Our goji berries beat all others in quality and value!
California Academy of Health's goji berries come from our exclusive "goji garden ."
The goji berries are wild-harvested (hand-picked) when at the peak of ripeness. These berries will either be sun-dried - as is - for consumption or will be pressed, and the juice will be used in one of our many juices containing goji. The berries that go into our juices are cold pressed and flash pasteurized to preserve their freshness and the natural levels of all bioactive compounds. Our growers personally pick out the best lots of goji before the rest are taken to open market. We pay a little more for our raw product but its worth it. The use of superior raw ingredients and ethical manufacturing practices creates a synergy of both flavor and healthful qualities, making our goji products top-of-the-line.
Our own exploration and research have found that there are certain pockets along the Yellow River basin that possess the perfect micro-climate suitable for growing the crème de la crème of goji berries. The fact is, we have established relationships with a few families who are currently growing, and some who will now grow goji. These growers are willing to follow our exact standards and practices - organic farming guidelines. Testing of these berries assures that they possess the highest concentrations of goji's unique Polysaccharides (LBP s).
The result of our efforts is the equivalent of a small, organic farm that produces prize-winning (heirloom) fruit; the envy of all other growers producing the same fruit. California Academy of Health has 100% control over how our gardens are farmed and we only allow the cr me de la cr me to be used in our products. No other company that we know of can make that claim. The land on which our gardens are farmed has never been touched by pesticides, such as DDT. Only muslin netting is used to keep the birds out. Every batch of goji is tested for quality, potency, toxic metals, toxic pesticides, artificial colors, and artificial sweeteners.
We have spoken to five reputable industry experts who have given us candid and honest inside information about what is really occurring in the goji industry. To their knowledge, we are the only company who has, presently in place, exact standards and practices for how goji crops are to be grown, harvested, and processed.
Utilizing French wine terminology and applying it to goji, I can more easily paint a picture of our goji production. California Academy of Health has set a code of standards and practices which are followed by the farmers who grow the berries in our selected appellations*. The goji berries that are harvested from these specific gardens possess a unique flavor and superior quality, terroir*.
*Definitions - (please read):
Terroir refers to goji gardens (or even goji plants) from the same region, belonging to a specific appellation, and sharing the same type of soil, weather conditions, goji variety, and goji makingsavoir-faire (harvesting and production methods), which all contribute to giving a specific personality to the goji juice (or berry).
Terroir = Region + Appellation + Goji Variety + Goji Harvesting & Production.
Appellation is a geographical name (of a region, village, or vineyard). The goji berries or juice from a designated appellation is to be of a higher quality. Appellations are strictly ruled. Those rules cover methods of growing and producing, localization, goji variety, and other factors.
The bottom line is, we source our own berries and juice. We have control from start to finish. We are beyond proud of the goji products we offer you. Others may claim to have invented it, named it, or improved it, but California Academy of Health perfected it!
Sincerely,
Dr. Marcus Ettinger BSc., DC
Chief Science Officer (CSO)
California Academy of Health, Inc.
The Executives and Staff
California Academy of Health, Inc.
More useful information on Goji Juice and the Goji Berry:
The Goji Berry (Lycium Barbarum) has been used in traditional Chinese/Tibetan medicine for centuries. Goji plants are quite bushy with branches that can reach up to 15 feet in height. When ripe, the berries are gingerly picked and separated into lots. Some will be used for juice and some for dried berries. The berries chosen for drying are placed on vented bamboo trays to naturally dry in the sun.
Goji berry juice can be used in smoothies, juice cocktails, or taken straight. The goji berry contains a unique set of bio-active chemicals known as polysaccharides, which have been validated to favorably affect the immune system and act as beneficial cellular messengers. These same polysaccharides have been found to act as secretagogues, that is, substances which cause another substance to be secreted. One such reaction is the stimulation of the pituitary gland to release powerful anti-aging hormones. The goji berry is quite possibly the richest source of carotenoids, including beta-carotene, available. Goji's beta-carotene levels rival that of the prior "Gold Standard", carrots. Beta-carotene, known as pro-vitamin A, can be transformed in the liver, to vitamin A as needed. Goji is also a powerful antioxidant and is traditionally believed to fortify the body against disease while providing the energy to overcome difficult obstacles in healing. Goji is a rich source of beneficial trace minerals, containing significant amounts of zinc, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus, with smaller quantities of many others. Containing 19 different of amino acids, goji possesses, by weight, a six times greater concentration of amino acids than bee pollen. The goji berry contains more vitamin C by weight than oranges. Goji juice is loaded with vitamin B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E. Mature fruit contains about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams, as well as glucose, fructose, vitamin C, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), zeaxanthin, physalin, and betaine (0.1%).
