Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) is a shrub or small tree. Its fruit is similar to cherry and is a red color when ripe. It is a rich source of vitamin C.
People use it for medicine. Acerola is used to treat or prevent scurvy, a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. Acerola is also used for preventing heart disease, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), blood clots, and cancer. Acerola contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. There is some concern that antioxidants might decrease the effects of medications used for cancer.
Acerola is considered a 'superfood' thanks to its very high vitamin C content. Because it is a richer source of vitamin C than any other plant, it provides a host of health and beauty benefits-- for example, it's used to ward off colds.