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Current Functional Foods

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2666-8629
ISSN (Online): 2666-8637

Review Article

Miracle Fruit from a Medical Perspective: Goji Berry (Lycium spp.)

Author(s): İlbilge Oğuz, Halil İbrahim Oğuz and Nesibe Ebru Kafkas*

Volume 1, Issue 1, 2023

Published on: 14 March, 2022

Article ID: e270122200604 Pages: 6

DOI: 10.2174/2666862901666220127140658

Price: $65

Abstract

The goji berry (Lycium spp.) belongs to the Solanaceae family. The genus Lycium com- prises 87 recognized species and is distributed in arid and semi-arid regions in temperate to sub- tropical zones around the world. China is currently the greatest supplier of goji berry, or wolfberry, products in the world and commercial amounts of wolfberry are grown in this country. Goji berry is densely cultivated around the southwestern part of China. Recently, goji berry became a popular fruit in Turkey due to containing health beneficial compounds, especially phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and flavonoids), carotenoids, tocopherol, and ascorbic acid and having antioxidant properties. Lycium fruits were used as remedies since ancient times in Asian countries, especially in China, for their emmenagogue, diuretic, antipyretic, tonic, aphrodisiac, hypnotic, and hepatopro- tective effects. After the discovery of the medicinal and aromatic characteristics of goji berry products, interest in goji berry has increased around the world. Goji berry is regarded as a super- food because of its nutrient profile. Especially in recent years, the goji berry has been cultivated and used widely as a medical aromatic plant in many European countries, following its use in Southeast Asian countries. In this chapter, adequate research is presented about goji berry in terms of botanical description, homeland, benefits to human health, and traditional uses.

Keywords: Goji berry, superfood, medicinal plants, aromatic, human health. wolfberry.

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