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Camu-Camu

Compilation by Armando Gonzalez Stuart, PhD

Scientific Name:

Myrciaria dubia

Botanical Family:

Myrtaceae

Other Common Name:

Cacari, Camocamo

Where is it found?

Camu-camu is a small tree native to the Amazon region including Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil.

Parts of the plant used:

Leaves, fruits, and seeds.

How is it used?

  • The juice of the fruit is commonly taken as a fermented drink, as well as a nutritional supplement.
  •  Capsules are also available in health food stores.

What is it used for?

  • The fruit contains many antioxidant compounds and could potentially be helpful in the prevention of various chronic and degenerative diseases such as arthritis, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and cardiovascular issues, although more clinical research is needed.
  • Camu camu is a one of the richest sources of natural vitamin C.
  • The fruit is a source of various antioxidant compounds.
  • The leaves also contain antioxidant (and potentially anti-carcinogenic) compounds.
  • The seeds of the plant can also have medicinal value for the prevention of immune-related diseases.
  • The juice may have powerful anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, compared to vitamin C tablets.

Camu camu seeds
Photo: J Dettner / Wikipedia
Camu Camu seeds

 

Safety / Precautions

Safety/Precautions:

  • The safety of using products made from this plant (either internally or externally) during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

Before you decide to take any medicinal herb or herbal supplement, be sure to consult with your health care professional first. Avoid self-diagnosis and self-medication: Always be on the safe side!

 

References:

  • Akachi T, Shiina Y, Kawaguchi T, Kawagishi H, Morita T, Sugiyama K. 1-methylmalate from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) suppressed D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats.
  • Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2010;74(3):573-8. Balisteiro DM, Araujo RL, Giacaglia LR, Genovese MI. Effect of clarified Brazilian native fruit juices on postprandial glycemia in healthy subjects. Food Res Int. 2017;100(Pt 2):196-203. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.044.
  • Duke J, Bogenschutz M, Ottesen, A. Medicinal Plants of Latin America. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008; pp. 471-472. J Cardiol. 2008 Oct;52(2):127-32. Epub 2008 Jul 29. Links
  • Franco MR, Shibamoto T. Volatile composition of some Brazilian fruits: umbu-caja (Spondias citherea), camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia), Araça-boi (Eugenia stipitata), and Cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum). J Agric Food Chem. 2005;53(24):9531-5.
  • Inoue T, Komoda H, Uchida T, Node K. Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2000;50(4):405-8.
  • Justi KC, Visentainer JV, Evelázio de Souza N, Matsushita M. Nutritional composition and vitamin C stability in stored camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp. J Agric Food Chem. 2000 ;48(4):1263-5.
  • Langley PC, Pergolizzi JV Jr, Taylor R Jr, Ridgway C. Antioxidant and associated capacities of Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia): a systematic review. J Altern Complement Med. 2015;21(1):8-14.10.1089/acm.2014.0130.
  • Mabberley DJ. Mabberley’s Plant Book 4th ed. London: Cambridge University Press; 2017; p. 609.
  • Reynertson KA, Yang H, Jiang B, Basile MJ, Kennelly EJ. Quantitative analysis of antiradical phenolic constituents from fourteen edible Myrtaceae fruits. Food Chem. 2008;109(4):883-890.
  • Ueda H, Kuroiwa E, Tachibana Y, Kawanishi K, Ayala F, Moriyasu M. Aldose reductase inhibitors from the leaves of Myrciaria dubia (H. B. & K.)McVaugh. Phytomedicine. 2004 ;11(7-8):652-6.
  • Yazawa K, Suga K, Honma A, Shirosaki M, Koyama T. Anti-inflammatory effects of seeds of the tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia).J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2011;5 7(1):104-7.
  • Zanatta CF, Cuevas E, Bobbio FO, Winterhalter P, Mercadante AZ. Determination of anthocyanins from camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) by HPLC-PDA, HPLC-MS, and NMR. Phytomedicine. 2004;11(7-8):652-6.