Called "goji" by native Chinese, wolfberries have a long tradition in folk medicine. Ancient Chinese medical texts extolled wolfberries for strengthening the eyes, liver, and kidneys as well as fortifying the "qi" (chi) or life force. An early medical work, Shen Nung Ben Tsao (475-221 B.C.), noted wolfberry benefits ranging from replenishing vital essences to strengthening and restoring major organs. The physician's handbook, Ben Cao Gang Mu, written during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) reported, "taking in Chinese wolfberry regularly may regulate the flow of vital energy and strengthen the physique, which can lead to longevity."

The yearly two-week festival in Ningxia celebrates the wolfberry and its amazing health benefits.

Wolfberries Are a Chinese National Treasure

In ancient times, the Chinese people were said to have three cherished tonics for health. They were ginseng, ling tzi, and wolfberries.

According to ancient Chinese texts, wolfberries: • Nourish the yin • Support the blood • Help support the kidneys and liver • Strengthen the eyes • Fortify the muscles and bones • Enhance the "chi" or life force

D. Gary Young Re-Discovers Ancient Longevity Secret

This Chinese scientist, Dr. Songqiao Chao, told Gary about a simple, delicious-tasting berry with amazing health benefits. He said that Chinese wolfberries had been used for thousands of years in China to treat a wide variety of ailments. What’s more, Dr. Chao related that the people who consumed them on a regular basis lived remarkably healthy lives for 100-plus years. This information led Gary on an inspiring odyssey to the Ningxia region of China located on the Inner Mongolian plateau.In Ningxia, Gary investigated the tiny red fruit known as the Ningxia wolfberry. He agreed that this small berry was the remarkable source of the vibrant health and long lives of the Chinese people of the region.

Gary Young First to Import Wolfberries into US in Commercial Quantities

The Goji Girl statue was erected to salute the young women who help harvest the wolfberries.

The Hometown of the Wolfberry The Xinhaua News Agency reported that the Ningxia variety of Lycium barbarum “is far superior to ordinary Chinese wolfberry in both tonic effects and economic results.” Due to their superior quality, some of the medical studies done on wolfberry have specified the use of the Ningxia wolfberries. As with other plants, the Chinese wolfberry has a number of species or varieties. Of the 80 different species of wolfberries worldwide, the Lycium barbarum from Ningxia has by far the highest levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides. Ningxia’s Perfect Geography for Wolfberries The Huang He (Yellow) River originates in the Himalayan Mountains and flows through the Ningxia Province. This river creates a unique, mineral-rich, super fertile silt-water flood plain found nowhere else on earth, producing incomparable wolfberries. The beautiful Ningxia region is called “China’s herbal medicine valley” and is renowned for meeting all of the stringent rules to be awarded the prestigious “Green Certificate”, the equivalent of the USDA’s Organic Certification.

Ningxia Wolfberries Win Prestigious Awards