Raintree Nutrition's Concentrated Carqueja Extract uses new and proprietary extraction methods to concentrate and preserve the active ingredients found in this wonderful plant. Concentration and extraction methods provide the equivalent of 500 mg carqueja leaf and stem (Baccharis genistelloides) per milliliter of extract. Carqueja is a rich source of flavonoids. Certain flavonoids, such as silymarin in milk thistle, have shown liver-protective properties and are used for many liver conditions in herbal medicine systems. Carqueja is rather like the South American version of milk thistle. It contains up to 20% flavonoids, including quercetin, luteolin, nepetin, apigenin, and hispidulin. The flavonoids are considered carqueja's main active constituents. Carqueja is a Brazilian plant (cataloged by several botanical names including Baccharis genistelloides, B. triptera, B. trinervis, and B. trimera). It has a long history of use as a natural digestive aid and liver-supporting aid in Brazilian herbal medicine.