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What Goji Berries did for me.
I had been interested in these Berries for quite a while before coming across them in a Store in Matlock.
I had started to get interested in the "super fruits" after reading some of the claims being made and being a born sceptic I wanted to try them out.
The only Berry's I could get hold of were dried Berry's, which I then put in boiling water.
The amount I was using was 4 teaspoons in a cup of boiled water.
I would wait till the water had cooled down and drank the water, and eat the soft berry's.
After having this drink I felt so active and well in myself.
The drink also increased my sexual appetite.
My job as a Heavy Goods Fitter working on Trucks I was working in wet and dry conditions which took its toll on my health.
Mainly aching knees (from kneeling on cold floors) and aching joints from working in damp conditions.
After a couple of months of taking Goji Berry's my aches decreased substantially, and my general health got better.
The most amazing thing to happen to me was in July of 2009 I had a massive Heart Attack and my recovery rate impressed the doctors.
Instead of being in Hospital for 6 or seven weeks I was out in 3.
I firmly believe that my speedy recovery was down to Goji Berries.

In March 2009 I purchased 5 Goji Berry plug plants.
They were planted on to ordinary compost where their growth rate was extraordinary.
Over the next 4 months they grew to approximately 14 foot.
They became to big to keep in the outhouse, so were put outside where their growth rate was slowed down.
Too my surprise flowers started forming proving that heat, and a good compost forced this plant on quicker.
While no fruit was produced, the plant was strong and well produced.
Plants planted outside are slow to grow,so will not produce fruit until year 2 of growth.



What’s in me?
• High in antioxidants, Ningxia Goji Berries have an ORAC (oxygen radical absorption capacity) of approximately 30 300, standard Goji Berries measure approximately 22 200 (Blueberries have a value of approximately 2 400)
• Goji berries have the highest content of Carotenoids, including Beta Carotene (a precursor to Vitamin A), among all known foods on earth.
• They contain up to 500 times more vitamin C than oranges.
• The fruits also have significant amounts of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.
• They are rich in amino acids
• They contain trace minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium and phosphorous.

What can I be used for?
• A handful a day is said to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles in healing, promote cheerfulness and brighten the spirit.
• They are high in antioxidants which have anti-aging properties.

“The goji berry is also legendary for helping to spark the passions. In fact, an old Chinese proverb cautions men who are travelling far from their wives and families:
“He who travels one thousand kilometres from home should not eat goji!”

How much of me should you take?
Therapeutic dosage is around 10 – 30 grams per day which is roughly the equivalent of one to two handfuls per day. They can be eaten as they are, sprinkled into muesli or breakfast cerealsFruit Contents 100g servings.
Soaked overnight makes the berries blend easier into smoothies.
Fruit Contents 100g servings.
1/ Energy 346kJ.
2/ Protein 10.6g
3/ Carbohydrate 21g
4/ Sugars 17.3g.
5/ Fat 0.7g
6/ Saturates 1.1g.
7/ Fibre 7.7g
8/ Sodium 0.024g
9/ Calcium 112.5mg
10/ Iron 8.42mg.
11/ Vitamin C 1840mg.
12/ Carotene 7,83mg.
13/ Amino Acid 8.48mg.
14 Thiamin (Vitamin B1) 0.15mg.
15/ Polysaccharides 46.5mg.

The therapeutic dosage is around 10-30 grams per day, and can be increased to 100 grams for athletic performance, and to maintain the bodys natural defences.Some of the possible goji berries health benefits include a reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol. It is also thought to be helpful in preventing cancer due to the high levels of antioxidants. The berries help to improve immune function since the antioxidants deal with a some of the free radicals that might otherwise cause diseases. The reason for most of the goji berries health benefits is the fact that these berries have a very high level of antioxidants, as well as relatively high levels of some important vitamins and minerals


People also claim that the goji berries can cause an improvement in eye sight, better liver function, help with memory (such as in Alzheimer's disease), and aphrodisiac properties. Some people who suffer from insomnia have also found improvement in their ability to get a good nights sleep.

