What are Goji Berries, and Where Do They Come From?

Known for their sweet, slightly tart flavor and vibrant red color, goji berries have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Goji berries come from a shrub native to Asia and have recently become popular in western culture for their many health benefits. Perhaps the most astonishing tale of the anti-aging properties of goji berries dates back to 17th century China. Herbalist Li Ching-Yuen of the Qing Dynasty was known for his fascination with gathering, bartering, and eating different kinds of herbs. Said to have consumed goji berries every single day, Ching-Yuen was able to live up to staggering 256 years old! It is no wonder why drinking tea infused with goji berries has been an integral part of Chinese tradition for centuries. 

How Are Goji Berries Used Today?

From smoothies to skin care products, goji berries are used in a variety of ways to harness their nutritious properties. In fact, they are very simple to incorporate into your daily routine. Goji berries are perfect for leave-on skincare products such as moisturizers as it gives time for the hydrating amino acids found in the berries to soak into your skin and retain moisture. 

There are so many different ways to enjoy goji berries. You can opt for the traditional way of enjoying them by making herbal tea infused with goji berries; once you drink the tea, you can enjoy the tea-soaked berries afterward. Many health-focused markets sell raw and dried goji, and these can easily be incorporated into many recipes or enjoyed on their own as a snack. If snacking on them alone gets boring, try adding goji berries to your oatmeal, yogurt, trail mix, or muffins for a more creative way of incorporating them into your diet.

How Can Goji Berries Benefit The Skin?

We know goji berries are great for your skin, but why? Let’s look at some of the main benefits goji berries have for your skin.

• Anti Oxidant Powerhouse: Anit-oxidants benefit the skin by reversing or preventing free radicals found in air pollutants, such as smoke and UV rays, from causing oxidative stress. 

• Boost Collagen Production: Goji berries store high amounts of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts collagen production in the skin. This is what gives your skin that natural glow and keeps the skin looking plump, firm, tight, and youthful.

• Promotes Even Skintone: Goji berries are known to help even out hyperpigmentation in the skin through topical application of amino acids. Using goji berries in skin care products can help protect against UV rays and allow for faster wound healing. 

• Protects from UV Ray Damage: Goji Berries are great at helping to heal damaged skin. Sunlight and UV radiation is the biggest cause of skin damage, and the topical application of goji berry helps to repair the damage caused by UV rays. Furthermore, goji berries have a high level of beta-carotene, which work to repair and protect the skin. They have also have shown to prevent and reduce UV- induced melanin production such as age spots. 

• Strengthens Immune System And Soothes Skin Inflammation: The abundance of zinc found in goji berries is vital to keeping our immune system strong by fending off bacteria and diseases. Zinc is also great at helping reduce inflammation found in acne and other skin-related conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.

• Promotes Cell-Turnover: An abundance of naturally occurring carotenoids, including beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene found in goji berries, convert to Vitamin A, or retinol, inside the body. Retinol helps promote cell turnover inside our bodies keeping skin radiant and supple, consequently reducing signs of aging such as wrinkles.

Goji berries are magical in their source of many vital vitamins and minerals and are the key to promoting healthy and glowy skin. However, always be sure to consult with your doctor before ingesting them.