Goji Berries and Red Dates Tea to Boost Fertility, Immunity, Eye, Liver

Goji Berries and Red Dates have long been a pair set used in Chinese cuisines. I am sure many mums among you have seen or used these foods in your daily cooking for your family. Goji Berries and Red Dates are known to strengthen the body’s energy flow called Qi through enhanced blood circulation. They are also such versatile ingredients, you can add them to soups, smoothies and porridge, or turn them into jam, cake or ice cream, or even brew them into a range of teas and beverages. The good news about Goji Berries and Red Dates is that they are inexpensive to buy and are widely available in our Chinese Medicine Halls and Supermarkets. Goji Berries and Red Dates Tea Perhaps the best known and easiest recipe using Goji Berries and Red Dates is the Goji Berry and Red Dates Tea. You simply put two teaspoons of Goji Berries and three or four Red Dates into a cup, pour in boiling water, steep for 5 minutes, then sit back and enjoy a nourishing cuppa that could give you better complexion, an energy boost, sharper vision, stronger immunity, better mood and sleep, and many other benefits including stronger liver, kidney, lungs and of course, increase your chances of conceiving because it also boosts fertility in both men and women. Quite a bit of nourishment in something so simple, don’t you think? No wonder, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards them as medicinal herbs and Western health experts call them this century’s most traditional superfood. The above infusion method is not the only way to consume Goji Berries and Red Dates of course. The more creative among us might even add ginger or longan or watercress or chrysanthemum or winter melon or barley into a pot to make “Leong Char” (cooling tea) to bring down body heat in our current hot weather. Or, you can add it to steamed chicken or to any stirfry to make a nourishing dish for dinner. Here is the recipe for the date and berry tea should you want to boil the herbs instead of infusing them. Recipe for Boiling Goji Berries and Red Dates 8 Chinese Red Dates and ½ cup of Goji Berries (lightly rinsed under running tap water) 10 cups of water Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to boil Once boiling, lower heat and simmer for an hour If you prefer your tea sweeter than it is already, stir in rock sugar Serve. Can be consumed hot or cold Goji Berries ─ the Ancient Asian Secret to Longevity and Good Health Modern science now agrees with what ancient Chinese herbalists have known all along. That Goji Berries are to be reckoned with as they are able to prevent or cure a variety of illnesses. Goji Berries are also called Wolfberries and they have a 2,000-year old history of use as medicine in China. Native to Asia, the berries belong to the nightshade family of plants such as tomatoes, eggplants, potatoes and capsicum. But how among all did it become a medicinal herb? Legend has it that one day 2,000 years ago, a doctor visited a village in Northern China and was amazed to find it that most of the inhabitants of the village were more than a hundred years old! Curious, he looked around as to why they enjoyed such longevity and discovered that Goji Berries grew in profusion here. Some of the trees were located around wells and the ripened fruit would fall into them and have their nutrients infused with the water. Villagers drank from these wells and also ate the berries and hence, this was why they lived such long lives. Whether this story is true or not we will never know but the benefits of Goji Berries have been well documented by Emperor Shennong in 250BC in a book of herbs and medicines titled Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (or 'The Herbal Classic of the Divine Farmer'). The benefits of Goji Berries were also mentioned in a 16th Century book called the Outline of Materia Medica by herbalist Li Shi-Zhen who wrote that the people of the Nan Qiu village lived a long life because they were in the habit of eating Goji Berries and drinking water infused with the fruit all their lives. Perhaps the above legend of the traveling doctor is true then? Whatever the case, modern science and research now back the benefits of Goji Berries. Because they contain high levels of antioxidants such as Zeaxanthin, Carotenoids such as Beta-Carotene, Vitamins A, C, and B2, Amino Acids and Minerals such as Potassium, Selenium and Iron, as well as being Alkaline, Goji Berries are said to: Protect the Eyes from UV light, oxidative stress and oxidative stress, especially the retina from developing glaucoma Boost Immunity against ailments ranging from the common cold to cancer Fight Cancer (research on mice show Goji Berries can inhibit tumour growth and cause cancer cell death) Improve Skin Health and manage effects of ageing Stabilise Blood Sugar by balancing insulin and glucose levels in blood, lowers high cholesterol related to Type 2 Diabetes Alleviate Depression and anxiety-related behaviours Prevent Liver Damage. Traditionally used to treat liver disease, now science says Goji Berries can help keep the liver healthy and prevent progression of liver cancer and fatty liver disease Boost Fertility in both men and women. It