In order to get the health benefits of these berries, it is a good idea to regularly consume small amounts of the fruit. Some people find it difficult to consume large amounts without adverse effects, so it is better to stick to small portions.

Goji berries have been appearing in a large number of products lately. It is best to stick to those that are mainly made of the berries themselves, without a lot of added sugar. It is not easy to find the berries fresh since they are not able to withstand a lot of travel well, but there are a number of companies that sell juices, dried fruit, and similar products.

These small berries from the Himalayas are becoming very popular. It is easy to find them so that you can get the goji berries health benefits if you look on the internet. It is a bit harder to find them in the grocery store, though there are sometimes a few products on the shelves containing this ingredient.Health Benefits of Goji:

•Goji is known as the "longevity fruit." Its unique master molecule polysaccharides and powerful antioxidants fight against free radicals that cause damage on the body.
•Goji increases stamina and endurance, it helps to eliminate fatigue, especially when recovering from illness.
•Goji stimulates the secretion by the pituitary gland of hGH (human growth hormone), the youth hormone. The benefits of hGH includes; reduction of body fat, better sleep, improved memory, accelerated healing, restored libido and a more youthful appearance.




Dried Goji Berry •Goji can help protect your DNA. Exposure to chemicals, pollutants and free radicals can cause DNA damage and breakage, leading to genetic mutations, cancer and even death. Goji's betaine and master molecule polysaccharides can restore and repair damaged DNA.
•Goji can help you lose weight. In a study done obese patient were given good quality goji juice in the morning and afternoon. Most patients significantly lose a lot of weight. Goji polysaccharides were shown to reduce body weight by enhancing the conversion of food into energy instead of fat.
•Goji can reduce the toxic effect of Chemotherapy and Radiation. Goji was shown to enhance the effect of radiation in combating lung cancer, allowing a lower dose to be used. Other research indicates that goji can protect against some of the noxious side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
•Goji can help enhance sexual function. Studies have shown that goji significantly increases testosterone level in the blood, thereby increasing libido in both men and women.
•Goji berries are popular for their vision-improvement properties. It was found in the study that goji was able to reduce the time it takes for vision to adapt to darkness. The carotenoids in goji may also protect against macular degeneration and cataracts.
•Goji can prevent cancer. Goji's antioxidant and unique polysaccharides can stop the genetic mutations that can lead to cancer. Some scientists believe that goji may be an especially good supplement to prevent liver cancer because it exerts liver protection and anti-cancer effects at the same time
•Goji can inhibit cancer growth. Goji also has the ability to cause the death of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis, a process in which cancer cells are broken down and recycled.
•Goji helps to manage and fight cancer. Patient taking a cancer drug together with goji has recovery rate of up to 250 percent better than those patient taking the drug alone. These advanced-cancer patient experienced amazing regressions of malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and malignant hydrothorax. Remission of cancers in patient treated with goji lasted significantly longer than those treated without goji.
•Goji can help improve memory. Goji is considered as "brain tonic", because it contains betaine, which is converted in the body into choline, substances that enhance memory and recall ability.
•Goji can make you feel happy. It is said that the daily consumption of Goji can give a person a happy disposition.
Other Health Benefits of Goji Berry includes;

•Goji can help to strengthen your immune system and heart, help support normal kidney and liver function, maintain healthy cholesterol level, normalize blood pressure, prevent and control diabetes.
•Goji can also help to strengthen the muscles and bones, maintain healthy gums and improve your digestion and it can help you to get a good night sleep.
Nutrient Contents of Goji: 11 essential elements, 22 trace dietary minerals, 18 amino acids, 6 essential vitamins, 8 polysaccharides, and 6 monosaccharide. It contains 5 unsaturated fatty acids (essential fatty acids, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, beta-sitosterol and other phytosterols), 5 carotenoids (e.g. beta-carotene and zeaxanthin etc), xanthophy, and many phenolic pigments associated with antioxidant properties.


