Carqueja: Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage

Carqueja (Baccharis trimera) is a traditional South American medicinal plant, widely celebrated in folk medicine for its diverse range of health benefits. From liver protection to digestive support, modern research is beginning to validate many of carqueja’s popular uses. However, as with any herbal remedy, it’s important to understand not only the potential benefits but also the possible side effects and the best ways to use it safely. This article takes a comprehensive look at carqueja, synthesizing the latest research findings to give you a clear, evidence-based picture.

Benefits of Carqueja

Carqueja has long been revered in Brazil and other parts of South America as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Recent scientific studies have begun to shed light on the specific therapeutic properties of this plant, confirming its traditional uses and revealing some new possibilities.

Benefit	Effect/Mechanism	Health Targets	Sources
Antioxidant	Reduces oxidative stress	Neuroprotection, general health	2
Hepatoprotective	Lowers liver enzymes, reduces fat	Liver diseases, NAFLD	1 5 8
Gastroprotective	Promotes ulcer healing	Stomach/gastric ulcers	4
Antimutagenic	Flavonoid-mediated DNA protection	Cellular health, cancer prevention	1 2
Anti-inflammatory	Reduces inflammation	General, chronic conditions	2
Antidiabetic	Lowers blood sugar	Diabetes, metabolic health	2 5
Analgesic	Pain relief	Various pain conditions	2

Table 1: Key Benefits of Carqueja

Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects

Carqueja contains a rich array of flavonoids and other phytochemicals that act as potent antioxidants. In preclinical studies, extracts of carqueja have been shown to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve survival under oxidative stress conditions. Notably, in a model of Alzheimer’s disease using Caenorhabditis elegans, carqueja extract increased resistance to β-amyloid toxicity—a hallmark of neurodegeneration. These effects were partially attributed to increased proteasome activity and the induction of heat shock proteins, which help protect cells from stress 2.

Liver Protection and Hepatoprotective Activity

One of the most well-documented traditional uses of carqueja is for liver health. Modern studies support its ability to protect the liver from a variety of insults:

• Reduces liver enzymes (ALT, AST): Lower levels indicate reduced liver damage 5 8.
• Decreases hepatic fat accumulation: Especially relevant for conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) 5.
• Restores normal liver histology: In animal models exposed to multiple risk factors, carqueja improved liver tissue structure 5.

The hepatoprotective effects appear linked to a combination of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering actions.

Gastroprotective and Digestive Benefits

Carqueja is traditionally used to treat digestive complaints and gastric ulcers. Scientific evidence demonstrates:

• Accelerated ulcer healing: Essential oil from carqueja (EOBT) significantly reduced the size and severity of gastric lesions in rats 4.
• Reduced gastric inflammation: Marked by decreased myeloperoxidase activity in gastric tissue 4.
• Enhanced tissue repair: Increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) promoted mucosal recovery 4.

Antimutagenic and DNA-Protective Actions

Carqueja is rich in specific flavonoids (genkwanin, cirsimaritin, hispidulin, and apigenin) that have been shown to reduce the mutagenicity of harmful compounds in laboratory models. These antimutagenic effects may play a role in cancer prevention and general cellular health 1 2.

Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antidiabetic Properties

• Anti-inflammatory: Carqueja extracts reduce inflammatory markers and may help manage chronic inflammatory conditions 2.
• Analgesic: Some studies report pain-relieving effects, aligning with traditional uses 2.
• Antidiabetic: Carqueja has demonstrated blood glucose-lowering effects, improving markers of metabolic health in animal models 2 5.

Side Effects of Carqueja

While carqueja is generally regarded as safe in traditional use, scientific investigations have begun to map out its safety profile and potential side effects. Here’s what the research says.

Side Effect	Severity	Notes/Population	Sources
Cardiovascular	Moderate	QT interval prolongation in healthy rats; not in diabetic rats	7
Liver toxicity	Low/None	No evidence of liver toxicity; may even protect liver	6 8
Acute toxicity	Low/None	No signs of acute toxicity in rats (high doses)	6 8
Chronic toxicity	Low/None	No adverse effects after 28-30 days of use	6 8

Table 2: Main Side Effects and Safety Findings

Cardiovascular Safety

One notable side effect observed in animal studies was related to heart rhythm:

• Ventricular repolarization disorder: Chronic administration of carqueja essential oil led to prolongation of the QT interval (a marker of arrhythmia risk) in healthy rats. Interestingly, this effect was not seen in diabetic rats 7.
• Implications: While this finding is from animal studies, it suggests caution for those with pre-existing heart conditions or those taking other medications that affect heart rhythm.

