HOME

ORDER

ARTICLES

RECIPES

SITE MAP

CONTACT

Wild Berries Improve Relationships!
By Chitra Gunderson

I sit alone at the local coffee shop hoping to expand my relationship circle – my weekend social life. At least I see other people here…some of them I know as casual acquaintances, others are just faces in a mirage of interactions, glances, and smiles. As I catch pieces of conversations drifting in the air and observe unspoken movements that tell more than words, the last line of the poem, The Invitation, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer rings through my head – “I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.”

Perhaps I valued relationships in a different way when the children were still living at home, when raising them consumed my time, and physical and mental energy. It was always a struggle to find any time for myself then. Now that they are grown and have been on their own for several years, I find the empty moments consuming my life, depleting my energy, and often sliding my mind into the depths of reflection, isolation, or depression…wondering who I am in the empty moments.

Then, while researching natural alternatives to help me through this phase of life I stumbled upon an abundance of information about a remarkable gift of Mother Nature’s that has picked up my mood, increased my focus, and improved my relationship “quality of life.”

I learned about an amazing plant, Camu Camu, growing wild along the river banks of remote tributaries in the depths of the Amazon jungle. The Camu Camu bush produces reddish-purple berries that have a yellow pulp and are about the size of a large cherry. The berries, generally harvested from boats during high water seasons, are a favorite amongst the indigenous people as a citrus drink that gives a gentle mental pick up and clarity.

As I uncovered more information about Camu Camu, I found that Gary Null, Ph.D., nationally known nutritionist and researcher, listed 19 plants containing chemical compounds with antidepressant properties. In order of potency, Camu Camu ranked second on the list in effectiveness. Dr. Null’s findings included some people under medical supervision who have been able to gradually wean themselves off of their anti-depression prescription medication and substitute Camu Camu powder with no relapse into depression.

The mother of an eight year old boy, who had been hospitalized for suicidal depression, added two teaspoons of Camu Camu and one capsule of Maca to his diet and found that her son’s immune function improved – “he gets sick less often and his mood is better.” “It has smoothed him out and increased his ability to focus.”

More than just a supplement to help moods, the Camu Camu berries contain many health giving phyto-chemicals such as the amino acids serine, valine and leucine as well as more vitamin C than any other known plant in the world.

“I take vitamin C for colds…I prefer to get mine from Camu Camu, the amazing Amazonian fruit that has the world’s highest vitamin C content,” says Dr. James Duke, USDA scientist of 30 years, herbalist and author of The Green Pharmacy.

In fact, when compared to an orange I learned that Camu Camu provides 30-60 times more vitamin C, 10 times more iron, 3 times more niacin, 2 times more riboflavin, 50% more phosphorus and contains important levels of potassium as well as thiamin, protein, calcium, and beta carotene. Camu Camu berries also provide a full complement of minerals and amino acids that can aid in the absorption of vitamin C. The many health benefits linked with the use of vitamin C come from the intricate interaction of supportive co-factors found only in whole food, not present in isolated, synthesized molecules that we find on store shelves.

I was amazed as I continued with my research findings – more than 80% of the U.S. population suffers from some kind of herpes virus infection. The herpes virus lies dormant in the body, becoming active when the immune system is stressed manifesting as cold sores, genital blisters or shingles. On Dr. Null’s list of 19 plants containing anti-herpetic phyto-chemicals, Camu Camu is listed as number one in medical effectiveness against the herpes virus.

“A high quality Camu Camu fruit powder grown wild in South American rainforests has produced spectacular results with all types of herpes viruses, including Epstein Barr and Herpes Zoster (shingles). I have seen it work much faster than Acyclovir, the standard anti-herpes medication and better than L-lysine, the most common holistic treatment,” says Viana Muller, Ph.D., Anthropologist, herbalist, and expert on South American wild crafted herbs.

Mary Ann Hesse, Yoga Instructor & Certified Nutritional Counselor tells about her experience using Camu Camu, “It was a grey day in the mid-west, and I was a little tired. Truthfully, I didn't expect to notice anything. I just took the Pure Camu™ on faith knowing it was good for me. I shook up a 'fresh' pack in a bottle of water and drank it, and was pleasantly surprised by the taste. Within a couple of minutes I felt a wonderful lift. My spirit lifted, and I felt good the rest of the day!”

Mother Nature has provided us with over 200,000 plant species in the Amazonian Rainforest – Camu Camu is just one that continues to top the charts as the world’s highest concentration of natural occurring vitamin C, and for its effectiveness against the Herpes virus, improving moods and supporting collagen production for gorgeous skin. Now that I am regularly taking Pure Camu™ powder, I feel fantastic every day, I never get sick anymore, and as for my relationships…well those empty moments are filled with excitement, fun, and enthusiasm for life. I’m up early in the morning, work steadily through the day, and spend my evenings at the gym or tirelessly dancing at dance class. Pure Camu™ is the best thing that has come into my life!