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GROWING TIPS.
1/ From plug plants they require heat, and damp conditions to generate growth, and should not be planted out any earlier than May.
2/ the plant must be at least 12 inches high to have any success.
3/ As the plant grows in order to bush the plant, shoots that are 12 inches or more should be bent over and the tips snipped off, as this produces many more shoots along its length.

SEEDS.
Seeds can be aquired by cutting the berry open, removing the seeds, soaking in water for two days then planting in seed rays.

Prepare your germination tray from a mixture of wet paper and clay.

Goji berries grow in an acid soil of a ph of 6.2 to 6.6 in their natural habitat.

Plant the germinated berries about half an inch down in the starter pots, deeper for very large berries. The actual seeds are smaller than a poppy seed. In our experience, it will take 2-4 days for them to start coming up. The first green shoot will have leaves so tiny that you have to look very carefully to even see them. The plant is adaptable once it sprouts.

amounts of any other fruit plants. It is considered to be almost a complete food.

Growing:

Once established goji berry plants are easy to grow and maintain. They can grow in almost any soil type, light-sandy, medium-loamy, heavy-clay or any combination of the three. Even soils of poor soil structure and nutrient content will grow goji plants, but soils of better quality will allow for better flowering and fruiting characteristics. A well drained soil is a must as goji berry plants will not grow well in wet or soggy conditions. Goji plants have an aggressive root system and are quite drought tolerant after they are established.

The goji plant prefers full sunlight for maximum fruit production, but will grow adequately in partially shaded areas.

Goji berry plants can survive winter temperatures as low as -26 celcius (-15 F) and summer temperatures as high as 38 celcius (100 F). The goji berry can survive in zones 3-7, out of this range it is too cold or hot. The goji plant can be grown indoors and outdoors.

The goji berry grows into a large shrub reaching heights of 7-10 feet with vines that can reach 10 feet. Pruning of the main stem and branches will keep the plant shorter, thicker and help with increased flowering and fruit production. In early summer the plant grows numerous small trumpet shaped flowers which are pollinated by bees. In later summer these flowers develop into bright red berries. The plant continues to flower and fruit until the first heavy frost. The goji plant begins flowering in the second year with maximum fruit production in the 4th or 5th year.
How to Grow Goji Berries
Once established, goji berries are incredibly easy to grow. They’ll grow in almost any type of soil, and can even thrive in poor soil, as they are used to the mountainous regions in the Himalayas. They are reasonably drought-tolerant, and will even grow in partial shade (though you’ll get more berries from them if you grow them in full sun).

You can grow them from seed, or buy them as young plants. Buying young plants is far easier, as goji berry seeds are prone to rot in the compost and you’re less likely to get good results. The seedlings also need to be kept in warm conditions for 12 months, so for practical reasons, buying young plants is the more sensible option.

Once they’re a year old, however, they are perfectly winter hardy. Unchecked, they grow into a thick bush that reaches up to three metres tall, with vines that can grow to nearly four metres. If regularly pruned, they will form attractive small bushes that produce more berries as a result.


Growing
When your plants first arrive it is likely they will just look like bare twigs with some roots on. Don’t worry, this is normal. If planted straight away and watered well they will grow leaves within two-three weeks. Dig a hole around 50cm deep and wide and place the goji berry plant in it.

Firm the soil around the plant and water well. Leave about 1m between plants and mulch the area around the stems with leafmoluld or garden compost to keep the soil moist and well-nourished. You can even grow the bushes into a goji berry hedge; simply plant them 1m apart in a straight line.


Flowers
After two years the bushes will start to fruit, and from four years you’ll start to get very heavy yields. In early summer the bushes will produce small, delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers that will be either white or purple. Both coloured flowers can feature on one plant, so they provide visual interest before the berry production begins.