is known to regulate the menstrual cycle, thicken the uterine wall, aid implantation, help produce quality eggs, prevents premature ovarian failure and shrink fibroids in women. For men, it strengthens sperm cells, improves sperm quality and motility and ramps up libido Chinese Red Dates ─ the ‘Fruit that Removes Sorrow’ & the ‘Healthiest Fruit on Earth’ Known as a blood tonifier, Chinese Red Dates are the body’s “balancer” as it revitalises circulation and helps build up yangqi (the warm half of the body’s yin-yang balance). Chinese Red Dates or simply Red Dates or Jujubes date back to more than 4,000 years ago to the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in China. In the traditional book called Ben Jin along with other Chinese TCM books, Red Dates were said to strengthen the spleen and stomach Qi which helps to digest food, tonify blood and calm the mind. Although they are called dates, Chinese Red Dates are not really dates but a species of the buckthorn family that produces fruits often referred to as jujubes (small, sweet fruits that are crunchy when unripe but turn red with a texture of dates when ripened). Hence, Chinese Red Dates are really jujubes. Though originating from China, jujubes are now grown everywhere including in India where they are called Ber. Known as a symbol of longevity, good health, mental stability and happiness, Ber is additionally upheld as the sacred fruit of Lord Shiva and is consumed and offered religiously at the festival of Mahashivratri. In fact, not only is the fruit holy, it is known so much as a natural anti-depressant that the country calls Ber –‘the Fruit that Removes Sorrow’. Over in China, it is known as the ‘Healthiest Fruit on Earth’ and the reason for the accolade is obvious. Bursting with goodness under its wrinkled skin, the health benefits of these dates read like an almanac. It contains 20 times more Vitamin C than all the citrus fruits and is loaded with Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5 (panthonic acid), B6 (pyridoxine) B7 (biotin) B9 (folic acid ─ very important for pregnancy) and B1 (cobalamin), Amino Acids protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. Because of all these nutrients, Chinese Red Dates are known to: Tonify Blood. Red Dates stimulate the production of red and white blood cells. It is therefore the ideal confinement drink after delivery as it is a “hot” food that replenishes lost blood while stimulating circulation. It is also the “goto” drink before and after menstruation (not during!) and for those suffering from anemia. Benefit the Brain by alleviating Depression, Insomnia while Calming the mind. TCM considers blood deficiency (or the lack of Qi) as one of the causes of an agitated mind and insomnia. It says the lack of blood makes the body unable to moisturise the liver and the heart thereby causing a yin-yang imbalance and insomnia. Red dates can help in easing the problem. Because it is known for calming the mind, further research by modern science goes even further to say that Red Dates protect the neurons in the brain and nervous system and may stall neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinsons. Increase Immunity, Protect Liver, Reduce High Cholesterol and Prevent Cancer. Because it strengthens the body, immunity is enhanced against many illnesses including the risk of cancer and heart disease. It also helps in preventing gallstones. Achieve Weight Loss. The fibre content in Red Dates gives the feeling of fullness and regulates bowel movements. Enhance Fertility. Red Dates contain the polysaccharide Zizyphus-pectin A as well as high levels of Vitamin C which are essential for a healthy reproductive system in both men and women. For women, it improves progesterone production, regulates ovulation and helps in iron absorption. Also helps to prevent miscarriages. Smoothie and Shake Ideas In the end, there are many ways to prepare and consume the goodness of Goji Berries and Red Dates. Here are some ways you could incorporate them as a breakfast smoothie or an anytime beverage. From Left: Banana, Goji Berries, Red Dates and Coconut Icecream Smoothie, Blueberry, Chia Seeds, Goji Berries, Red Dates and Yoghurt drink Smoothie, and Goji Berries, Red Dates and Milk Smoothie. How these drinks were made in the blender. Simply mix and match or add and subtract according to your desire. Using Goji Berries as topping adds a nice crunch to the smoothies. You can also add Chia Seeds or crushed nuts. Contra-indications Although Goji Berries and Red Dates are some of the most fabulous superfoods nature has ever produced for our benefit, always apply “moderation in everything” when consuming these foods. As it is a “heaty” food, Red Dates in particular may not be suitable for everyone, especially for those who often suffer from constipation, mouth ulcers, halitosis, wind and high body heat. The same applies to Goji Berries. Although this is a “neutral” (neither heaty nor cooling) food, those on Diabetes and Blood Pressure drugs should not eat large quantities of the fruit as they may interfere with the workings of these drugs. For more ideas on health recipes, always turn to Motherhood Story.

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