Goji berry seeds (Lycium chinense)

Common name: Chinese Goji berry Scientific name: Lycium chinense Other names: Wolfberry - Chinese boxthorn - Goji berry An evergreen dense shrub with many branches, very hardy, tolerant of drought and frost down to -35 degrees Celsius, spreading in subtropical regions of China and Mongolia. It grows taller than 2 meters, with oval leaves and small red berries. Its fruits are considered foods that contain many vitamins and minerals, but there are many exaggerations about its benefits. Earl Mendel called it "superfruit" in his 2003 book and claimed that a Chinese man named Li Qingyuan ate goji berries daily and lived up to 256 years. He also claimed that it has anti-cancer properties and prevents breast cancer by 75%. However, all these claims lack scientific evidence, and no clinical efficacy of goji berry extracts has been confirmed. China produces 95,000 tons of its fruits annually. Recently, farmers in Canada and the United States have started cultivating it commercially.