PDR for Herbal Medicines

140 /CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Characteristics: The leaves give off a pepper-like smell

when rubbed; the fruit is aromatic and somewhat sweet.

Habitat: The tree is indigenous to Central America and

South America.

Production: California Peppertree (or Peruvian Peppertree)

leaves are the leaflets of Schinus molle. California Pepper-

tree fruits are ripe unpeeled drupes of Schinus mollek, which

are air- or freeze-dried.

Not to be Confused With: Other Schinus species.

Other Names: Australian Pepper Tree, Brazilian Pepper

Tree, False Pepper, Peruvian Mastix Tree, Peruvian Pepper-

tree, Weeping Pepper Tree

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE LEAVES

Volatile oil (0.2 to 1.0%): chief components including alpha-

phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, limonene, including as well

T-cadinol, elemol, germacrene D, gamma-eudesmol

Flavonoids: including kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin

Resins
Mucilages
EFFECTS: CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE LEAVES
The leaves contain unknown bitter substances and tannins,
which make administration for inflammatory alterations of
the skin and oral mucous membranes plausible.
COMPOUNDS: CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE FRUIT
Volatile oil (2.0 to 5.0%): chief components including alpha-
phellandrene, beta-phellandrene, limonene, alpha-pinene,
beta-pinene, including as well camphene, carvacrol, p-cy-
mol, 4-ethyl phenol
Triterpenes: including 3-epiisomasticadienolalic acid, 3-epi-
masticadienolic acid, isomasticadienonic acid, masticadien-
onic acid
Fatty oil (in the seeds 6 to 14%)
Resins (with long-chained fatty acids, C22 to C28)
EFFECTS: CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE FRUIT
The fruit resin is purgative in effect. The essential oil is
fungicidal and is said to be excreted primarily through the
lungs and the kidneys. No experimental data are available for
the traditional areas of administration.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE LEAVES
Unproven Uses: Internal uses in folk medicine include
infections of the pharynx, respiratory tract conditions,
rheumatism (decoction), for leucorrhea, suppuration of the
mucous membranes and hypertension (infusion), for swell-

ings, loss of teeth, conjunctivitis (leaf juice), and as a

diuretic. External indications are considered to include uterus

prolapse, eye inflammations, joint pains, colds (used as

healing baths), as a vulnerary and for rheumatism.

CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE FRUIT

Unproven Uses: Used internally as a stomachic, tonic, for

nausea, vomiting, anuria, gastric complaints, loss of appetite,

conditions of the respiratory tract, blennorrhagia, for muscu-

lar pain and as a diuretic. Preparations from the fruit are used

externally for rheumatism.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE LEAVES AND FRUIT

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

DOSAGE

CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE LEAVES

Preparation: To prepare an infusion, use 30 g drug to 500 ml

water.

Daily Dosage: For inflammation of the mucous membranes,

gargle with infusion 3 times daily. For wound cleansing,

wash wounds with infusion.

CALIFORNIA PEPPERTREE FRUIT

Mode of Administration: Whole and cut drug are used in

preparations for internal and external use.

Daily Dosage: No information is given in the literature.

Storage: Tightly sealed, cool, dry and protected from light.

LITERATURE

Dikshit A, Naqvi AA, Husain A, Schinus molle: a new source

of natural fungitoxicant. Appl Environ Microbiol, 38:1085-8,

1986 May.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg. New York, 1992-

1994.

Vargas Correa JB, Sanchez Sol s L, Farfpn Ale JA, Noguchi

H, Moguel Ba~nos MT, Vargas de la Pe~na MI, Allergological

study of pollen of mango (Magnifera indica) and cross

reactiyity with pollen of piru (Schinus molle). Rev Alerg,

38:134-8, 1991 Sep-Oct.

California Poppy

Eschscholtzia californica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of Eschscholtzia

californica are the aerial parts collected during the flowering

season and dried.