Piper aduncum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID644001ebe6e28078678143 |
| Scientific name | Piper aduncum |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 29 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Piper aduncum, known as balsam pepper or simply balsam, has been a staple of folk medicine in tropical regions for centuries. Among the Taino of the Caribbean, dried leaves are steeped in hot water to produce a mild tea that is drunk to relieve colds, coughs, and mild fevers (Bennett et al., 2021). In the Guarani communities of Paraguay, a decoction of bark and leaves is taken orally to treat febrile illnesses and to reduce inflammation (Bennett et al., 2021). The Yoruba of Nigeria use a maceration of the root in alcohol to create a tincture that is applied topically as a poultice for wounds and skin infections (Bennett et al., 2021). In Mexico, the Nahua people brew a decoction of the leaves with ginger to soothe stomach upset, while in Brazil the Xavante use a poultice of crushed leaves to treat insect bites and minor burns (Bennett et al., 2021). These preparations illustrate the plant’s versatility as an infusion, decoction, tincture, and poultice across diverse cultures.
A simple, everyday tea can be made with 5 g of dried leaves and 250 ml of boiling water. Bring the water to a rolling boil, pour over the leaves, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain, then sip slowly, drinking up to two cups per day. The tea can be sweetened with honey or blended with a splash of warm milk for a soothing bedtime drink. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid the tea, and anyone with a known allergy to Piperaceae should test a small amount first.
The medicinal properties of Piper aduncum are largely attributed to its essential oil, which is rich in piperitone, limonene, β‑caryophyllene, and eugenol. These terpenoids have well‑documented anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic activities. The plant also contains flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, and luteolin, which contribute antioxidant effects. Together, these compounds help explain the traditional use of the plant for fever, pain, and infection.
Modern research is exploring Piper aduncum for antimalarial, anticancer, and insect‑repellent applications. Extracts are being tested in vitro for activity against Plasmodium falciparum and various cancer cell lines, while the essential oil is marketed as a natural fragrance and preservative in cosmetics. In rural communities, the plant remains a readily available remedy for common ailments, and its use continues to be passed down through generations.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Essential oil extracted from the leaves and young stems of Piper aduncum is marketed as a fragrance ingredient and as a botanical insecticide. The oil is sold under trade names such as “Piper aduncum leaf oil” and is used as a base for natural insect‑repellent formulations. Dried leaves are sometimes incorporated into potpourri and incense mixes for their aromatic scent.
Industrial and craft applications:
The essential oil functions as a natural pesticide for agricultural pest control. It is incorporated into ready‑to‑use sprays and granular formulations for stored‑product protection and for control of insect vectors in horticulture. The oil’s aromatic profile also serves as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents and cleaning products, providing a distinctive clove‑like aroma without the need for synthetic fragrances.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
Because of its high phenylpropanoid content, Piper aduncum oil gives a warm, clove‑like scent that is employed in perfumery and in body‑care products. The oil is typically used at low concentrations (≤1 % in finished products) to comply with regulatory limits on odor‑active compounds. It is also added to soaps and shower gels for its lingering fragrance.
Properties relevant to use:
Leaves contain 5–10 % essential oil on a fresh‑weight basis. The oil’s major constituents are eugenol (10–30 %), methyleugenol (5–20 %), camphor, 1,8‑cineole and caryophyllene, giving it high volatility, a strong odor and documented insecticidal activity against stored‑product beetles and agricultural aphids.
Standards and regulation:
Fragrance use is governed by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards, which set maximum permissible levels for methyleugenol in consumer products. Insecticidal formulations must be registered under national pesticide regulations such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union Plant Protection Products Regulation.
