Carqueja tea is an herbal drink made from the stems of Baccharis trimera, a medicinal plant traditionally used as a home remedy. It is commonly associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic effects that may support blood pressure, blood sugar balance, and digestion.
Carqueja tea is most often prepared as an infusion, but it can also be found in capsule form in natural health stores. Its use is linked to several potential benefits, including digestive support, fluid balance, liver health, and immune function.
Despite its traditional use, carqueja tea may cause side effects when consumed in excess or by certain groups. Always consult a healthcare professional before use. This is especially important for people with diabetes or high blood pressure and those who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Health benefits
Carqueja has medicinal properties that may be used to:
1. Help control blood sugar
Carqueja may help control blood sugar because it contains flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, which may support how the body uses glucose.
These compounds may enhance insulin activity, slow down sugar absorption in the intestines, and protect the pancreas from damage. As a result, carqueja could help naturally lower blood glucose levels.
2. Lower blood pressure
Carqueja may help lower blood pressure due to its diuretic effect, which helps the body get rid of excess fluid. This can reduce blood volume in the vessels and lessen the workload on the heart.
It may also help lower blood pressure by providing antioxidants that relax blood vessels and reduce fat buildup in the arteries.
3. Fight fluid retention
Because of its diuretic effect, linked to flavonoids and phenolic compounds like caffeic and chlorogenic acids, carqueja may promote increased urine production, helping to reduce swelling and water retention.
4. Strengthen the immune system
Carqueja may help support the immune system because its flavonoids and phenolic acids act as antioxidants. These antioxidants help protect cells from free radicals and may be useful as support during colds and flu, for example.
5. Improve liver function
The flavonoids and phenolic acids in carqueja are antioxidants that may help protect liver cells. They may also stimulate bile production and support toxin elimination, contributing to liver detox.
6. Lower bad cholesterol
The saponins in carqueja may help lower levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Saponins may also increase the amount of cholesterol eliminated through stool.
7. Help fight inflammation
Carqueja is rich in flavonoids such as rutin, luteolin, and apigenin, which can have strong anti-inflammatory effects. They may reduce the production of inflammatory substances like prostaglandins and cytokines.
Because of this, carqueja may be helpful as support in treating inflammation in the throat (such as tonsillitis), stomach (such as gastritis or ulcers), and intestines (such as gastroenteritis), for example.
8. Support digestive health
Carqueja may support digestion by stimulating the production of gastric juices, which can make digestion easier and may be useful in gastritis.
It may also help ease discomfort such as indigestion, gas, and a heavy feeling in the stomach. In addition, tannin compounds in the plant may have healing and antiseptic effects, supporting mucosal repair and helping prevent infections.
9. Help with weight loss
Carqueja contains flavonoids plus caffeic and chlorogenic acids with antioxidant and diuretic properties, which may help reduce fluid-related bloating, especially when used as a tincture.
Caffeic acid may also have a thermogenic effect, which could contribute to a higher metabolism. However, there is no strong scientific evidence that carqueja causes significant weight loss.
10. Fight intestinal parasites
Carqueja contains essential oils and other compounds with potential antiparasitic activity against parasites like Schistosoma mansoni, the cause of schistosomiasis.
According to the CDC, schistosomiasis is caused by Schistosoma species whose life cycle involves certain freshwater snails. These compounds may disrupt parasite reproduction and kill the snail vector Biomphalaria glabrata.
However, these effects have mainly been seen in laboratory studies, without strong evidence in humans.
How to make
Carqueja tea is quick to prepare and is commonly used for its potential health benefits.
Ingredients:
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2 tablespoons of carqueja stems;
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1 liter of boiling water.
Directions:
Add the carqueja stems to boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 cups per day
Another way to use carqueja for its potential benefits is by taking carqueja capsules. A common suggestion is 1 capsule of 300 mg, 1 to 3 times per day.
Side effects
The most common side effects of carqueja tend to happen when it is used in excess, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. This is because it may lower blood sugar too much (leading to hypoglycemia) or make blood pressure harder to manage.
Carqueja may also stimulate uterine contractions and, in some cases, cause miscarriage. For this reason, people who are trying to become pregnant should confirm whether they are pregnant before using this plant.
Contraindications for use
Carqueja should not be used by children, pregnant people, or those who are breastfeeding. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who are considering giving supplements to children, should talk with a healthcare professional before using dietary supplements.
It’s important to emphasize that carqueja should be used with guidance from a healthcare professional with specific training in medicinal plants, such as a qualified herbal medicine specialist.