Arrayán is an evergreen tree native to temperate rainforests of southern Chile and Argentina. It has smooth cinnamon‑colored, peeling bark and small, glossy leaves that release an aromatic scent when crushed. It produces abundant white, myrtle‑like flowers followed by small, dark purple berries known as Arrayán, which are wildlife and human foods.
Arrayán has multiple use: its extremely hard, dense wood is valued for durable tools, posts, and fine carpentry; the bark and leaves, rich in tannins and polyphenols, have been employed locally for tanning and as natural dyes, imparting brownish tones to textiles; and the sweet, aromatic berries are eaten fresh, made into jams, liqueurs, and traditional beverages, while also serving as a minor source of natural colorants and flavorings.
Arrayán is also enjoyed as an ornamental, with its display of striking bark and tolerance of pruning for hedges, shelterbelts, and landscape design, and the flowers are important for native pollinators and honey production.
In Mapuche (the most numerous group of Indigenous people in South America) and local herbalism, the leaves and young shoots are decocted or infused to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and general digestive disturbances. They are also used as an antiseptic wash for wounds and skin infections, and internally as a stimulant and diuretic, sometimes considered antiscorbutic due to their vitamin C–rich profile. In some Mapuche accounts, foam formation when washing the plant in water carries a diagnostic and prognostic role, illustrating how its medicinal use intertwines with symbolic and ritual aspects of healing.
Through scientific investigation, Arrayán has been found to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial (including anti‑Staphylococcus aureus and anti‑Pseudomonas aeruginosa), antiplatelet/antithrombotic, and potential cardiometabolic protective effects related to its rich phenolic and proanthocyanidin content.
➡️ One study on Arrayán berries characterized their development and health potential, showing that ripe fruits accumulate high levels of phenolic compounds (especially flavanols and proanthocyanidins) with strong in vitro antioxidant capacity and promising effects on markers linked to cardiometabolic health. Another with a focus on Mapuche medicinal plants demonstrated that an aqueous extract of Arrayán significantly inhibited human blood platelet aggregation, supporting its traditional use in inflammatory and circulatory conditions.
Arrayán: Patagonian Superfruit 💪 🫐
