Details Top

Internal ID UUID64404a896d8bd892064033
Scientific name Piper callosum
Authority Ruiz & Pav.
First published in Fl. Peruv. 1: 34 (1798)

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.

Among several Andean and Amazonian groups, the leaves of Piper callosum are made into infusions or decoctions for topical or internal astringent purposes. In coastal Peru, rural communities infuse the leaves and drink the tea as a gentle astringent and to relieve gastrointestinal upset (De Feo, 1992). The Shipibo-Conibo of the Peruvian Amazon apply a poultice of crushed fresh leaves to cuts and bruises, and they also prepare a decoction of leaves for mouth or throat use, noting its hemostatic action (Desmarchelier et al., 1999). Among the Keshwa of Andean Peru, the leaves are boiled as a decoction and taken to stop postpartum bleeding, while a hot infusion of the leaves is used as a wash for infected wounds and oral mucosa (Rutter, 1990; Bennett et al., 1992). Throughout Chile’s southern regions, Mapuche healers chew the plant’s gum or aniseed‑like leaves and also prepare a leaf infusion to treat sore throats and mucous membrane irritation (Bennett et al., 1992). These preparations consistently involve the leaves, emphasizing their astringent and antimicrobial qualities in traditional practice.

One practical method for modern herbal use is a 1:5 w/v ethanol tincture. Combine roughly 50 g of air‑dried leaves with 250 mL of 45% ethanol in a clean jar, cap tightly, and shake daily for 14 days. After straining, store the tincture away from light. For external use on minor cuts or bruises, apply a few drops to gauze and hold gently on the area for 10–15 minutes, no more than three times daily. Because Piper species contain essential oils and irritants, avoid prolonged use on open wounds; test on a small skin patch first. The preparation is not recommended for internal use during pregnancy and should not replace wound care, antiseptics, or medical attention when needed. The tincture and the plant itself can be found in Peruvian herbal outlets and in some Andean apothecaries.

Active constituents that likely explain the astringent and antimicrobial uses are well‑documented for the species: a characteristic leaf essential oil rich in phenylpropanoid derivatives such as dillapiole and (E)-nerolidol, plus the alkamide piplartine (also called piperlongumine) (Gómez et al., 1997; Cardenas et al., 1999). Piplartine’s presence is notable, as it is a shared constituent in several Piper species and is known to have antimicrobial and mild anti‑inflammatory activity. These constituents provide a reasonable basis for the traditional applications of the leaf infusions and decoctions.

Modern research and commerce have kept Piper callosum in the limelight. Today, you can find matico teas, tinctures, and leaf powders in Peruvian markets and select botanical shops, and ongoing ethnopharmacological studies continue to explore its antimicrobial properties (Desmarchelier et al., 1999).

General Uses Top

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Scientific and model use:
The species is included in phylogenomic datasets of Piperaceae that underpin comparative studies of angiosperm diversification, but no taxon-specific, established laboratory resources or model protocols are reported. No references explicitly document industrial, craft, culinary, colorants/tanning, timber/fiber, fragrance/cosmetics, biofuels/bioplastics, or fermentation uses for Piper callosum.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Oxodium callosum Raf. Sylva Tellur. : 85 (1838)
Piper poiretianum C.DC. Prodr. 16(1): 325 (1869)
Schilleria callosa Kunth Linnaea 13: 689 (1840)
Peltobryon poeppigii Klotzsch ex Miq. Syst. Piperac. : 370 (1844)
Piper callosum var. franciscoanum C.DC. Notizbl. Königl. Bot. Gart. Berlin 6: 487 (1917)
Peltobryon callosum Miq. Syst. Piperac. : 369 (1844)
Piper benianum Trel. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 222 (1927)
Piper poeppigii (Klotzsch ex Miq.) C.DC. Prodr. 16(1): 260 (1869)

