Camu Camu
Myrciaria dubia
Camu Camu (Myrciaria dubia) grows along the floodplains of the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon and holds the world record for natural vitamin C concentration — containing up to 3,000 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fresh fruit, compared to 50 mg in oranges. Beyond its extraordinary vitamin C content, camu camu contains ellagic acid, anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-glucoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside), and flavonoids that show direct anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines. Ellagic acid inhibits VEGF-induced tumour angiogenesis, while the anthocyanins induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells. Peruvian indigenous communities use camu camu for immune support and general vitality. Its extremely high vitamin C content is relevant to high-dose vitamin C cancer protocols — providing a whole-food source with thousands of co-factors that isolated ascorbic acid lacks.
Medicinal Properties
Cancer Types Studied
Recommended Dosage
5–20 g whole camu camu powder daily (provides 1,500–6,000 mg natural vitamin C). Or 500–2000 mg standardised extract.
Preparations
Camu Camu Powder in Smoothie
1–4 tsp (5–20 g) freeze-dried camu camu powder blended into cold smoothies or juice. Do NOT cook — heat destroys vitamin C. Intensely sour, citrus flavour. Start with 1 tsp.
Camu Camu Capsules
500–1000 mg freeze-dried camu camu extract capsules 2–4 times daily. For those who cannot tolerate the intense sourness of the powder.
NIH / PubMed Research
Links open on PubMed (National Library of Medicine). Research is ongoing — results may not reflect clinical use.
Cautions & Interactions
- Extremely high vitamin C content — doses above 2,000 mg vitamin C daily may cause diarrhoea and digestive upset (start low)
- Caution in patients with haemochromatosis — vitamin C enhances iron absorption
- Avoid with high-dose oxalate-restricting diets — vitamin C metabolises to oxalate
- May enhance absorption of iron supplements — space from iron if haemochromatosis risk
- Should be freeze-dried only — heat destroys vitamin C content completely
Related Herbs
Informational only. Not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before use.