PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS

Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie,

Pharmakologie. 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.

Willaman JJ. Hui-Li L, (1970) Lloydia 33(3A):1.

Brassica napus

See Oilseed Rape

Brassica nigra

See Black Mustard

Brassica oleracea

See Cabbage

* Brassica rapa

See Wild Turnip

Brazilian Pepper Tree

Schinus terebinthifolius

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: Medicinal properties have been attributed

to the bark, leaves, fruit and seeds.

Flower and Fnut: The flowers are in panicles up to 15 cm

long. The flowers are small, ivory white to greenish, and the

structures are in five. The calyx is 5-tipped. There are 5

petals, 10 stamens and a superior ovary developing from a

single carpel and a style in 3 sections. The fruit is a bright

pink to red, glossy, single-drupe with a diameter of

approximately 5 mm, a thin pergament-like exocarp, an oleo-

resin-rich mesocarp and a hard endocarp.

4& Leaves, Stem and Root: The leaves are alternate, up to 40 cm
long, odd pinnate, with 7 to 13 leaflets up to 8 cm long, 1 to
2 cm wide, sessile, elongate, glossy, finely serrate or jagged-
edged. The branches do not hang down.

Characteristics: The fruit is aromatic and sweetish.

Habitat: Indigenous to Central America and South America.

Production: Brazilian peppers (Pink peppers) are the ripe

unpeeled seeds of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, which are

BRAZILIAN PEPPER TREE/117

harvested in winter (May to August) and then air- or freeze-

dried.

Other Names: Christmas-Berry Tree, Florida Holly

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Volatile oil (2.0 to W.0%): chief components including

limonene, alpha-phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, alpha-pi-

nene, beta-pinene, including as well p-cymol, sabinene,

terpinolene, in some chemical varieties up to 50% delta3-

carene

Alkyl phenols (0.1%): cardanols, cardols, 2-methyl

cardolenes

Fatty oil (in the seeds 20 to 60%)

Flavonoids: including biflavonoids, for example

amentoflavone

Triterpenes: masticadienonic acid, 3-epimasticadienonic acid

EFFECTS

The "antibiotic activity" with which the drug is credited has

not yet been proven. Its use on wounds and inflammatory

alterations of the skin appears plausible, due to the antimi-

crobial, astringent and anti-inflammatory characteristics of

the gallic acid it contains.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Unproven Uses: Internal folk medicine uses have included

treatment of tumors and as a diuretic. In Brazil, a liquid

extract and tincture are prepared from the bark and used

internally as a stimulant, tonic and astringent, and externally

for rheumatism, gout and syphilis. The leaf and fruit have

been added to baths for wounds and ulcers. (Hager, 1949.)

The effect seems plausible due to the gallic acid content but

has not yet been sufficiently clinically proven.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages, although

there is some danger of sensitization (alkyl phenols).

Sensitizations occur particularly frequently in North Ameri-

ca. Stomach upset and vomiting have been observed

following the ingestion of a number of the fruits.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Should not be administered to individuals with a pre-existing

sensitivity to alkyl phenols.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Whole drug, tincture and extract for

internal and external use.

Daily Dosage: There is no information in the literature.