Common names Top

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Southern America
    • Brazil
      • Brazil North
      • Brazil South
      • Brazil Southeast
      • Brazil West-central
    • Western South America
      • Bolivia
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001092711
Tropicos 25001519
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:680748-1
The Plant List tro-25001519
Open Tree Of Life 691265
NCBI Taxonomy 538245
IPNI 680748-1
GBIF 7305318
CMAUP NPO28049

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.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Occurrence of Alkenylbenzenes in Plants: Flavours and Possibly Toxic Plant Metabolites Götz ME, Eisenreich A, Frenzel J, Sachse B, Schäfer B Plants (Basel) 23-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10255789
doi:10.3390/plants12112075
PMID:37299054
Anticariogenic Activity of Three Essential Oils from Brazilian Piperaceae Carvalho ÊS, Ayres VF, Oliveira MR, Corrêa GM, Takeara R, Guimarães AC, Santiago MB, Oliveira TA, Martins CH, Crotti AE, Silva EO Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 06-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9416246
doi:10.3390/ph15080972
PMID:36015120
Antiparasitic and Antibacterial Functionality of Essential Oils: An Alternative Approach for Sustainable Aquaculture Dawood MA, El Basuini MF, Zaineldin AI, Yilmaz S, Hasan MT, Ahmadifar E, El Asely AM, Abdel-Latif HM, Alagawany M, Abu-Elala NM, Van Doan H, Sewilam H Pathogens 09-Feb-2021
PMCID:PMC7914417
doi:10.3390/pathogens10020185
PMID:33572193
What’s in a name? Revisiting medicinal and religious plants at an Amazonian market Geertsma IP, Françozo M, van Andel T, Rodríguez MA J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 05-Feb-2021
PMCID:PMC7866673
doi:10.1186/s13002-021-00433-4
PMID:33546714
Piper Species: A Comprehensive Review on Their Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Applications Salehi B, Zakaria ZA, Gyawali R, Ibrahim SA, Rajkovic J, Shinwari ZK, Khan T, Sharifi-Rad J, Ozleyen A, Turkdonmez E, Valussi M, Tumer TB, Monzote Fidalgo L, Martorell M, Setzer WN Molecules 07-Apr-2019
PMCID:PMC6479398
doi:10.3390/molecules24071364
PMID:30959974
Piper Essential Oils Inhibit Rhizopus oryzae Growth, Biofilm Formation, and Rhizopuspepsin Activity Almeida CA, Azevedo MM, Chaves FC, Roseo de Oliveira M, Rodrigues IA, Bizzo HR, Gama PE, Alviano DS, Alviano CS Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol 05-Jul-2018
PMCID:PMC6057405
doi:10.1155/2018/5295619
PMID:30073039
OVICIDAL EFFECT OF PIPERACEAE SPECIES ON Biomphalaria glabrata, Schistosoma mansoni HOST Rapado LN, Lopes PO, Yamaguchi LF, Nakano E Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 01-Nov-2013
PMCID:PMC4105091
doi:10.1590/S0036-46652013000600009
PMID:24213196
Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants of the Pantanal Region (Mato Grosso, Brazil) Bieski IG, Rios Santos F, de Oliveira RM, Espinosa MM, Macedo M, Albuquerque UP, de Oliveira Martins DT Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 26-Feb-2012
PMCID:PMC3303862
doi:10.1155/2012/272749
PMID:22474496
Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oils of Piper caninum Blume Salleh WM, Ahmad F, Yen KH, Sirat HM Int J Mol Sci 08-Nov-2011
PMCID:PMC3233433
doi:10.3390/ijms12117720
PMID:22174627
Cytotoxic amide alkaloids from Piper boehmeriaefolium. Tang GH, Chen DM, Qiu BY, Sheng L, Wang YH, Hu GW, Zhao FW, Ma LJ, Wang H, Huang QQ, Xu JJ, Long CL, Li J J Nat Prod 28-Jan-2011
doi:10.1021/NP100606U
PMID:21158422
Isolation and identification of amides from Piper callosum. Synthesis of pipercallosine and pipercallosidine Brian G. Pring Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) 26-Apr-2004
doi:10.1039/P19820001493

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acids
Benzoic Acid 243 Click to see 122.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles
6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)hexa-2,4-dienamide 161479 Click to see 273.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)hexa-3,5-dienamide 599776 Click to see CC(C)CNC(=O)CC=CC=CC1=CC=C(C=C1)OC 273.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
N-Isobutyl-6-(p-methoxyphenyl)hexa-3,5-dien-amide 5374384 Click to see 273.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
Piperovatine 5374352 Click to see 273.37 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols / Long-chain fatty alcohols
(R)-nonacosan-10-ol 342803 Click to see 424.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
(-)-Sandaracopimaric acid 221580 Click to see 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,4aR,4bS,7R,10aR)-7-ethenyl-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthren-2-ol 22216597 Click to see 288.50 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Acetoxy-8(17),13E-labdadien-15-oic acid 13858192 Click to see 362.50 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Oxoanticopalic Acid 13858184 Click to see 318.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Abietic acid 10569 Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=CCC3C(C2CC1)(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Alepterolic acid 13858188 Click to see 320.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Dehydroabietic acid 94391 Click to see CC(C)C1=CC2=C(C=C1)C3(CCCC(C3CC2)(C)C(=O)O)C 300.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Levopimaric acid 221062 Click to see CC(C)C1=CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)C(=O)O)C 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Neoabietic acid 221118 Click to see 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Sandaracopimaradienediol 12313649 Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCC(C3(C)CO)O)C)C=C 304.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Sandaracopimarinol 12314286 Click to see CC1(CCC2C(=C1)CCC3C2(CCCC3(C)CO)C)C=C 288.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids
Linalool, (+)- 67179 Click to see 154.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Myrcene 31253 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids
P-Cymene 7463 Click to see 134.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(-)-beta-Pinene 440967 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,3R,6R)-3,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[4.1.0]heptane 98052623 Click to see 138.25 unknown via CMAUP database
alpha-Pinene, (+)- 82227 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, 1,3,3-trimethyl-, (1S,4R)- 10877186 Click to see 138.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Bornyl acetate, (-)- 93009 Click to see 196.29 unknown via CMAUP database
D-Borneol 6552009 Click to see 154.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
(+)-Limonene 440917 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
(+)-Terpinen-4-ol 2724161 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)(C(C)C)O 154.25 unknown via CMAUP database
4-Methylidene-1-propan-2-ylcyclohexan-1-ol 10197791 Click to see CC(C)C1(CCC(=C)CC1)O 154.25 unknown via CMAUP database
d-beta-Phellandrene 442484 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
Terpinolene 11463 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(R)-beta-bisabolene 68128 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(=C)CCC=C(C)C 204.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Bisabolol 1549992 Click to see CC1=CCC(CC1)C(C)(CCC=C(C)C)O 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
delta-Cadinol 3084311 Click to see CC1=CC2C(CCC(C2CC1)(C)O)C(C)C 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(3S,8R,9R,10R,13R,14R,17R)-17-[(2R,5R)-5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 11870456 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
7-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)hept-2-enamide 584591 Click to see 303.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100606U
9-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-N-(2-methylpropyl)nona-2,4-dienamide 585533 Click to see 329.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100606U
Pipercallosidine 5372065 Click to see 303.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100606U
Pipercallosine 5372201 Click to see CC(C)CNC(=O)C=CC=CCCCCC1=CC2=C(C=C1)OCO2 329.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1039/P19820001493
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
Pinocembrin 68071 Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Strobopinin 442520 Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1O)OC(CC2=O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O 270.28 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes
3-Methoxy-5-(2-phenylethenyl)phenol 182229 Click to see COC1=CC(=CC(=C1)O)C=CC2=CC=CC=C2 226.27 unknown via CMAUP database
3,5-Dimethoxystilbene 5316874 Click to see 240.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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