Maqui Berry Background and History
The Maqui berry or Chilean wineberry grows deep in the relatively isolated Valdivian temperate rain forests of Chile in an area known as Patagonia and is endemic to that region. This is some of the most fertile land on earth and one of the least polluted.
Until recently, this little purple berry was relatively unknown to most of us, although the plant name, Aristotelia chilensis, named after Aristotle (the ancient Greek naturalist and philosopher) dates back to 1784. In fact, this plant has been cultivated in England since the 1700s.
The berries are edible and the Mapuche Indians have long used them for a fermented drink called “chicha” and the leaves and bark for medicinal purposes. Chicha is a mainstay in the Mapuche diet and is still made today, as is Maqui wine. The locals also make jam and juice from the berries.
The Mapuche fought many attempts by the Incas to conquer them. Although the Mapuche warriors were short in stature, they had great stamina and strength. In fact, they fought the Spaniards beginning in the 16th century and for the next 300 years, very effectively. There were many places where the Mapuche lived that the Europeans did not return to until the 19th century. The Spaniards wrote that the Mapuche diet was low in solid food, but the warriors drank a fermented beverage (chicha) made from the Maqui berry several times a day and they felt it was this beverage that contributed to the Mapuche warrior’s amazing strength and stamina.
The Mapuche viewed the Maqui berry as sacred and a strong symbol of health with strong healing powers, which is not surprising since the Maqui berry has the highest antioxidant level of any botanical, according to Brunswick Laboratories. The chicha kept them warmer in the winter and gave them added strength and endurance during hunting season. They used the leaves for sore throats, wound healing and as an analgesic. The bark is easily peeled in long fibrous strips and is used for wounds.
Since antioxidants are the foundation of good health and longevity, it is not surprising that the Mapuche have a long life span. The Maqui berry delivers much superior antioxidant supporting healthy aging, cardiovascular health and a healthy immune system and is a great source of Vitamin C, iron and potassium.
Mapuche Indians have enjoyed the benefits of this wonderful berry for centuries and the health benefits really cannot be denied. This little berry can eliminate the damage from free radicals, the leading cause of aging and poor health and give us all the strength and stamina of a warrior!
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