The berries will begin to set in autumn. The ripe fruit are sweet and juicy and almost shiny in appearance. The flowers will continue to bloom right up until the first frosts, however, so your plants will be red, white and purple throughout late summer and autumn.

By the 9th of August the flowers were showing,and by the 28th of August the berries (green in appearance).

They are beautiful to have in your garden, delicious, nutritious, and cheap and easy to grow. If you want health-boosting berries on tap you should consider investing in a goji berry bush or two.
This is a summary of growing and nutrition value of the Goji berry.

How To Grow Goji Berries
For plants received after the end of August we would recommend that you over winter in a cold greenhouse or on a light airy window sill and plant out the following Spring (around May time).

Goji Berries prefer a full sun or partial shade position and once established are wind tolerant and similarly salt wind tolerant. Once established they will prove frost hardy to at least -15°C but will similarly survive temperatures as high as 40°C. Goji's prefer a well drained rich soil but will perform well on lighter sandy soils - in some parts of the world they have been used as soil stabilisation plant; under no circumstances will they tolerate heavy soils prone to laying wet. They have good tolerance to drought but attention should be paid to watering in the first season after they are planted out.

Container Growing
Goji Berries can perform well if grown in a patio tub or container and should ideally be allowed to grow to a minimum height of around 3ft - 4ft and similar width in order that they can produce a worthwhile crop.

Do not over-pot your Goji plant as this may cause your plant's roots to become waterlogged; pot up into a container just one or two sizes larger and allow the plant to fully root out before re-potting into the next size up - continuing until you have reached your final chosen size of container. Any proprietary potting compost will be fine though we would always recommend the addition of a little horticultural grit to improve drainage, particularly if you choose to use a soil based compost such as John Innes or similar.

Long-term the ideal size of container would be something like a half-cut wooden barrel or similar. Good drainage is essential. Holes should be made in the base, and possibly in the sides at the base as well. Avoid standing the container where it will become waterlogged. Ideally the container should be stood on a couple of house bricks or gravel to assist drainage. A little brick mortar rubble in the bottom of the container to cover the drainage holes and to stop the soil falling through is recommended.

After their first full growing year, container grown plants should prove perfectly hardy and can be left out all year round - that said, as with anything container grown, Winter protection will improve Spring growth and ultimately yield.

Planting Out
Goji Berries will grow in most soil types, but will not tolerate wet soggy soils, and prefer a full sun position. If planting more than one allow a minimum of 6-8ft apart and remember that if you have room they can be allowed to grow to their full height of 8ft - 10ft.

As with many things in life, remember that a little extra care and time taken with planting out will pay dividends for many years to come! Dig the ground over well and incorporate some organic matter such as well rotted manure (not fresh) or compost to give your plant the best start. Plant to the level the plant has been grown; firm in well and water if soil is dry. Under no circumstances should you use any stimulants, fertiliser or bonemeal at planting time as such products will 'burn' any new root growth and actually slow your plant's development!

In the first growing season after planting it is vital to ensure the plant is adequately watered - and this is even more critical in extended dry periods or drought. When watering any newly planted stock a 'heavy soaking' once a week is favourable to a 'light shower' every day, and will encourage a good deep root system Keep the area around the base of your plant free of weeds and grass which would otherwise compete for both moisture and nutrients.

Feeding
During the active growing season an occasional feed with our 'Instant Life' or a light top dress with a base fertiliser will prove beneficial. Under no circumstances be tempted to overfeed though!

Pruning
Pruning is best undertaken in the early Spring just as the plant breaks into growth. We would recommend pruning is kept to a minimum in order to maximise fruit yield - though Goji's will recover well from hard pruning.

Fruiting & Picking
Small purple and white trumpet flowers in Summer are followed by small oval berries that are orange red in colour; these can be harvested until the first frosts. It is better to shake the berries from the plant rather than picking by hand as this will cause the fruit to oxidize and become black in colour.


Labels: Berry, Goji, growing, health draft 29/06/2010 by terry turbo Delete

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