Piper regnellii
Piper regnellii, commonly known as West African pepper or African black pepper, is a versatile medicinal plant native to tropical Africa. Renowned for its pungent aroma, it is extensively used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and inflammation, serving as both a culinary spice and therapeutic agent.
- Scientific name: Piper regnellii
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Southern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Piperales, it is a member of the family Piperaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Piper, with the specific species being Piper regnellii.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Piperaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piper | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Piper regnellii, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In English, it is frequently referred to as African long pepper, while in Swahili, it is commonly called mchaichai. Additionally, it is known as mshubiri in some local contexts.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad presence across the vast territory of Brazil. It is widely distributed throughout the Brazil North region, spanning various ecological zones. The species also makes significant appearances in Brazil Northeast and Brazil West-Central. Furthermore, its range extends into the lush landscapes of Brazil Southeast. Finally, the geographical footprint of Piper regnellii is completed by its occurrence in Brazil South.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Northeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil Southeast | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil North | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil South | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Argentina Northeast | WCVP |
| Southern South America | Paraguay | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper regnellii, utilizes its leaves as the primary component in traditional medicinal practices. These leaves are often harvested and processed to extract various bioactive compounds believed to possess therapeutic properties. In many cultures, the leaf matter is used in infusions or topical applications to address specific health concerns, making the foliage the most significant part of the plant for medicinal use.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper regnellii has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include eupomatenoid-5, 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl) benzene, apiol, eupomatenoid-3.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| eupomatenoid-5 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl) benzene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eupomatenoid-3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper regnellii has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, dermatophytes, infectious diseases.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatophytes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |