Did you know that the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre can safely integrate herbal medicine with other treatment options? Actually, camu camu – which is a type of botanical supplementation – may be handy for enhancing immune function, reducing inflammation, and more. 

Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is a shrub situated in the muddy areas of the Amazon rainforest. It’s been touted as a ‘superfruit’ for its potent antioxidant properties, while “…exhibiting antioxidant, antihyperglycemic, antihypertensive, and antiobesity activity, contributing to quality life improvement,” reports an ACS Omega article.

The medicinal plant boasts a plethora of nutrients, including zinc, potassium, magnesium, essential amino acids, healthy fatty acids, polyphenols, calcium, carotenoids, and more! For this post, our Toronto area functional medicine practice highlights:

• • A brief profile of this herbal ingredient;
  • What lab studies have confirmed about its powerful actions on the body;
  • And how our functional medicine practitioners can help you with detoxification therapies, herbal remedies, and more.

What is Camu Camu?

• • The berries of this plant resemble cherries with yellowish-reddish tones, and they’re known for their sour taste. When used medicinally, camu camu is usually prepared as capsules, liquids or powders. It may be sourced from health food stores and, depending on how it’s prepared, it can be added to meals or consumed as an herbal tea. 
  • This plant’s vitamin C content is tenfold compared to an orange! Due to its impressive vitamin content, camu camu may be advantageous for immune function and wound healing. 
  • Camu camu’s vitamin C content can vary depending on its region of cultivation. For instance, when comparing specimens sourced from the Amazon rainforest to those grown in southern Brazil, such as in Paraná state, extracts from the Amazon typically exhibit higher concentrations of vitamin C. This difference is attributed to varying factors such as soil composition, climate, and humidity. 
  • This medicinal plant was originally embraced by folk medicine practitioners. But over the past 50 years, “… the exceptionally high vitamin C content of camu-camu has attracted worldwide attention that continues today because of the recent discovery of several health-promoting phytochemicals with corroborated biological activities (e.g., antioxidant, anti-obesity, antidiabetic),” confirms Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts.

What Scientists Say About This Medicinal Herb 

Camu camu has been formally scrutinized by researchers. So, what have they concluded about its beneficial effects?  

• • Camu camu has the potential to lessen liver fat. In a 2024 study on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), “Scientists observed a 7.43% reduction in liver lipids when study participants took camu-camu extract,” states ScienceDaily. Liver fat may have been effectively lowered in this study due to camu camu’s high bioavailability rate. 
  • It exerts powerful anti-inflammatory effects. A study on male smokers showed that camu camu may reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory markers; this was noted when the men were given 70mL of camu camu juice (which contained 1050mg of vitamin C) for seven days. A different group was given the same amount of vitamin C in tablet form, but they did not experience the same effects. Scientists speculate that “… given the equivalent vitamin C contents, that camu camu possibly contains other antioxidative substances, including and in addition to the known presence of carotenoids and anthocyanins.”
  • May help lower blood pressure. This herb could be supportive for helping to dilate blood vessels, potentially helping to ease hypertension. During one study, it was shown that a single dose of camu camu (25g) assisted with lowering blood pressure levels in 20 students between the ages 18-28. 
  • Shown to lessen blood sugar spikes. In another study, young adults (ages 21-35) were studied to see how camu camu affected their glucose and lipid profiles; the herb was administered as capsules with vitamin C levels measured at 320mg. After 15 days, it was shown that camu camu exerted “…hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic action in volunteers studied. These results demonstrate the potential benefit of vitamin C and camu-camu … presenting the fruit as an excellent source of this vitamin,” reports a Cuban Journal of Medicinal Plants article. 

Note: Like other plant medicine ingredients, camu camu may interact with OTC and prescription medications. There’s a possibility of the herb interfering with blood thinners, phosphate binders, chemotherapy, and protease inhibitors. Before trying any new botanical medicine treatments, please consult with a functional naturopathic doctor who has expertise in herbal remedies. 

