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Nancy
My son bought a bag of goji berries at Harvest Health and ate approx. 8-10 of the berries and almost immediately had a very severe reaction in his digestive tract. As the day progressed he had severe nausea and began vomiting, repeatedly, and the only substance he vomited was the berries he had eaten earlier. I would like to know what could have caused such a reaction to something that is touted as such a wonderful nutrient???
Nancy in
Michigan
John
With all the contamination problems these days, sounds like they were contaminated
Dee
I would agree with John, since contamination is a strong issue at the present.
But I would also look at how long he was actually sick from this (entire time span) It also is not unusual to come down with a bug at the same time you try something new. Also, if his system wasn't used to the berries, as they are totally dehydrated, they would absorb fluid as they go through the digestive system, which may have caused a problem with his system. My family has been using goji berries for a few years now, and we have not seen any problems. Although he may not want to see another goji, at least for a while,
it may be beneficial for him to re-try them once the memory of this event fades.
But he may be wise to buy them from a store which sells them quickly, so that he's not getting a bag which has sat on the shelf for weeks or longer, and also make sure that the retailer is very reputable, and is offering high quality items.
Anonymous
Possibly he has sensitivity to nightshade plants since Lycium barbarum belongs to that family (Solanaceae). I have encountered people who have had varying negative reactions to the berries, although none that dramatic.
The Goji Warehouse
I might suggest that he try drinking Hmalayan Goji Berry Juice. TheGojiWarehouse.com
Mo Mo
Would you please let us know where you found the information about the Chinese herbist Li Qing Yuen lived to 225? What I saw on the list of Chinese herbists, none of them lived to 225. I would like to read more about this person. Thanks.
Mo Mo
Shirlie
since i started drink goji juice 1 - 3 oz per day i have had blisters on my tongue and extremely dry lips, that don\\\'t get any better with lip balm. When I stop drinking the goji the symptoms disappear. I have tried mixing my goji with fruit juice and this seems to help somewhat with the tongue blisters but not with the dry lips.
rina
i got flu for six months.I don't know how to solve it.
cat
You can look up Li Qing Yuen on wikipedia. His age may just well be a myth but there does seem to be some documentation supporting the fact that he did live to be over 150 years old, although the 225 may be a tall tale.
pete
it hurts when i swollow
pete
where is the love for the gogi berry?
Nancy
Hi Shirlie, goji berries can be a medicine for one person, but for other person it can be poisonous. It all depends on your body constitution and your health condition. Just like Gingseng, when a person with little energy and weak body constitution it can be a very good medicine to help him, but for a juvenile vivid person it can cause nosebleeds and other damaging health issues.
Just be careful before you use herbs, it can cause damage.
Best regards,
Nancy
Sar
I also bought a bag of these. They were organic too. I was vomiting for 3 days and on the toilet.
Very painful. Will never eat again.
Cindy
I ate goji berries everyday on my cereal for four months and felt great. I quit for about a month and once I started again I began vomitting all day. I didn't see how it could effect me like that since it hadn't before so I quit again for a few months and yesterday decided to try again. I became very ill again and was vomitting within two hours. I've decided it is definately the goji berries, and don't understand why they never made me ill before?
Allan
I have tried goji berries and had vomiting too. Yesterday our neighbour gave me a drink and didn't tell me it had gojiberries in and later i was vomiting for hours. How can people say they are safe when so many people are reacting like this?
artic
I am interested in buying a goji berry plant all these adverse reactions seem to be from comercally produced products. has anyone had a reaction to eating the fresh fruit off the plant?
Ashe
I have found that having just a handful of Goji berries everyday has aided in my fatigue problem.
Rie
I bought a bag of berries as well and within a day I had what looked like a bit on my R arm then it went to my leg and now I am covered from scalp to ankles in this angry red rash. I know it is the goji berries as that is the only new food item I put into my already very restricted diet. There should be a warning on the packaging.. all I got when I reported it to the store was ... bring back the empty packet and we will refund... hmph... in the mean time I look like a big goji berry gone bad... How can something so good be soooooo bad.. good luck to all who try this berry.. I say go very slow.
jduff
Ive eaten dried goji berries numerous times from various sources and have never had any problems and it has always been a completely positive experience. Sometimes i soak the berries overnight then put them through a juicer to make my own goji berry juice. Its really tasty!
srs
What I don't get is why on earth would some of you eat the berries by themselves and in large doses given the medicinal properties. Why not start with small doses and gradually increase. If dehydrated, why not rehydrate them with pure water or 100% juice, then eat them or drink the liquid. Why not drink Goji juice instead; and gradually integrate the high concentrated berries after a period of time. That's just basic common sense and herbal nutrition knowledge 101.
tony
I have been buying dried goji berries from the bulk dept at Whole Foods. I soak about 15 to 30 overnight and then simmer them slightly before mixing them in a blender for a smoothie with whey protein and almonds. never had a problem and I have been doing this for about a year. sounds like the FDA or USDA should be contacted since these are not isolated incidents. save a sample cause they should analyzed to determine if they are contaminated.
Teak
I ate a handful of organic dried goji berries and half as many chocolate covered goji berries from Whole Foods and was vomiting within 3 hours. I had eaten larger quantities before and my stomach got a little queasy but this was the first time they induced vomiting. I recovered in 18 hours, but the experience was not fun. Will not be eating too many goji berries in the future.
Viki
I was introduced to goji berries by a friend I met on the internet. Her first advise was to start eating them in small portions - 10 per day for the first 2 weeks then increase the number to 20 until I am having 100 per day. I did just as was advised and I have had excellent results. One main thing to remember also is you have to keep you intake of water up. Have your 6 - 8 glasses of "clean" water every day and you will see wonderful results. I am having fun with my berries.
montana herbalist
gogi Berries contain some atropine and some have severe reactions (vomit) due to the, if you would, overdose of atropine in the system.
Do a tox or chem search at pub med for info on this active alkaloid.
Rudy
This is interesting. First time I have read anywhere that goji berries making someone sick. I started eating them last February, and like Viki suggested, I started with 5 after breakfast and noon time meals.. Now up to 10 after each meal. Never an ill effect. The only reason I came across this site was looking for another berry source to order from on-line... Expensive little things but well worth the money in my opinion..
Carolina
Years ago I had multiple kidney infections, it was recommended I take goji berries to regain my strength. I've been eating them for years and don't plan on stopping any time soon.
Alg
I,ve tried dry goji berrie quite a while now and had no ill response to any, infact I am on my first year of growing my own plants and cant wait to see if the produce because it will be an experience I think to get them fresh
Marcia
I first got goji berries from my old chinese doctor. I eat a lot ( 1 lb. in 2 days) I am crazy about fruits.. Now, I still eating goji but not that much. I do recommend boil it steady of eat raw for people with weak Gastrointestinal problems. Dry fruits often cause gas, and other disorders if eaten raw.
My vision is better due goji and I get sexually hotter too.
But again, if you have oestrogenic problems like fibroids, cysts JUST DON'T OVERDUE IT because it does have phyto-oestrogenic activity.
Hamza
I started eating goji since i visited china 2000, since that date i'm still eating goji daily. No vomitting, no side effects, nothing, i even got better sleeping and vision. I would say, it is great
coco
You need to cook the berries, either soak them in hot water like tea or cook them in soups to avoid digestive reactions.
susa
We have been using gogi berries on our oatmeal for a few months now. I am very sensitive to them and often get nausea. It's not worth it for me now and plan to stop, even though it's not every time.
Vivien
I think it varies from person to person. As for me, because my grandfather own a Chinese medical shop,I have been "stealing" these herbs and popping them into my mouth raw since I was a kid. Thus I think it has nothing to do with age. Also, as contamination is a huge issue, I think it is better not to purchase from just anywhere.
tutsta
I started eating about 10 dried Goji berries on my muesli each morning, however I found that after a couple of months I was progressively feeling more nauseous following breakfast. I stopped for about a month but as soon as I started again I felt quite nauseous almost immediately after eating them. The nauseous feeling lasted for over half a day. Now I find that even the smell of them puts me off. Looks like Goji berries are not for me.
msferangie
I was mixing goji berries in a smootie with no problems then all of a sudden I had a gastrointestional reaction. Queasy for a week but really didn't think it was the berries since I had to previous reaction. Had a 4 oz smoothie tonight w/about 1/2 handful of the berries and was vomiting within minutes.
kingy
I had 4-5 dried berries, from a packet I've eaten from before with no ill effects (from Tesco). Immediately my throat and tongue started to prickle and I felt extremely nauseas. After about three hours I had diarrhoea, and two hours after that I was violently sick. I lost six pounds in weight and still felt queasy the next morning. I'll stick to sultanas in future.
Aster
My accupuncturist/herbalist gave me Chinese herbal pills for my autoimmune arthritis. One of the 20 ingredents is "Lycii Fructus", which sounds like the same genus as goji berries. I've taken the pills for 5 days, and yesterday, my ankles began to swell. I also developed an itchy red rash that began on the back of my ankles about an hour after taking the pills at breakfast. The rash has not gone away and became more angry after taking the herbs at dinner. I am not taking them today and the rash is not as itchy as yesterday, but it is still there and my ankles are still swollen. After my shower this morning, I noticed the rash was mildly on my legs and arms, although not itching. Seems like an allergic reaction to me. (I've only had one allergic reaction in my life - to sulfa antibiotics which gave me a rash all over). Rie mentioned a rash reaction to goji. Is Lycii fructus related? Can it or other herbal ingredients cause ankle swelling and rash?
