Aguaje known as Buriti in Peru is grown on a tree called the Mauritia Flexuosa, also known as the moriche palm. Aguaje is an oval-shaped fruit no larger than the average fig. It is an elegant tree which can reach up to 35 metres in height.
The large leaves form a rounded crown. The flowers are yellowish, and appear from December to April.
The fruit, which grows from December to June, is a chestnut colour and is covered with shiny scales. The yellow flesh covers a hard, oval, nut.
The aguaje fruit must not be consumed in excess. It is therefore recommended to not exceed 3 to 5 units of raw fruit. Also, you should always procure that the fruit itself is well treated and cleaned off from impurities.
One of aguaje’s benefits is hormone balance. Women, therefore, have said consuming aguaje has allowed them to balance oestrogen, remedying issues such as menopause and infertility.
This fruit offers many other benefits; it has five times as much carotenoids as carrots, which help maintain healthy bones, teeth, soft tissues, mucous membranes and skin as well as good eyesight. Aguaje is also high in vitamin C, and the emollient vitamin E, which nourishes skin.
In addition to these benefits, buriti also has a natural anti-inflammatory reaction that can tame redness and calm skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
It is also deeply hydrating, and can help reduce the dryness of winter and mature skin, producing a suppler, softer look and feel.
Buriti fruit is rich in oil that is normally used in cosmetics especially for skin care; it also contains Phytoestrogens and oleic acids which are important in human nutrition.
The fruits of aguaje have high amounts of vitamin A which cannot be produced by the human body itself and as such can protect the body from various deficiency.