In2Herbs

 

Camu-camu is a low-growing shrub found throughout the Amazon rainforest, mainly in swampy or flooded areas. It grows to a height of about 2-3 m and has large, feathery leaves. It produces round, light orange-colored fruits about the size of lemons, which contain a significant amount of vitamin C. Its high The Chemical Nature ofvitamin C content has created a demand for camu-camu fruit in the natural products market. 

 

Camu-camu fruit.

Camu-camu fruit has the highest recorded amount of natural vitamin C known on the planet. Oranges provide 500-4,000 ppm vitamin C, or ascorbic acid; acerola has tested in the range of 16,000 to 172,000 ppm. Camu-camu provides up to 500,000 ppm, or about 2 grams of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit. In comparison to oranges, camu-camu provides thirty times more vitamin C, ten times more iron, three times more niacin, twice as much riboflavin, and 50% more phosphorus. Camu-camu is also a significant source of potassium, providing 711 mg per kg of fruit. It also has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C. Alpha-pinene and d-limonene (compounds known as terpenes) predominate as the volatile compounds in this fruit.

 

As with any vitamin C-rich fruit, however, the time between harvesting and consumption is crucial; the fruit may lose up to a quarter of its vitamin C content in less than a month (even if frozen). Even with this loss, camu-camu still has a dramatic edge over its next challenger, acerola, for vitamin C content.

 

In addition to the chemicals mentioned above, camu-camu contains beta-carotene, calcium, leucine, protein, serine, thiamin, and valine. 

It also has a full complement of minerals and amino acids that might aid in the absorption of vitamin C.* To learn more about this wonderful rainforest plant, go to the Tropical Plant Database file on Camu-Camu.

 

Traditional Uses:* for its natural high vitamin C content; for colds/flu (for its vitamin C content); for skin care/anti-aging (for its antioxidant, mineral, and vitamin content); as an edible fruit/fruit juice

 

Ingredients: 100% pure camu-camu fruit powder (Myrciaria dubia). No binders, fillers or additives are used. This product is non-irradiated and non-fumigated. It is a wild harvested product, grown naturally in the Peruvian Amazon without any pesticides or fertilizers

 

Suggested Use: Take 2 capsules 2 - 3 times daily or as directed by a health care professional.

 

Contraindications: None known.

 

Drug Interactions: None Known.