Patty
Within minutes of eating a tbs of Goji Berries, from China, sold at Amish Market in NYC, I had hives, bad skin reaction, all over body, rash bumps itchy like pin pick bites, stings all over. Felt v sick. Took a Benadryl antihistimine. Next day stayed home from work feeling sore aching gastrointestinal pain kidney pain. Overall weakness, tiredness, headache. Literally hurts to walk, abdomen sore, hives still there, semi nauseus. I wish they worked for me - but seems a severe allergic repsonse. And seems that FDA shld look into this as too many people reporting similar thing. I researched and they are high in sulfites, Red Dye (fr China), pesiticides including DDT, and this alkoloid that can be dangerous. Not saying this applies to every batch. But something's going on. I don't even like to look at them in the plastic container. Real aversion therapy.
Nicole
I've been eating goji berries for 4-6 weeks now from a reputable health store but in the last fortnight have found they are giving me diarohea & bad stomach cramps. It's definitely the berries as it goes away when I don't eat them. Wondered if it is perhaps too much vitamin C as they are said to be high in it & occassionally oranges or mandarines will effect me the same way (if I eat too many). It's a shame because they were giving me more energy & felt good eating them until now.
bernie - west australia
careful people. just make sure you don't overindulge!! these berries can be the devil if you don't do it correctly. and many will assume that being they are touted as some superfood, that a whole 250g bag might be ok?? especially if the lady at the health food shop said nothing in regards to overdosing. nor did the herbalist who recommended them in the first place. or the doctor. surely its got to be better than a 250g packet of potato chips?? no. just don't. now i'm so crook i can't even LOOK at a bag of them. and i'm too scared to see if even in moderation these are ok for me cos i'm onto the second day of being very sick. first 24 hours was chronic diarrhea and bloating. now today i'm onto the nauseau and lethargy. yay for me and these wonder berries.
Mag
The first time I tried goji berries, I was fine. The second time, I ate a small handful on an empty stomach and was vomiting within the hour. I assumed I was getting the stomach flu, not making the connection. Several months later I sampled just a few goji berries with yogurt at Whole Foods, and I barely made it to my driveway, vomiting in my pour flowers! What is up with these things? Never again!!!
Lucky
I have never had a problem with Goji berries, I have been eating them for years. I have eating them everyday and then stopped eating them because I just didn't go to the health food store, and then continue eating them again, even eating two cups a day. I eat them as a snack all of the time right now. With that being said though, I use to love kiwi's and then one day after not having eaten a kiwi in maybe four years I had a drink with kiwi in it and vomited. I though it was just a fluke so I ate a kiwi and I puked again. I found out I am now allergic to something in kiwi and I never was before. Odd but the body does go through changes all the time, or as some say ever seven years. It is definitely not the Goji berries fault though, so don't be afraid of them if you have not tried them. If anything else it could just be the manufacturer fault. I have only ever bought the same brand so I cannot complain about the ones I purchase. Poor happy berries.. although I can understand not wanting to eat them after throwing up, even looking at kiwi's now makes me nauseous.
futuredoc
It looks to me like some of your adverse reactions to the berries may be reactions to atropine. Goji berries contain low levels of the drug atropine. Atropine levels in goji berries are below toxic levels, however if you are sensitive to this drug you may still have a bad reaction to the berries.
Atropine is used medically, and you can find drug information at rxlist.com or drugs.com. I have seen vomiting listed as a rare but serious side effect of atropine. Less serious side effects include dry mouth, excessive thirst, and nausea, which some of you have described above. The itchy skin described by some people above is most likely an allergic reaction to atropine or something else in the berries.
If you experience any of these side effects or an allergic reaction from goji berries, these berries just aren't for you. There are many other fruits, vegetables, and herbs with antioxidant properties that you can try instead.
rifka
Very interesting to read all these comments. I've always heard how healthy Goji berries are and now included them into my diet. I followed the direction on the bag, which says to only eat about a small handful. However I started to get stomach cramps so I will stop using them for a while, esp. after reading what everybody else said. I do have a very sensitive stomach though and first could not figure out what I did wrong as I am very conscious about my diet. I'm sure it's the berries now. Personally I will try to include a VERY small amount into my diet (may be 5 berries per day?) at a later stage since they still seem to be very good for you if taken right. I really hope that they are still ok for me in small amounts.
