Schinus molle
Peruvian pepper
Schinus molle, commonly known as the Peruvian peppertree, is a versatile evergreen native to South America. Renowned for its aromatic foliage and distinctive red berries, this resilient plant offers significant medicinal value. It is traditionally utilized for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties in various holistic healing practices worldwide.
- Scientific name: Schinus molle
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Anacardiaceae and the genus Schinus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Anacardiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Schinus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Schinus molle, is recognized by various names across different cultures and languages. In Haiti, it is referred to as Moye, while in Poland, it is called Schinus peruwiański. The Quechua language uses the name Mulli to identify it, and in French, it is commonly known as faux-poivrier odorant. Additionally, in Russian, the species is referred to as Шинус мягкий.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ht | Moye | Wikidata |
| pl | Schinus peruwiański | Wikidata |
| qu | Mulli | Wikidata |
| fr | faux-poivrier odorant | Wikidata |
| ru | Шинус мягкий | Wikidata |
| ca | fals pebrer | Wikidata |
| fi | perunroseepippuri | Wikidata |
| hu | perui borsfa | Wikidata |
| ay | Mulli | Wikidata |
| de | Peruanischer Pfefferbaum | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several distinct regions of the Mediterranean. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in Portugal and Spain. Its distribution also extends to the island of Sardegna within the same part of the continent. Moving toward Southeastern Europe, the species is established in Greece. Finally, its geographical reach includes the territory of Italy.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Peruvian peppertree, offers various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The whole plant is often studied for its diverse therapeutic potential, with specific attention given to the aromatic leaves. Each individual leaf is pinnate and contributes to the plant's characteristic scent, which is also found in the essential oil extracted from the specimen. Furthermore, the trunk bark resin is a notable feature used in traditional applications, while the small, pungent seeds are frequently harvested for their distinct chemical properties.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 16
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| trunk bark resin essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Schinus molle has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 24 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (+)-catechin, 6-epi-shyobunol, D-limonene, alpha-muurolene, alpha-phellandrene.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 24
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| (+)-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-epi-shyobunol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| D-limonene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-muurolene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-phellandrene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-pinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-cadinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-phellandrene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-pinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Schinus molle has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Schinus molle has 18 reported medicinal uses identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension, Candida albicans, Chagas disease, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Malaria.
- Total uses
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chagas disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatocellular carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast carcinoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |