Send a Friend this page!
Go Back  or Go Forward
Navigation
 
BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Schinus
Species: molle
Common Names: Brazilian Peppertree, Aroeira, Escobilla, Peruvian Peppertree, Peruvian Mastic Tree, California Peppertree, Mastic-Tree, Aroeira Salsa, Aguaribay, American Pepper, Anacahuita, Castilla, False Pepper, Gualeguay, Jesuit's Balsam, Molle Del Peru, Mulli, Pepper Tree, Pimentero, Pimientillo, Pirul
DESCRIPTION
Properties/Actions:
 Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Balsamic, Cytotoxic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Purgative, Stomachic, Tonic, Uterine Stimulant, Vulnerary
Phytochemicals:
a-Amyrin, Behenic Acid, A-Bergamont-trans-ene, Bourbonene, d-Cadinene, a-Cadinol, d-Cadinol, t-Cadinol, a-Calacorene, g-Calacorene, iso-Calamenediol, Calamenene, Calcium, Camphene, Car-3-ene, Carvacrol, b-Caryophyllene, Cerotic Acid, a-Copaene, Croweacin, a-Cubebene, para-Cymene, b-Elemene, Elemol, b-Elemonic acid, a-Eudesmol, b-Eudesmol, g-Eudesmol, Fisetin, Gallic Acid, Geraniol Butyrate, Germacrene D, b-Guaiene, a-Gurjunene, Heptacosanoic acid, a-Humulene, Laccase, Lignoceric acid, Limonene, (+)Limonene, Linoleic Acid, dihydro-Malvalic acid, iso-Masticadienoic acid, 3-epi-Iso-Masticadienolalic acid, iso-Masticadienolic acid, Menth-cis-2-en-1-ol, a-Muurolene, g-Muurolene, t-Muurolol, Myrcene, Nerol hexanoate, Octacosanoic acid, Octanoic Acid Methyl Ester, Oleic acid, Palmitic acid, Pentacosanoic acid, Pentan-1-ol,3-methyl, Peroxidase, a-Phellandrene, b-Phellandrene, ortho-ethyl Phenol, Pinene, a-Pinene, b-Pinene, Piperine, trans-Piperitol, Protocatechuic acid, Quercetin, Quercetrin, Quercitrin, iso-Quercitrin, Raffinose, Rutin, Sabinene, b-Sitosterol, b-Spathulene, Tannin, a-Terpinene, g-Terpinene, a-Terpineol, Terpinolene, Tricosanoic acid, Cyanidin-3-o-alpha-l-galactoside, Peonidin-3-o-beta-d-glucoside
Traditional Remedy:
 One-half cup dried bark or seed decoction 1-2 times daily or 1-2 ml of a 4:1 tincture 1-2 times daily. 1-2 grams of powdered bark in tablets or capsules daily can be substituted if desired. See Traditional Herbal Remedies Preparation Methods page if necessary for definitions.
ETHNOBOTANY: WORLDWIDE USES
Argentina
 Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea, Emmenagogue, Menstrual Disorders, Respiratory Tract Infections, Urinary Tract Infections
Brazil
 Astringent, Balsamic, Blenorrhagia, Bronchitis, Cough, Cystitis, Urethritis, Diarrhea, Fever, Inflammation, Purgative, Respiratory Tract Disorders, Stimulant, Tonic, Tumor, Urinary Tract Disorders
Columbia
 Diarrhea, hemoptysis, rheumatism
Elsewhere
 Amenorrhea, Bronchitis, Diuretic, Dysmenorrhea, Edema, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Eye, Gingivitis, Hypertension, Gout, Piscicide, Poison, Purgative, Rheumatism, Sore Schinus, Stomachic, Swelling, Urogenital, Venereal, Viricide
La
 Masticatory, Purgative, Spice, Tea
Mexico
 Aposteme, Asthma, Astringent, Balsamic, Blennorrhagia, Bronchitis, Cataract, Colic, Collyrium, Conjuntivitis, Cough, Digestive Disorders, Foot, Gonorrhea, Gripe, Gum, Liqueur, Masticatory, Mouth, Ophthalmia, Preventitive, Purgative, Rheumatism, Sore, Stomachache, Toothache, Tuberculosis, Tumor, Ulcer, Urogenital, Venereal, Vulnerary, Wound
Paraguay
 Blennorrhagia, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Sore, Urethritis, Wound
Peru
 Antiseptic, Cicatrizant, Diuretic, Fractures, Purgative, Rheumatism, Toothache, Tumor, Wart
So. Africa
 Arrhythmia, Antidepressant, Colds, Gout, Hypertension, Rheumatism
Turkey
 Diuretic, Expectorant, Gonorrhea, Masticatory, Purgative, Stomachic, Tonic
Uruguay
 Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
Brazilian Peppertree is a medium to small shrubby tree growing 4-8 meters in height with a trunk 25-35 cm in diameter and narrow spiky leaves. It produces an abundance small flowers formed in panicles, then bears a great many small flesh-colored berry-like fruits in December and January. It is indigenous to South and Central America and can be found in semi-tropical and tropical parts of the United States.
Virtually all parts of this tropical tree has been used medicinally throughout the tropics including its leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, resin and oleoresin or balsam. It has an ancient history of use and the plant shows up in ancient religious artifacts or idols among some of the Chilean Amerindians.(1) All parts of the tree have a high oil and essential oil content which produces a spicy aromatic scent. The leaves of Brazilian Peppertree have such a high oil content that leaf pieces jerk and twist when placed in hot water as the oil is released. The berries have a peppery flavor and have been used in syrups, vinegar and beverages in Peru, in Chilean wines, and are dried and ground up for a pepper substitute in Africa.(1) The dried fruits have even been used as an adulterant of black pepper in some countries. The tree also produces an resin and oleoresin or balsam which is used medicinally.
Brazilian Peppertree has a long history of uses throughout South and Central America and is reported to be astringent, balsamic, collyrium, diuretic, emmenagogue, masticatory, piscicide, purgative, stomachic, tonic, antiviral and vulnerary.(1) Its uses by indigenous peoples in the countries where it grows are well documented. In Peru the sap is used as a purgative and diuretic,(2) and the entire plant is used externally for fractures and as a topical antiseptic.(3) The oleoresin in Peru is used externally as a cicatrizant and for toothaches and taken internally for rheumatism, a folk disease called "Suto," and as a purgative.(4) In South Africa, a leaf tea is used to treat colds, and a leaf decoction is inhaled for colds, hypertension, depression, and arrhythmia.(5) In the Brazilian Amazon, a bark tea is used as a purgative(6) and a bark and leaf tea is used as a stimulant and antidepressant.(7) In Argentina, a decoction is made with the dried leaves and is taken for menstrual disorders,(8) as well as respiratory and urinary tract infections and disorders.(9)
Brazilian Peppertree is still employed in herbal medicine today in many countries. It is used for many conditions in the tropics including, amenorrhea, apostemes, blenorrhagia, bronchitis, cataracts, dysmenorrhea, gingivitis, gonorrhea, gout, ophthalmia, rheumatism, sores, swellings, tuberculosis, ulcers, urethritis, urogenital and venereal disorders, warts and wounds.(1, 10-12) In Brazilian herbal medicine today, the dried bark or leaves are employed for fevers, urinary tract disorders and pain, cystitis, urethritis, blenorrhagia, coughs, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory problems, gripe, diarrhea, hemorrhages and menstrual disorders with excessive bleeding, tumors, and general inflammation.(13, 14)
Phytochemical analysis of Brazilian Peppertree reveals that the plant contain tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroidal saponins, sterols, terpenes, gums, resins, and essential oils.(15-17) The essential oil, present in the leaves, bark and fruit, are a rich source of triterpenes, sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes and many of the plant's documented biological activities are attributed to the essential oils found in the plant. The fruit can contain up to 5% essential oil and the leaves can contain up to 2% essential oil.(12, 15, 16) In laboratory tests, the essential oil as well as a leaf extract demonstrated good to very strong antifungal actions against numerous fungi and even candida in vitro.(18-20) The essential oil and leaves have clinically demonstrated in vitro antibacterial and antimicrobial activity against numerous bacteria and pathogens in several studies.(19-21) In much earlier in vitro tests, a leaf extract of Brazilian Peppertree demonstrated antiviral actions against several plant viruses(22) and was shown to be cytotoxic against 9kb cancer cells.(23)
Several research groups have conducted animal studies over the years on Brazilian Peppertree which has substantiated some of its many traditional uses in herbal medicine. A fruit extract and a leaf extract were shown to produce an hypotensive activity in dogs and rats,(24, 25) as well as uterine stimulant activity in guinea pigs and rabbits.(25, 26) Most recently, leaf extracts tested by other researchers between 1996 and 1997 demonstrated analgesic activity in mice(27) and antispasmodic properties in rats.(28) The essential oil was also shown to be an effective insect repellant against the common housefly in 1996.(29)
Today, herbalists and natural health practitioners in both North and South America use Brazilian Peppertree mostly for viral and bacterial infections like colds, flu, asthma, bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections, as an aid to help lower high blood pressure, and as a female balancing herb for numerous menstrual disorders, menstrual cramps, PMS and menopause.
Foot notes:
  1. Duke, JA, 1985. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs 1985. Ed. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL

  2. Kramer, F. L. 1957. The Pepper Tree Schinus Molle. Econ Bot 11 : 322-326 (1957)

  3. Yelasco-Negueruela, A., 1995., Medicinal Plants from Pampallakta: an Andean Community in Cuzco (Peru). Fitoterapia 66 5: 447-462 (1995)

  4. Ramirez, V. R. et.al., 1988. Vegetales Empleados En Medicina Tradicional NorperuanaBanco Agrario Del Peru & Nacl Univ Trujillo, Trujillo, Peru, June, 1988 : 54pp- (1988)

  5. Bhat, R. B. et.al., 1995. Traditional Herbal Medicine in Transkei. J Ethnopharmacol 48 1: 7-12 (1995)

  6. Burkill,IH., 1966. Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Volume II.

  7. Elisabetsky, E., et al., 1992. Traditional Amazonian Nerve Tonics as Antidepressant Agents: Chaunochiton Kappleri: a Case Study. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 1 1/2: 125-162 (1992)

  8. Gonzalez, F., et.al., 1987. A Survey of Plants with Antifertility Properties Described in the South American Folk Medicine Abstr Princess Congress I Bangkok Thailand 10-13 December 1987 : 20pp-. (1987)

  9. Perez, C., et.al., 1994. Inhibition of Pseudomonas Aerguinosa by Argentinean Medicinal Plants. Fitoterapia 65 2: 169-172 (1994)

  10. Hartwell, J.L., 1971. Plant used againt canter. A survey. Lloydia, p.30, 1967-1971.

  11. Duke, JA, & Wain, KK 1981. Medicinal Plants of the World, Computer index, 85,000 entries, 3 vols., 1981. 1654

  12. List, PH and Horhammer, L., 1979. Hager's Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, Vols. 2 to 6., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany 1969-1979.

  13. Cruz, G.L. 1995. Dicionario Das Plantas Uteis Do Brasil, 5th ed., Bertrand: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  14. Coimbra, Raul, 1994. Manual de Fitoterapia 2nd Ed., Editora Cejup: Belem, Brazil.

  15. Terhune, S., et.al., 1974. B-spathulene: a new sesquiterpene in Schinus molle oil, Phytochemistry, 13, 865(1973)

  16. Dominguez, X., et.al., 1970. A Chemical Survey of Seventeen Medicinal Mexican Plants. Planta Med 18 : 51- (1970)

  17. Pozzo-Balbi, T., et.al., 1978. The Triterpenoid Acids of Schinus molle. Phytochemistry17 : 2107-2110 (1978)

  18. Dikshit A, 1986 Schinus molle: a new source of natural fungitoxicant. Appl Environ Microbiol 51(5), 1085-1088 (1986)

  19. L-Keltawi, N. et.al., 1980. Antimicrobial Activity of Some Egyptian Aromatic Plants.Herba Pol 26 4: 245-250 (1980)

  20. Gundidza, M., et.al., 1993. Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil from Schinus molle Linn. Central Africian J Med 39 11: 231-234 (1993)

  21. Ross, S., et.al., 1980. Antimicrobial Activity of Some Egyptian Aromatic Plants. Fitoterapia 51 : 201-205 (1980)

  22. Simons, J., et.al., 1963. Succulent-type as Sources of Plant Virus Inhibitors. Phytopathology 53 : 677-683 (1963)

  23. Bhakuni, D., et.al., 1976 Screening of Chilean Plants for Anticancer Activity. I. Lloydia39 4: 225-243 (1976)

  24. Bello, R. et.al., 1996. Effects on Arterial Blood Pressure of the Methanol and Dichloromethanol Extracts from Schinus molle L. in Rats. Phytother Res 10 7: 634-635 (1996)

  25. Zaidi, S. et.al., 1970. Some Preliminary Studies of the Pharmacological Activities of Schinus molle. Pak J Sci Ind Res 13 : 53- (1970)

  26. Moreno, M. 1922. Action of Several Popular Medicaments on the Isolated Uterus. C R Seances Soc Biol Ses Fil 87 : 563-564 (1922)

  27. Barrachina, M., 1997. Analgesic and Central Depressor Effects of the Dichloromethanol Extract from Schinus molle L. Phytother Res 11 4: 317-319 (1997)

  28. Bello, R., et.al, 1996. Effects on Arterial Blood Pressure of the Methanol and Dichloromethanol Extracts from Schinus molle L. in Rats. Phytother Res 10 7: 634-635 (1996)

  29. Wimalaratne, P., et.al., 1996. Isolation and Identification of House Fly, Musca domestica L., Repellents from Pepper Tree, Schinus molle L J Chem Ecol 22 1: 49-59 (1996)
Clinical Abstracts
Antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Schinus molle Linn.
Gundidza M
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zimbabwe, Harare.
Cent Afr J Med 1993 Nov;39(11):231-234
The essential oil from the fresh leaves of Schinus molle isolated by hydrodistillation was tested for antibacterial activity using the hole plate diffusion method and for antifungal activity using the mycelium or single cell growth inhibition method. Results obtained showed that the volatile oil exhibited significant activity against the following bacterial species: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Alcaligenes faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Leuconostoc cremoris, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Clostridium sporogenes, Acinetobacter calcoacetica, Escherichia coli, Beneckea natriegens, Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens, Bacillus subtilis and Brochothrix thermosphacata. The fungal species Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium culmorum and Alternaria alternata exhibited significant sensitivity to the volatile oil.
Schinus molle: a new source of natural fungitoxicant.
Dikshit A, Naqvi AA, Husain A
Appl Environ Microbiol 1986 May;51(5):1085-1088
The oil of Schinus molle exhibited the maximum fungitoxic activity during the screening of some essential oils against some common storage and animal pathogenic fungi. It showed absolute toxicity against animal pathogens and mild activity against storage fungi. The effective concentrations of the oil varied from 200 to 900 ppm. The toxicity of the oil persisted up to 80 degrees C and 90 days of storage but declined when autoclaved. It withstood heavy inoculum density. The oil exhibited a narrow range of activity and was found to be more effective than Multifungin, an antifungal drug. The oil was characterized by its various physicochemical properties. It was found to comprise 50 constituents. It appeared that some changes in the oil constituents during storage affected its fungitoxic potency.
Copyright © r.t. goods