What all this feedback shows is that even with food considered as very healthy one should not overdo it...
amiral
my body is strong type how do i flush out fat from my body with goji berry
Ang W Kiong
There is the sulphured and unsulphured type. Surphured is to lengthen the shelf life and could it be the sulphur that cause users to vomit.
Asians, especially the chinese use it a lot in their soup preparation. I add goji when I make hawthorne tea. Hawthorne is sour but Goji is sweet. However, I always rinse them with hot water before pouring hot water to make tea.
Similarly one can try making Goji tea,but first rinse it, just in case there be too much sulphur.
distressed
What about being dizzy and fainting!? How can I get the small dosage of a flat teaspoon a day for the past 2 weeks out of my system?
kiron
Why dont you guys try the capsules ?
sick too
Oh yes...very, very sick. Does anyone know how to get whatever substance in them is making me sick, out of me? How do I cleanse from being poisoned from this berry???
boomkla
goji berries are not actully really good for your body if you eat it in the wrong way, try putting some in your sweet soups, todays, most goji farmers use pesticides, if you're eating them raw, remember to wash and drain them first. Also goji berry is not like blueberry and raspberry, they are a herb, just like if you've got a cold, you won't eat a whole packet of paracetamol and complain that you want to vomit.
pedro
Nout sure about any side effects but I'm only eating them as recommended by my acupuncturist. She recommended one tablespoon twice a week (about 48 dried berries). My wife is taking them as well and thus fare no problems even though we have only taken them twice. We have high hopes for our health, good to read it's not the wonder fruit for everyone. A balanced view is always better than the hype you read on some web sites.
lynn
I have had gogi berries in combination herbal supplements and in tea with no problem. I bought a bag of organic gogi berries as a snack and got very ill within a few minutes of eating just a few. I couldn`t believe it was the berries and tried it again the next day and was sick for hours.
Atlas
Allergic reactions to goji berries are nothing new. Medical journals in China in the 1990s reported severe cases. One case was a 20-year-old male who had eaten 20 g of the berries which he bought at a pharmacy. Reactions were reported in the form of intensely itchy raised, red marks covering the face and chest. He had never experienced an allergic reaction before. Some time after treatment at a clinic, his doctors had him return and challenged the reaction by having him eat another 20 g of the berries. The allergy was confirmed when he had the same reaction as before. Another was a 59-year-old woman who was hospitalized after she experienced a severe allergic reaction in the form of intensely itchy scratch-like marks that covered her whole face. She grew her own berries in her back yard and had washed and simmered them before use, so we can throw out hypotheses about sulfur and other additives and preservatives as the culprits. She had only eaten a handful (about 20 to 25 berries) when the reactions occurred. Her doctors had her eat another handful as an allergic challenge and the reaction was almost the same as before.
Given that these confirmed cases of allergic reactions were reported in medical journals in China, why is it that no one has mentioned them? Read all the books available on goji berry and all the web sites promoting them and try to find any mention of allergic reactions. As usual, it's business before due diligence or caring for the consumer. For that matter, documented reports of allergic reactions come up in the same databases as the pharmacological studies on goji berries in China that the same purveyors hype, so the cases could hardly have been be missed. Since the 1990s, there have been numerous cases around the world and some involved hospitalization.
Organic goji berries or not, the reactions have been much the same. But that's hardly surprising. There are allergic reactions to almost everything. Look around and you'll find people reporting reactions to acai. Look at the medical literature and you'll find allergic reactions to dozens upon dozens of common and uncommon foods, herbs, and spices. Why is it so hard to believe that goj berries would be an exception?
At the same time, some people, especially asthmatics, are allergic to sulfites and the reaction can be severe, even to the point of anaphylactic shock. Wheals on the skin, rashes, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping are the main symptoms. Some but not all Chinese herbs are known to be treated with sulfites and the US Dept of Agriculture has refused shipments of goji berries due to excessive levels of sulfites. A study in Hong Kong in 2006 found 9 out 15 of the common herbs obtained from local pharmacies held sulfur dioxide. Contents ranged from 108 to 3180 micrograms/g. Sulfites are applied to preserve herbs and in dried fruits to prevent browning, so it was only to be expected that goji berries would be accorded the same treatment.
Atlas
Looking at the introduction to this page, I noticed the completely made up name "Lycium Eleagnus Barbarum". Why anyone would go to the trouble of creating a new name when no botanist or regulatory body in the world would accept it is unfathomable. Another myth is that the plant Lycium barbarum L. or the closely related species Lycium chinense Miller is indigenous to the Himalayas. More marketing mythology! I've even seen Lycium tibetana, which is another made up name without any taxonomic basis. I suppose people will believe anything if it's incredible enough.
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Goji Berry, 60 Capsules, $7.95