Goji Juice Scam - Finding the Truth Amid the Hype

The Goji juice scam referred to in recent news stories can mean either of two things: unfounded product claims or the way the product has been marketed (i.e., pyramiding).

Although Goji juice does indeed have certain health benefits, it has become a victim of the explosive enthusiasm that often accompanies "new" discoveries. This enthusiasm has led to wild claims unsupported by scientific research, as well as inaccuracies regarding the origins of certain Goji products.

The hype comes, unsurprisingly, from certain enterprises that jumped on the Goji juice bandwagon and sought to add to the product's proven benefits as a way to market it more effectively – or so they thought.

Simply put, the root cause of all the confusion appears to be money. And because of such myopic marketing practices, all the resulting talk of scams has hurt the reputation of Goji juice in the nutritional supplement market – which isn't such a bad thing since it also alerted people to the many benefits of locally available, relatively inexpensive, Lycium berries (Goji is Lycium barbarum).

As for the pyramiding scam associated with the product, its exposure has driven down the cost of commercial Goji juice, benefiting simple consumers or end users.

Those who seek to engage in pyramid schemes involving Goji juice, or any other product for that matter, are advised to refer to the US Federal Trade Commission laws regarding multilevel marketing.

Goji Juice Scam: What's True, What's False

TRUE: Goji, Lycium berries, and wolfberries are one and the same. Technically, it is wrong to say "Goji berry" since Goji IS the Lycium berry.

FALSE: "Lycium eleagnus barbarum" is a variation on the Goji.

FALSE: "Lycium eleagnus pungens" is a different berry.

TRUE: All the so-called variations are not scientific but MARKETING names. They are ALL Lycium barbarum.

TRUE: Lycium is a kind of nightshade, while Elaeagnus is a type of oleaster. They are neither related nor synonymous.

FALSE: The Himalayan Goji is different from the Western wolfberry.
FALSE: The Tibetan or Tibet-grown Goji has special properties.

TRUE: "Himalayan" and "Tibetan" were simply attached to the Goji to make it sound more exotic.

TRUE: Although labeled Himalayan or Tibetan, they are both actually MONGOLIAN! As all Lycium berries are!

FALSE: Lycium berries grown by the Chinese are full of pesticides.
FALSE: Goji juice is more easily absorbed into the system than fresh Lycium berries or homemade Lycium berry juice.

TRUE: Commercial Goji juice is probably more convenient to drink BUT it generally is not all juice from the Goji. It may contain pear, apple, and/or grape juice as well, along with other ingredients.

TRUE: Moreover, commercial Goji juice is much more expensive. Lycium berries are available for as little as $7 to $10 (or a maximum of $20) per pound at markets or herbal grocers.

CAUTION: Stay away from the bright, red-orange berries since these have been treated with sulphur.

The biggest Goji juice scam of them all has to do with its astonishing cure-all properties. The Goji or Lycium berry has indeed been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy in China – but it is regarded only as a mild tonic.

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