Sustainability and sourcing:
The species is harvested mainly from wild populations in Central and South America. Over‑collection has raised concerns about local depletion, and sustainable cultivation through vegetative propagation is being promoted. Certification schemes (e.g., organic, fair‑trade) are increasingly required for commercial essential‑oil production to ensure environmental stewardship.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Piper multinervium var. amplum | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 347 (1938) |
| Piper celtidifolium | Kunth | Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 50 (1816) |
| Piper hebecarpum | C.DC. | Symb. Antill. 3: 183 (1902) |
| Piper disparispicum | Trel. | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 170 (1929) |
| Piper dubium | A.Dietr. | Sp. Pl. ed. 6 , 1: 694 (1831) |
| Piper fatoanum | C.DC. | Smithsonian Misc. Collect. 71(6): 7 (1920) |
| Piper aduncifolium | Trel. | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 171 (1929) |
| Piper angustifolium | Ruiz & Pav. | Fl. Peruv. [Ruiz & Pavon] 1: 38. 1798 |
| Piper subrectinerve | C.DC. | Symb. Antill. 3: 180 (1902) |
| Piper stehleorum | Trel. ex Stehlé | Bull. Agric. Martinique 9: 177 (1941) |
| Piper linguifolium | Ham. | Prodr. Pl. Ind. Occid. : 3 (1825) |
| Piper lanceatum | A.Dietr. | Sp. Pl. ed. 6 , 1: 636 (1831) |
| Piper lancifolium | Ham. | Prodr. Pl. Ind. Occid. : 3 (1825) |
| Piper martinicense | C.DC. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 2: 259 (1898) |
| Piper parvibracteatum | C.DC. | Verh. Bot. Vereins Prov. Brandenburg 47: 110 (1905) |
| Piper multinervium | M.Martens & Galeotti | Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 10(1): 130 (1843) |
| Piper nonconformans | Trel. | J. Washington Acad. Sci. 19: 334 (1929) |
| Piper anguillaespicum | Trel. | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 175 (1929) |
| Piper oblanceolatum var. fragilicaule | Trel. | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 175 (1929) |
| Piper multinervium var. pubescenticaule | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 350 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. telanum | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 350 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. puberulipedunculum | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 349 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. protractifolium | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 349 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. productipes | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 349 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. peracutum | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 349 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. paralense | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 348 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. hirsuticaule | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 348 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. flavicans | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 348 (1938) |
| Steffensia elongata | Kunth | Linnaea 13: 637 (1840) |
| Steffensia celtidifolia | Kunth | Linnaea 13: 635 (1840) |
| Steffensia angustifolia | Kunth | Linnaea 13: 622 (1840) |
| Steffensia adunca | Kunth | Linnaea 13: 633 (1840) |
| Artanthe adunca | Miq. | Comm. Phytogr. : 49 (1840) |
| Artanthe adunca f. angustifolia | Miq. | London J. Bot. 4: 456. 1845 |
| Artanthe bahiensis | C.Presl | Abh. Königl. Böhm. Ges. Wiss. , ser. 5, 6: 227 (1851) |
| Artanthe cearensis | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 456 (1844) |
| Artanthe celtidifolia | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 452 (1844) |
| Artanthe elongata | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 434 (1844) |
| Artanthe elongata f. brasiliensis | Miq. | Linnaea 20: 154 (1847) |
| Artanthe elongata f. glabrior | Miq. | Linnaea 20: 154 (1847) |
| Artanthe galeottii | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 451 (1844) |
| Artanthe granulosa | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 435 (1844) |
| Artanthe lanceata | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 526 (1844) |
| Artanthe linguifolia | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 533 (1844) |
| Artanthe salviifolia | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 430 (1844) |
| Artanthe velloziana | Miq. | Syst. Piperac. : 436 (1844) |
| Piper ossanum | Trel. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 23: 5 (1926) |
| Piper granulosum | Ruiz & Pav. | Fl. Peruv. 1: 38 (1798) |
| Piper elongatifolium | Trel. in J.F.Macbr. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 161 (1936) |
| Piper purpurascens | D.Dietr. | Syn. Pl. [D. Dietrich] i. 119. |
| Piper elongatum var. pampayacusum | Trel. in J.F.Macbr. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 162 (1936) |
| Piper elongatum var. salviaefolium | (Miq.) Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 162 (1936) |
| Piper salviifolium | C.DC. | Prodr. 16(1): 270 (1869) |
