Camu Camu

Camu camu is a small bushy tree found at the river side of Amazon rainforest. It bears a small cherry-like fruit of the same name. Camu camu has the highest natural Vitamin C than any other fruit in the world. This fruit from the back waters of Amazon rainforest has various health, cosmetic and edible benefits.

Camu Camu

Table of Contents

Table Of Content

Table of Contents

Camu Camu Scientific Name

The scientific name for camu camu is Myrciaria dubia.

General Names

It is also known as Cacari, Camucamu and Camocamo. Sometimes known as bayberry fruit, rumberry, guavaberry, mirto, murta, mijo, mije, coco-carette etc.

Camu Camu Description

Camu camu is a small bush that grows to a height of about 7 to 10 feet. It bears a fruit of the same name which has a dark reddish or purplish skin with a yellow pulp. The fruit is just the size of a large grape of approximately 20 millimeters in diameter. The tree produces small white flowers and the petals are waxy and have a very sweet aroma. It has an evergreen feathery leaves.

Picture 1 – Camu Camu

Camu Camu Range

Camu camu is native to the South American Rainforest in Peru and Brazil. They grow mainly in the swampy and flooded areas near the flood plains.

Camu camu is distributed along the lowlands of Amazon. It is widely available in Columbia, Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia. In Brazil, it is available along the river banks of Urupa and Macangana rivers, Manaus and Manacapuru and Medeira and Negro Rivers.

Camu Camu Tree

Camu camu is mostly cultivated for its edible fruit. This plant is very tolerant to floods. Since they grow in the flood plains, the root of the plant and even the aerial parts are submerged inside the water for more than 4 to 5 months. Each year the flood carries along the nutrients and deposits it in the flood plain. Hence the cultivation of camu camu is of a great social and economic importance to the Amazon ecosystem.

The shrub starts bearing fruit with 3 to 4 years. The fruits are harvested once in a year according to the precipitation cycle. The plant flowers during the dry season and gets ready for harvest during the rainy season.

Camu Camu Properties

Anti-Inflammatory
Antioxidant
Astringent
Emoliente
Natural Slimming
Anti-Migraine
Anti-Depressant
Anti-Viral
Nutritive

Camu Camu Traditional Uses

The benefits of Camu camu were known to the native healers and herbalists. Camu camu were traditionally made into a juice, it was recommended for overall health, to support the immune system, to keep viral infections away and were taken in conditions of stress and anxiety. It also promoted healthy skin, gums, eyes, nails and functioning of the nervous system and heart.

Camu Camu Nutritional Amount

The nutritional amount in 100g serving of Camu camu is as follows:

Fat: 2.62g	Carbohydrate: 92.71g	Minerals	Vitamins
Fiber: 0.76g	Glucose: 18.33g	Calcium: 4.27mg	Vitamin C: 7.49g
Protein: 1.55g	Maltose: 22.27g	Iron: 0.94mg	Vitamin B1: 0.07mg
	Sucrose: 18g	Potassium: 9.71g	Vitamin B2: 0.16mg
	Lactose: 0.47g	Phosphorous: 35.14mg	Niacin: 8.25mg
	Starch: 58.07g

Camu Camu Nutritional Benefits

Camu camu has an extremely high content of naturally occurring Vitamin C. It is extremely acidic and has thirty times more Vitamin C than Orange. It is rich in Iron, Niacin, Phosphorous and Riboflavin. It is a natural source of potassium amino acids and minerals. Each of these minerals is beneficial for optimal health.

Picture 2 – Camu Camu Image

Vitamin C: Vitamin C is essential for proactive maintenance of a health body. Camu camu fruit contains the highest amount of Vitamin C than any other fruit. It is better than artificial Vitamin C as the naturally occurring Vitamin C is easily absorbed by the body. Vitamin C has antioxidants which prevent premature aging of cells. It supports the immune system, promotes good skin, gums, eyes and cardio vascular health.

Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Phosphorous: essential for a healthy heart, sharp mind, supports the nervous system and overall energy in the body.

Serine: supports healthy nervous system which promotes healthy functioning of the brain.

Leucine: essential in the production of growth hormones.

Limonene: camu camu powder is used in the weight loss programs. Limonene reduces appetite and therefore helps in weight loss.

Riboflavin, Beta-carotene and niacin: it has natural drug free, anti-toxic and anti-depression element. It has helped combat depression. Also promotes healthy hair, skin and nails.

Camu Camu Health Benefits

Helps to improve immune system
Helps in reducing inflammation
Helps to maintain good eyesight
Helps in warding off viral infection
Helps in maintaining respiratory health
Supports ligament and tendons
Helps improve mental health as anti-depression
Helps maintain healthy blood circulation
Helps in detoxifying the body, especially the liver
Helps in blood formation

Camu Camu Cosmetic Uses

Whitening
Anti-aging
Natural anti-oxidant
It is used in Brazil as a product that helps untangle and strengthen hair. Used in shampoos and hair products to add vitality and shine to the hair.

Camu Camu Food and Beverage Uses

Had a reddish color pigmentation which provides an attractive color in juices.
Recently, camu camu has been used in preparation of ice-creams, candies and sweets.
The bark and stem of the plant are used in tea which is said to provide relief for diabetes.
The pulp of the camu camu berries are used to produce juice, jam, nectar, yogurt etc
The fruit is eaten as food

Camu Camu Other Uses

The shell of a ripe camu camu berry has a high concentration of anthocyanin pigment; they can be used for making dyes.

Camu Camu Powder

Camu camu berries are grounded into a fine powder which has a light tan color. A pound of camu camu powder requires 15 pounds of camu camu berries. A pound of this powder has 13 to 16% vitamin C by weight. Thus, just a teaspoon of this powder mixed in juice or just water provides a powerful anti-oxidant boost. However, it is always suggested to take medical advice before consuming it.

Camu Camu Oil

Camu camu oil is extracted from the camu camu fruit. This light weight oil is used for cosmetic purpose, especially as a leave on conditioner for hair.

Helps in preventing split ends
Provides shine and vitality
Helps in revitalizing damaged hair
Protect the hair from thermal damage

Camu Camu Sustainability

Camu camu trees are productive for several years. The wild trees have had a yield of about 12 kgs, however, with the improved horticulture and fertilization, the yield of the camu camu has improved. In Peru, government provides free camu camu seeds to the forest dwelling natives so that they can plant and harvest them. The Amazonian rainforest natives have started to grow camu camu in a commercial scale so that it has a social and economic balance. They can create a sustainable economy and at the same time carry on with their traditional planting of the camu camu tress without destroying the ecosystem. Recent days Japan imports almost the entire harvest of Camu camu berries making it almost rare commodity in Amazon.

Camu Camu Side Effects

Since camu camu has the highest Vitamin C content than any other fruit, hence, over consumption of these can cause problem in digestion and may cause diarrhea. The dozes of camu camu powder or tablets recommended by doctor should not be exceeded. Camu Camu helps in the production of serotonin. However excess serotonin causes side effects like, lack of sleep, vomiting, loss of appetite and nausea. Excess of anything would have side effects; similarly, too much Vitamin C in the body can lead to iron poisoning. Over doze of Camu Camu may lead to high metabolic and heart activity.

Camu Camu Conservation Status

Over-harvesting may lead to making camu camu plant an endangered species. Efforts are made to provide a sustainable cultivation of the camu camu berries.