Aristotelia chilensis, Baie de Maqui, Chilean Maquei Berry, Chilean Wineberry, Chilean Wine Berry, Clon, Jus de Maqui, Macqui, Macqui Berry, Maquei, Maquei Berry, Maquei Super Fruit, Maqui Berry, Maqui Berry Juice, Maqui Juice, Queldron.
Maqui (pronounced "mah-kee") is an evergreen shrub from Chile and Argentina. Its berries and juice are used for medicinal purposes.
People use maqui for weight loss, diabetes, heart disease, fatigue, "detoxification," and for general health and wellness.
How does work?
Maqui berries or juice are usually used. The berries and juice contain chemicals that act as antioxidants, which are thought to protect body cells from damage.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Weight loss.
- Diabetes.
- Cancer.
- Cardiovascular disease.
- Fatigue.
- Increasing energy and stamina.
- Other conditions.
There is not enough information to know if maqui is safe. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, it's best to stay on the safe side and avoid use.
**SpecialPrecautions**
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerMedications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Maqui might lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking maqui along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
The appropriate dose of maqui depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for maqui. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Escribano-Bailón MT, Alcalde-Eon C, Muñoz O, et al. Anthocyanins in berries of Maqui (Aristotelia chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz). Phytochem Anal 2006;17:8-14. View abstract.
Miranda-Rottmann S, Aspillaga AA, Pérez DD, et al. Juice and phenolic fractions of the berry Aristotelia chilensis inhibit LDL oxidation in vitro and protect human endothelial cells against oxidative stress. J Agric Food Chem 2002;50:7542-7. View abstract.
Rubilar M, Jara C, Poo Y, et al. Extracts of maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) and murta (Ugni molinae Turcz.): sources of antioxidant compounds and alpha-glucosidase/alpha-amylase inhibitors. J Agric Food Chem 2011;59:1630-7. View abstract.
Ruiz A, Hermosín-Gutiérrez I, Mardones C, et al. Polyphenols and antioxidant activity of calafate ( Berberis microphylla ) fruits and other native berries from Southern Chile. J Agric Food Chem 2010;58:6081-9. View abstract.
Suwalsky M, Vargas P, Avello M, et al. Human erythrocytes are affected in vitro by flavonoids of Aristotelia chilensis (Maqui) leaves. Int J Pharm 2008;363:85-90. View abstract.