gou qi zi is eaten raw or dried, brewed into a tea, added to Chinese soups, and herbal formulas.

References:

Cheng CY et al. “Fasting plasma zeaxanthin response to Fructus barbarum L. (wolfberry; Kei Tze) in a food-based human supplementation trial.” British Journal of Nutrition. 93.1 (2005):123-30.

Lam AY et al. “Possible interaction between warfarin and Lycium barbarum L.” Annals of Pharmacotherapy. 35.10 (2001):1199-201.

Wu H et al. “Effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on the improvement of antioxidant ability and DNA damage in NIDDM rats.” Yakugaku Zasshi. 126.5 (2006):365-71.