"Wolfberry is a characteristic traditional Chinese herb," says Zhao Shihua, an expert on the herb in Ningxia. "Our mission is to explore its new health benefits and promote its worldwide sales."

Ningxia produces 80,000 tons of gouqi annually, 10 percent of which are exported to 23 countries and regions, including the United States and France.

The region's new wolfberry festival has drawn agriculturists, herbalists, researchers and business people from China and abroad.

"We find that each part of gouqi is valuable," Zhao adds. "The leaves, stems, flowers, seeds and bark all have medicinal effects."

Nowadays a great number of new products with wolfberry have been produced such as wine, drinks, tea, oil, milk, vinegar, honey and even cosmetics.

A new product is gouqi sprout tea. Although the tender sprout has no flower and no fruit, it contains a concentration of the most healthful elements.

This light-flavored sprout tea is suited to office workers who are on the go. It is said to ease the mind and reduce facial acne. Used as eyedrops, it can relieve watery eyes and mild conjunctivitis, say its proponents.

Chinese people often add gouqi to soups, teas, congees and other dishes, not only for its bright red color but also for its vision and skin-care benefits.

Experts say, however, that the best way to absorb its full nutrition is to eat the berries directly. Many people in Ningxia eat a bowl of fresh berries daily. That's part of their secret of long life.

City dwellers should eat about 30 grams of dried fruit a day for long-term health benefits.

(Shanghai Daily July 22,2008)