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Fruits & Vegetables

Maqui

Botanical Name:Aristotelia chilensis
Family: Elaeocarpaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Oxalidales
Genus: Aristotelia
Species:A. chilensis

Common Names: Maqui or Chilean wineberry.

Other Names: Chilean Maquei Berry, Baie de Maqui, Chilean Wineberry, Jus de Maqui, Chilean Wine Berry, Macqui, Clon, Macqui Berry, Maquei Berry, Maquei, Maqui Berry, Maquei Super Fruit, Maqui Juice, Maqui Berry Juice, Queldron.

Habitat: Maqui is native to Chile and Argentina near the southwest coast of South America. It is found naturally in Chilean rainforests. Its native area includes the Coquimbo and Aysén regions of Chile, and is 170,000 hectares (420,000 acres) in total. Limited numbers of these trees are cultivated in gardens for their small fruits, known as maqui berries. Most of the fruits commercially marketed come from the wild.

Description:

Tree:……..CLICK & SEE
Maqui is a small dioecious evergreen tree that can reach 4 to 5 metres (13 to 16 ft) in height. Its divided trunk has a smooth bark. Its branches are abundant, thin and flexible. Its leaves are simple, opposite, hanging, oval-lanceolate, naked and coriaceous, with serrated edges. The leaf venation is highly visible, and the leaf stalk is a strong red color.

In the beginning of spring, the tree sheds the old cohort, which is used as a carbohydrate source to form the new leaves and flowers.

Flowers and berries:...CLICK & SEEFlowers……..Fruits
When Maqui flowers at the end of spring, the white flowers are unisexual and small, but they eventually yield a small edible fruit. The small purple-black berries that form are approximately 4 to 6 millimetres (0.16 to 0.24 in) in diameter and contain 4 to 8 angled seeds. A seven-year-old tree can produce up to 10 kilograms (22 lb) of berries per year. With fruit that tastes similar to blackberries.

Propagation:
Seeds of A. chilensis germinate without cold stratification. In zones with the possibility of frost, it is recommended to sow in spring in a greenhouse. If they have grown enough, by autumn, the new plants can be planted into individual pots . The potted plants should stay in the greenhouse for the first winter.

The following year, after the last expected frost in spring, the plants can be planted out into their final positions. In their first winter outdoors, some type of frost protection is required. For further propagation, vegetal reproduction is possible: cuttings of wood with a length of 15 to 30 centimetres (5.9 to 11.8 in) can be planted into pots. These cuttings normally root, and can be planted out in the following spring.

Edible Uses: Fruits are eaten raw.

Health Benefits of Macqui berry:
Maqui berries have high content of anthocyanins which are the pigments that provides purple color to plants like delphiniums, violas and other fruits. Anthocyanins provide antioxidant activity. It provides natural anti-inflammatory activity which helps to treat chronic problems such as heart disease, arthritis, cancer and diabetes. Antioxidants assist in prevention of cholesterol from being oxidized in body which lowers the chances of problems such as stroke, heart attack and atherosclerosis. Maqui berries have high content of antioxidants in comparison to acai berries. It supports heart health by balancing the levels of glucose and body weight. Antioxidants help to prevent cholesterol from oxidizing the blood which helps to prevent cardiovascular disease such as hardening of arteries, stroke and heart attack. Adequate presence of phytochemicals prevents damage caused due to toxins, sun exposure and pollution.

Medicinal Uses:
Traditional uses:

*Plant is febrifuge, astringent and poultice.
*It is used to treat intestinal tumors and throat infections.
*Mapuche use the dried leaves and berries externally to heal infected wounds and scarring injuries.
*Poultice made from leaves are used as analgesic, anti-tumor and anti-pyretic properties.
*Use the water infusion prepared from berries and leaves internally for digestive, intestinal purposes, inflammation and kidney pains.
*Gargle with the infusion made from leaves for mouth, throat ulcers and tonsillitis.
*It provides youthful look.
*This fruit increases energy, endurance and makes the body strong.
*Maqui berry rejuvenate cells and ward off chemicals and toxins.
*It is used to treat sore throats, tumors, haemorrhoids and ulcers.
*Leaves infusion are used to gargle in case for inflammation of oropharyngeal mucosa.
*Fruits are used externally for treatment of infected wounds by Mapuches.

Known Hazards:
*People who are allergic to Maqui berries should stay away from it.
*Consume it in moderate amounts.
*People with health problems should consult the doctor for use.

Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotelia_chilensis
https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/maqui-berry/

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