Wolfberries (Lycium Barbarum) or locally known as kei chi (cantonese) / kee chee ( hokkien) is a very healthy ingredient to be added to some of your dishes such as soups and steamed chicken (as in my steamed chicken recipe).
According to research and scientists, it is one of the healthiest food in this planet. Hah, so, they admit some of our chinese herbs are actually good! Alternative health expert Paul Brelin has this to say about this tiny wonder:
In addition to being packed with vitamins B1 and B6 (which is needed by the body to convert food into energy), and vitamin E (which has never been found in fruit before), wolfberries contain more protein then whole wheat, 18 amino acids (8 of them essential for life), 21 trace minerals (including significant amounts of zinc, iron, copper, calcium, selenium, phosphorus and germanium; a very rare anti-cancer agent almost never found in food), more beta carotene than carrots, 500 times more vitamin C by weight than oranges, essential fatty acids (required for the production of hormones and smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system) and is the richest source of carotenoids (natural fat-soluble pigments that play a critical role in vitamin A activity in humans) of any food on the planet.
To put it briefly, it has more vitamins than any other fruit ever. Also, this amazing fruit (funny, I had always thought it was a type of herb) contains:
Beta Sitosterol: An anti-inflammatory agent found to lower cholesterol, and used to treat sexual impotence and prostrate enlargement.
Zeaxanthin and Lutine: Valued for their role in protecting the eyes.
Betaine: Used by the liver to produce Choline which assists detoxification reactions in the liver. Betaine is known to protect DNA, enhance memory, promote muscle growth and protects us from fatty liver disease.
Cyperone: A sesquiterpene used in treatment of cervical cancer. It is also known to benefit heart and blood pressure problems as well as menstruation problems.
Solavetivone: A powerful anti-fungal and anti-bacterial agent.
Physalin: A natural compound that boosts the immune system. Found to be effective in treating leukaemia, hepatitis B and cancer.
Ahh…in layman’s term, it can be used to help cancer patients, is good for your eyesight (ah, so, all those claims by the yeemakuchehs about eating this can give you eagle’s eyesight is true after all…), can reduce cholesterol, can act like a natural viagra and generally keeps you healthy.
You can read more of Brelin’s article here.
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