The goji berry, taken as a herbal tonic, is among the most revered of sexual tonics and has been recognized to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility. In Mongolia it is commonly used by first trimester mothers to prevent morning sickness. According to Chinese texts, goji is a gentle and soothing fruit that is loaded with ability to increase vitality and well-being.
In several study groups with elderly people goji was given once a day for 3 weeks, with many beneficial results being experienced. 67% of the patients' T cell transformation functions tripled and the activity of the patients' white cell interleukin-2 doubled. In addition, the results showed that all the patient's spirit and optimism increased significantly, appetite improved in 95% of the patients, 95% of the patients slept better and 35% of the patients partially recovered their sexual function. The goji berry has absolutely no toxicity. However, like most fruits, it should not be used if you are suffering from spleen chi deficiency with accompanying dampness and diarrhea. Goji is now being used in clinical settings for a number of common maladies including the treatment of consumptive disease accompanied by thirst such as early-onset diabetes and tuberculosis, dizziness, blurred vision, and chronic cough. In the treatment of diabetes, 8-10 grams of fruit was steamed and eaten each time, three times daily (steaming softens the fruit). The daily dosage range of 8-30 grams is typical of medical applications being done at this time in several countries. The berry has also been used in a number of recent clinical trials for treatment of bone marrow deficiency conditions - anemia (low production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
The Mongolian Institute of Traditional Medicine reported that goji has been used in the treatment of atrophic gastritis, weakened digestion due to reduced stomach activity. Patients consumed 10 grams of the whole fruit each time, three times daily before meals for two months and longer with excellent results.
Goji juice is now undergoing intense scrutiny as a cancer therapy in Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan and Switzerland. It has been found that the fruit, as well as an extract from its leaves, can kill many kinds of cancer cells in vitro. Animal and human studies are proving to be highly promising. The goji berry contains approximately 124 ppm of organic germanium, a mineral that has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity. Japanese studies have indicated that organic germanium is effective in treating liver cancer, lung cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and testicular cancer when combined with other drugs. Germanium has been found to induce the production of interferon, which assist the immune response, in human beings. Interferon can depress and even kill cancer cells. Germanium possesses the power to take over the hydrogen ion from cancer cells. Losing hydrogen ions can cause depression and even death to cancer cells. Besides germanium, this berry has other components that act against cancer. These other components appear to be able to depress or block the synthesis of the cancer cells' DNA, which interferes with the cells' ability to divide and thus lowers the reproductive capacity of the cancer cells.
The goji berry of the Solanaceae family has also been tested as an anti-obesity drug. Patients were given 30 grams each morning and each afternoon, made into a tea. Results were excellent with most patients losing significant weight. Goji juice is a wonderful and delicious tonic which has traditionally been used as a blood tonic. Taken as a tonic it is used to nurture the heart, relieve heart palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, and anxiety associated with blood and chi deficiency, especially when combined with chi tonics.
Would You Like to Grow Your Own Goji Berries?
Note: Seeds can be extracted from our Lycium barbarum L (goji). All of our goji berries are naturally sun dried and untreated. Each berry contains approximately 20 - 35 seeds. They have been randomly tested and have a high germination rate, rather than some lower quality berries typically dried at 120-130 degrees in dehydrators or by chemicals.
The seeds can be extracted from the dried berries by moistening them between dampened paper towels for one or two hours, then slicing them open and carefully removing the seeds. Seeds should be immediately planted about one-fourth to one-half inches down in deep, loose, well draining soil. Keep moist and the in shade or indirect sunlight at all times.
Seedlings, once sprouted, should be gradually acclimated to direct sunlight until well established. Once established, they will be quite hardy and prolific growers, reaching maturity in 4-6 years, and standing 10'-12' high with vines reaching to 15' in length.