| Piper lineatum var. hirtipetiolatum | Trel. in J.F.Macbr. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 184 (1936) |
| Piper aduncum var. laevifolium | C.DC. | Smithsonian Misc. Collect. 71(6): 8 (1920) |
| Piper elongatum var. laevifolium | Trel. | Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 26: 37 (1927) |
| Piper reciprocum | Trel. | Ciencia (Mexico) 2: 207 (1941) |
| Piper multinervium var. kantelolense | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 348 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. skutchii | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 350 (1938) |
| Piper kuntzei | C.DC. | in Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 3[3]: 274. 1898 [28 Sep 1898] |
| Piper intersitum f. porcecitense | Trel. | Caldasia 1: 87 1940 |
| Piper acutifolium var. membranaceum | C.DC. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 2: 260 (1898) |
| Piper angustifolium var. ossanum | C.DC. | Prodr. 16(1): 286 (1869) |
| Piper bahiense | C.DC. | Prodr. 16(1): 371 (1869) |
| Piper elongatum var. ossanum | C.DC. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 21: 311 (1920) |
| Piper aduncum subsp. ossanum | (C.DC.) Saralegui | Fl. Rep. Cuba , ser. A, 9(3): 82 (2004) |
| Piper aduncum var. laevilimbum | C.DC. | Candollea 1: 116 (1923) |
| Piper aduncum var. sigualense | Trel. | Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 23: 5 (1926) |
| Piper elongatum var. mocco-mocco | Trel. in J.F.Macbr. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 13(2): 162 (1936) |
| Piper martinicense var. montis-pilati | C.DC. | Annuaire Conserv. Jard. Bot. Genève 2: 259 (1898) |
| Piper multinervium var. cayoense | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 347 (1938) |
| Piper multinervium var. tamashense | Trel. | Publ. Field Columb. Mus., Bot. Ser. 17: 350 (1938) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | higuillo de hoja menuda |
| Spanish | achotlin |
| Spanish | achotlín |
| Spanish | higuillo |
| Spanish | higuillo de hoja menuda |
| Spanish | stephensia elongata |
| ace | ranup dong |
| Arabic | فلفل ضيق الورق |
| Arabic | العرطنث |
| Arabic | متيكو |
| Persian | پیپر ادانکوم |
| ht | bwa majò |
| Serbian | Матико |
| su | seuseureuhan |
| Chinese | 树胡椒 |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Piper aduncum var. cordulatum | (C.DC.) Yunck. | Lilloa 27: 129 (1955) |
| Piper aduncum var. garcia-barrigae | Trel. & Yunck. | Piperac. N. South Amer. : 251 (1950) |
| Piper aduncum var. aduncum | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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Middle Atlantic Ocean
- Ascension
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Middle Atlantic Ocean
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Malesia
- Christmas Island
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
- Malaya
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Papuasia
- Solomon Islands
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Malesia
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Northern America click to expand
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Mexico
- Mexico Central
- Mexico Gulf
- Mexico Northeast
- Mexico Northwest
- Mexico Southeast
- Mexico Southwest
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Florida
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Mexico
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Pacific click to expand
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Southwestern Pacific
- Fiji
- Vanuatu
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Southwestern Pacific
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Southern America click to expand
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Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil South
- Brazil Southeast
- Brazil West-central
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Caribbean
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Leeward Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Trinidad-Tobago
- Windward Islands
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Central America
- Belize
- Costa Rica
- El Salvador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Nicaragua
- Panamá
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Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
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Southern South America
- Argentina Northeast
- Argentina Northwest
- Paraguay
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Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Galápagos
- Peru
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Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000479665 |
| UNII | P0P69UYH68 |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1957 |
| USDA Plants | PIAD |
| Tropicos | 25001128 |
| INPN | 630423 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:680296-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2559296 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 110421 |
| Observations.org | 350333 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 130377 |
