The Maqui Berry
The Maqui tree grows mainly in the fertile and pristine area of Chile and some parts of Argentina known as Patagonia.
This temperate Valdivian region is isolated from the subtropical and tropical forests of northern South America by the Atacama desert north of the Matorral, the Andes mountains and dry rain-shadow grasslands that are east of the Andes and as a result have evolved in relative isolation.
This region is one of the most fertile and non-polluted areas in the world and also a region of harsh climate conditions. The Maqui has evolved and thrived there, even under sub-zero temperatures.
The botanical name of the Maqui tree is Aristotelia chilensis (derived from Aristotle, ancient Greek naturalist and philosopher) and is part of the Elaeocarpaceae (flowering tree) family. The Maqui berry is small, 4 to 6 mm in diameter and blackish/purple, containing 4 to 8 angular seeds. It is sometimes also called Chilean wineberry because the dark purple juice is sometimes used in making wine and also because Maqui wine and chicha (a fermented alcoholic beverage) are made from the berries.
The tree is a small evergreen which only reaches a height of about 15 feet. The leaves are a glossy dark green and ovate to lanceolate. The flowers are greenish/white and large and open in early spring or late summer. The berries ripen in late summer to early fall and are harvested wild. They are said to taste somewhat like blueberries.
All parts of the tree are used for medicinal purposes by the Mapuche Indians. The berries are used to make chicha, but they are also used for jam and wine. The juice is also used as an astringent. The leaves are used for burns. An infusion of the leaves is used for wounds, an inflamed throat, diarrhea and also as an analgesic. The leaves are dried and used to heal wounds. The inner bark can be pulled in long, fibrous strings which are used for cord or even strings for some primitive instruments.
The Spaniards fought the Mapuche Indians for 300 years and wrote that the power, strength and stamina of the Mapuche must be due to the fermented Maqui berry juice (chicha) they drank several times a day. Actually, the Mapuche Indians, who have existed all throughout the Americas for hundreds of years have never been conquered, although the Incas and the Spaniards tried. Although small in stature, the Mapuche were very strong. Over the years the Maqui berry became a symbol for strength and stamina with healing powers believed to be mystical. There is no mystery now. The antioxidents in the Maqui berry far exceed any other “super food.” The berries were used in the winter to increase body warmth and stamina. Traditionally, the Mapuche use the berries for tumors, fevers, sore throat, hemorrhoids and even child birth. The leaves have long been used to reduce inflammation.
Since discovery, quite a bit of research has been done on this wondrous berry. It is an excellent nutritional supplement, full of antioxidents, vitamins and minerals. The Maqui berry grows in one of the most beautiful and unsullied places on earth. It is no wonder we have this berry powered with more antioxidant-producing phytonutrients than any other botanical known to man.
