Goji berry seeds (Lycium chinense)

Common name: Chinese goji berry Scientific name: Lycium chinense Other names: Wolfberry - Chinese boxthorn - Goji berry A perennial, dense, evergreen shrub with numerous branches, very hardy, tolerant of drought and frost down to -35 degrees Celsius, found in subtropical regions of China and Mongolia. It grows over 2 meters tall, with oval leaves and small red berries. Its fruits are considered foods rich in many vitamins and minerals, but there are many exaggerations about its benefits. Earl Mindell called it "superfruit" in his 2003 book and claimed that a Chinese man named Li Qing Yuen ate goji berries daily and lived up to 256 years. He also claimed 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, and farmers in Canada and the United States have started cultivating it commercially in recent years.