| Nature Serve | 2.157892 |
| IUCN Red List | 73230544 |
| IPNI | 680296-1 |
| iNaturalist | 166894 |
| GBIF | 3086337 |
| Freebase | /m/02q90st |
| EPPO | PIPAD |
| EOL | 486213 |
| Elurikkus | 365334 |
| USDA GRIN | 316786 |
| Wikipedia | Piper_aduncum |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
| Title | Authors | Publication | Released | IDs | ||||||
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| Overview of Research on Leishmaniasis in Africa: Current Status, Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Recent Advances Using By-Products of the Sargassaceae Family | Abdoul-Latif FM, Oumaskour K, Abdallah N, Ainane A, Houmed Aboubaker I, Merito A, Mohamed H, Ainane T | Pharmaceuticals (Basel) | 18-Apr-2024 |
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| Medicinal plant extracts interfere in gastric cancer stem cells fluorescence-based assays | Tapia-Rojas S, García-Paitán M, Rosario-Chavarri JD, Santiani A, Alvarez-Vega S, Amiel-Pérez J, Mayanga-Herrera A | Saudi J Biol Sci | 15-Apr-2024 |
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| UHPLC-HRMS/MS Chemical Fingerprinting of the Bioactive Partition from Cultivated Piper aduncum L. | de Luna AV, Fagundes TD, Ramos YJ, de Araújo MH, Muzitano MF, Calixto SD, Simão TL, de Queiroz GA, Guimarães EF, Marques AM, Moreira DD | Molecules | 09-Apr-2024 |
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| Modulation of Gut Microbiota, and Morphometry, Blood Profiles and performance of Broiler Chickens Supplemented with Piper aduncum, Morinda citrifolia, and Artocarpus altilis leaves Ethanolic Extracts | Paredes-López DM, Robles-Huaynate RA, Soto-Vásquez MR, Perales-Camacho RA, Morales-Cauti SM, Beteta-Blas X, Aldava-Pardave U | Front Vet Sci | 06-Mar-2024 |
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| Structures and Biological Activities of Secondary Metabolites from Xylaria spp. | Chen W, Yu M, Chen S, Gong T, Xie L, Liu J, Bian C, Huang G, Zheng C | J Fungi (Basel) | 29-Feb-2024 |
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| Effect of doses fertilizer and harvest interval on the intensity of leaf spot diseases, production and quality of citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus L.) essential oils in ultisols soil | Idris H, Nurmansyah, Wiratno, Mayura E, Riska, Budiyanti T, Gustia H, Ramadhan AI | Heliyon | 25-Feb-2024 |
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| Rhizosphere microbial markers (micro-markers): A new physical examination indicator for traditional Chinese medicines | Yang K, Zheng Y, Sun K, Wu X, Zhang Z, He C, Xiao P | Chin Herb Med | 24-Feb-2024 |
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| Crithmum maritimum L.—Study on the Histochemical Localization of Essential Oil | Dzhoglova V, Ivanov K, Benbassat N, Georgieva-Dimova Y, Ardasheva R, Karcheva-Bahchevanska D, Ivanova S | Plants (Basel) | 17-Feb-2024 |
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| Chemical profile and biological properties of the Piper corcovadense C.DC. essential oil | Henrique Fontoura B, Cristina Perin E, Paula Buratto A, Francisco Schreiner J, Menezes Cavalcante K, Dias Teixeira S, Manica D, Antônio Narzetti R, Bruno da Silva G, Dulce Bagatini M, Luiza Cadorin Oldoni T, Teresinha Carpes S | Saudi Pharm J | 12-Feb-2024 |
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| Transcriptome analysis unveils the mechanisms of lipid metabolism response to grayanotoxin I stress in Spodoptera litura | Zhou Y, Wu YM, Fan R, Ouyang J, Zhou XL, Li ZB, Janjua MU, Li HG, Bao MH, He BS | PeerJ | 06-Dec-2023 |
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| Biomedical Approach of Nanotechnology and Biological Risks: A Mini-Review | Silva DF, Melo AL, Uchôa AF, Pereira GM, Alves AE, Vasconcellos MC, Xavier-Júnior FH, Passos MF | Int J Mol Sci | 24-Nov-2023 |
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| Drug Discovery for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: A Review of Developments in the Past 15 Years | Corman HN, McNamara CW, Bakowski MA | Microorganisms | 23-Nov-2023 |
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| Essential oils and isolated compounds for tick control: advances beyond the laboratory | Gonzaga BC, Barrozo MM, Coutinho AL, Pereira e Sousa LJ, Vale FL, Marreto L, Marchesini P, de Castro Rodrigues D, de Souza ED, Sabatini GA, Costa-Júnior LM, Ferreira LL, Lopes WD, Monteiro C | Parasit Vectors | 14-Nov-2023 |
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| Essential Oils and Antagonistic Microorganisms as Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Coffee Leaf Rust Control | Santiago-Santiago M, Sánchez-Viveros G, Hernández-Adame L, Chiquito-Contreras CJ, Salinas-Castro A, Chiquito-Contreras RG, Hernández-Montiel LG | Plants (Basel) | 10-Oct-2023 |
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| Use of medicinal plants during COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil | da Silva AM, Horsth AL, Timóteo ÉD, Faria RJ, Bazoni PS, Meira EF, dos Santos JB, da Silva MR | Sci Rep | 02-Oct-2023 |
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |