Wolfberry, Lycium barbarum in Latin, is a common medicinal food in China. These small red raisin-like dried berries from the wolfberry bush (solanaceae family) have long been a nutrition packed, tasty treat in China. The main active component in wolfberry fruit is the polysaccharide content with the amount variable depending upon growing factors, climate, and soil. The best wolfberry fruit in terms of nutrition and medicinal value would be the ones with the highest percentage of polysaccharides according to research. According to studies in China, polysaccharides in wolfberry increase the antibody reaction to T cell-dependant antigen, which means the polysaccharides selectively strengthen the T cell immune response.
