Health Benefits of Camu-Camu: The Benefits of the Camu Camu Berry, an Amazon Herb and Natural Superfruit Supplement
About Camu Camu
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) grows naturally in the Amazon rainforest. It is quickly gaining recognition as having the highest naturally-occurring concentration of vitamin C on the planet, beating out second-place acerola and exceeding the content of an orange by a factor of 30. It also contains amino acids, terpines, fiber, beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and other beneficial substances.
Although it may be difficult to obtain camu camu berries in the US, camu is now available as a supplement or juice. As a powder it can be mixed with water or fresh juice or used in a smoothie. A new certified organic product made with camu and other rainforest herbs is a juice that can consumed daily by itself, mixed with additional organic juice, or added to a smoothie.
Camu’s Health Benefits
Given the properties of the camu camu berry it should come as no surprise that it offers a wealth of health benefits. It acts as an anti-inflammatory and a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C impacts collagen formation, ability to recover from physical exertion, and ability to adapt to increased altitude, in addition to its well-known effects on the immune system. As a natural vitamin C source, camu is superior to synthetic vitamin C products, as one study comparing camu camu juice and synthetic vitamin C found. Some users have reported almost immediate relief from sinus pain and pressure.
Dr. James Duke, former chief botanist for the USDA, considers camu to be the top herb for asthma. In fact, he compared hundreds of botanicals and camu-camu was ranked #1 in effectiveness for asthma, atherosclerosis, cataracts, colds, gingivitis, glaucoma, hepatitis, infertility, migraines, osteoarthritis, pain, and Parkinson’s. Camu was also ranked #2 for depression, #4 as an antioxidant, and #6 as an antiviral.
As an antiviral, camu has also been shown to be effective against the herpes virus, which in its different forms is responsible for cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and Epstein-Barr. Individuals seeking relief from these conditions have seen reduced outbreaks, rapid recovery, and in some cases even remission.
Camu camu’s effects on the body make it beneficial for athletes. Women’s Tri-Fitness champion Sylvia Ferrero uses the camu camu product from Amazon Herb Company and reports that she gets quicker recovery from shin splints and does not get as worn down as her colleagues seem to. The benefits of the vitamin C component alone are substantial, including improved development and healing of connective tissue.
As vitamin C also promotes nervous system health and proper neurotransmitter formation, camu has these benefits. It also shows an ability to increase serotonin levels, an action which may be responsible for reports that it has provided relief for depression and a reduced reliance on prescription anti-depressants.
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Sources & Resources
Journal articles:
Inoue, Komoda, Uchida, and Node (2008) J Cardiol. 52(2):127-32. “Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.”
Books:
The Clinician’s Handbook of Natural Healing, Gary Null
CRC Handbook of Alternative Cash Crops, James A. Duke
Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal, Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
The Green Pharmacy: New Discoveries in Herbal Remedies for Common Diseases and Conditions, James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Disease Prevention and Treatment, The Life Extension Editorial Staff
Nutrition and the Female Athlete, Jaime S. Ruud
Diets Designed for Athletes: How to Combine Foods, Fluids, and Supplements for Maximum Training and Performance, Maryann Karinch
Ascorbic Acid: Biochemistry and Biomedical Cell Biology, J. Robin Harris
Sports Nutrition: Vitamins and Trace Elements, Ira Wolinsky & Judy Anne Driskell
More Natural Cures, Kevin Trudeau
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