Liver and Kidney Safety

Contrary to many herbal remedies that can stress the liver or kidneys, carqueja appears to be very safe for these organs:

• No hepatic or renal toxicity: Even at high doses (up to 2000 mg/kg) and with long-term use (28-30 days), no signs of liver or kidney damage were observed in rats 6 8.
• Liver enzyme reduction: Instead of increasing markers of liver damage, carqueja actually lowered ALT and AST in animal studies, aligning with its hepatoprotective profile 5 8.

General and Chronic Toxicity

• No significant hematological or biochemical changes: Repeated use of carqueja infusions or tinctures did not cause changes in blood counts, lipid profiles, or other key laboratory parameters 6 8.
• No acute toxicity signs: No mortality or acute adverse effects were reported, even at high single doses 8.

Other Considerations

• Limited human data: Most safety findings come from animal studies; robust human clinical trials are still lacking.
• Essential oil vs. infusion: Adverse effects (like QT prolongation) have been linked to the essential oil, not the more commonly used water-based infusions or tinctures.

Dosage of Carqueja

Determining the right dose of carqueja depends on the preparation (infusion, tincture, essential oil) and the intended purpose. While traditional use provides some guidance, research studies offer more precise dosing insights.

Preparation Type	Dose (Animal Studies)	Notes/Duration	Sources
Infusion	Not specified; traditional use	No toxicity at regular folk doses	6
Tincture	100–400 mg/kg/day	No toxicity over 28 days	8
Ethanolic Extract	30–300 mg/kg/day	Effective for liver protection	5
Essential Oil	50–200 mg/kg/day	Effective for ulcers; monitor for heart effects	4 7

Table 3: Carqueja Dosage in Research Studies

Traditional Dosage and Preparation

• Infusion (tea): The most common traditional method is to steep dried carqueja stems/leaves in hot water, consumed one to three times per day 6.
• Tincture: Alcoholic extracts are sometimes used, typically diluted in water.

Note: Exact traditional dosages are rarely standardized, and amounts may vary based on local practice and individual tolerance.

Research-Based Dosage

Animal studies provide a useful reference point, though human doses would be lower after adjusting for body weight:

• Liver protection: Doses of 30–300 mg/kg/day (ethanolic extract) effectively reduced liver enzymes and fat in rats 5.
• Gastric ulcer healing: Essential oil at 50–200 mg/kg/day promoted healing without observed toxicity in rats 4.
• Safety: Even at 2000 mg/kg (single dose, tincture form), no acute toxicity was observed 8. Chronic use of 100–400 mg/kg/day for 28–30 days was also safe 6 8.

Practical Guidance for Humans

• Start low: Begin with a weak infusion or small amount of tincture to assess tolerance.
• Monitor for symptoms: Especially if you have a heart condition or take medications affecting heart rhythm.
• Consult a healthcare provider: Particularly important for those with chronic conditions, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or if using essential oil preparations.

Conclusion

Carqueja is a promising medicinal plant with a growing body of scientific support. Here’s a recap of what we’ve covered:

• Carqueja offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antimutagenic, and antidiabetic benefits, many of which support its traditional uses 1 2 4 5.
• Safety studies show that carqueja is generally well-tolerated, with low to no toxicity at commonly used doses; however, essential oil use may pose a heart rhythm risk in healthy individuals 6 7 8.
• Optimal dosage varies by preparation; infusions and tinctures seem safest, with animal studies supporting effective and non-toxic doses 5 6 8.
• Most research is preclinical, so human studies are needed to confirm these findings.
• Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new herbal remedy, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are on medication.

Carqueja continues to bridge the gap between folk wisdom and modern science, offering a natural option for those seeking holistic health support. As research progresses, its full potential—and optimal use—will become even clearer.