Suggested reading: What is Soursop? A Toronto Functional Medicine Herb Profile

Experience Our Personalized Medicine Approach Today

Complementary natural therapies (i.e. herbal medicine) can contribute to wellness enhancements. When these treatments are safely combined with other functional medicine therapies, such as Western and naturopathic medicine, psychotherapy, and Traditional Chinese Medicine, they can potentially combat widespread symptoms and foster disease prevention. 

Our functional medicine practitioners are adept at modifying treatment plans for biological needs; these strategies may be beneficial for a wide variety of conditions (i.e. autoimmune illness, cognitive decline, menopausal symptoms, low libido, heart disease, etc.). We also provide an extensive amount of laboratory testing for exploring the root cause of your health concerns. These lab results – which are from functional lab tests that may not be accessed by some Western medicine clinics – are valuable for tailoring dosages of nutrients for your needs, especially for intravenous therapy. 

As we provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare, our IV Lounge is available for patients who want to ‘top up’ their nutrient levels for adjunctive purposes. Each IV drip is tailored with the principles of functional medicine and, when amalgamated with behavioural & lifestyle modifications and formal health interventions, they can potentially aid overall health promotion. 

Botanical supplementation can be  beneficial for energy boosts, detoxification, and more. Don’t be shy – send a quick message to the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre to request your 1st appointment!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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 Oct;100(Pt 2):196-203. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.044. Epub 2017 Aug 19. PMID: 28888441.

Castro, J.C. et al. (2020). Bioactive Compounds of Camu-Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh). In: Murthy, H., Bapat, V. (eds) Bioactive Compounds in Underutilized Fruits and Nuts. Reference Series in Phytochemistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06120-3_21-1

Do, N. Q., Zheng, S., Park, B., Nguyen, Q. T., Choi, B., Fang, M., Kim, M., Jeong, J., Choi, J., Yang, S., & Yi, T. (2021). Camu-Camu Fruit Extract Inhibits Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Responses by Regulating NFAT and Nrf2 Signaling Pathways in High Glucose-Induced Human Keratinocytes. Molecules, 26(11), 3174. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113174

Fracassetti D, Costa C, Moulay L, Tomás-Barberán FA. Ellagic acid derivatives, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins and other phenolics, vitamin C and antioxidant capacity of two powder products from camu-camu fruit (Myrciaria dubia). Food Chem. 2013 Aug 15;139(1-4):578-88. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.01.121. Epub 2013 Feb 13. PMID: 23561148.

García-Chacón JM, Marín-Loaiza JC, Osorio C. Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia (Kunth) McVaugh): An Amazonian Fruit with Biofunctional Properties-A Review. ACS Omega. 2023 Feb 6;8(6):5169-5183. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07245. PMID: 36816657; PMCID: PMC9933082.

Inoue, T., Komoda, H., Uchida, T., & Node, K. (2008). Tropical fruit camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Journal of Cardiology, 52(2), 127-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjcc.2008.06.004

Justi KC, Visentainer JV, Evelázio de Souza N, Matsushita M. Nutritional composition and vitamin C stability in stored camu-camu (Myrciaria dubia) pulp. Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2000 Dec;50(4):405-8. PMID: 11464674.

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 Jan;21(1):8-14. doi: 10.1089/acm.2014.0130. Epub 2014 Oct 2. PMID: 25275221; PMCID: PMC4296744.

Languer VB, Amaro GF, Ozaki YLK, et al. Effect of camu-camu capsules on blood glucose and lipid profile of healthy adults. Rev Cubana Plant Med. 2015;20(1):48-61.

Miyashita T, Koizumi R, Myoda T, Sagane Y, Niwa K, Watanabe T, Minami K. Data on a single oral dose of camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) pericarp extract on flow-mediated vasodilation and blood pressure in young adult humans. Data Brief. 2017 Dec 14;16:993-999. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2017.12.009. PMID: 29322080; PMCID: PMC5752086.

Serrano, A., Ros, G., & Nieto, G. (2018). Bioactive Compounds and Extracts from Traditional Herbs and Their Potential Anti-Inflammatory Health Effects. Medicines, 5(3), 76. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines5030076

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