Wolfberries (Dried)

• Dried wolfberries are the bright orange-red seeds (or berries) spawned from the wolfberry plant
• The berries are 1-2 cm in length
• They are predominantly cultured in China and are usually exported to other countries for consumption
• They store very well and can keep in a sealed container for 12-18 months
• Ground and pill versions of wolfberries are available on the market as a health supplement – although precaution and medicial advice should be taken when taking these

How do I prepare it?

• Wash in warm before usage to remove pesticides and residues

Where can I buy this?

• In Asian supermarkets, you can purchase them prepackaged
• You can also purchase them from Chinese speciality stores (pharmacies) in bulk by weight
• It is difficult to find fresh wolfberries

What is the cost?

• Wolfberries in bulk cost around $4.00 – $5.00 CAD / pound

Any benefits?

• Wolfberries are high in antioxidants and contains a significant percentage of daily macronutrient needs such as: carbohydrates, protein, fat and dietary fiber
• They also contain 6 essential vitamins, Beta-Carotene, Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Zinc
• It is a natural supplement for improving eyesight and may assist with eye strain for frequent computer users
• It is also known to be beneficial for the liver

Any precautions?

• There are many positive medical claims that involve the consumption of wolfberries, however for many claims, very little (if any) have been verified by western medicine
• The consumption of pills and ground wolfberries should be under the consultation of a physician
• Excess consumption of wolfberry tea may lead to bleeding in the elderly

Resources

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfberry