Japanese pepper
Zanthoxylum piperitum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (28 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Japanese pepper, scientifically known as Zanthoxylum piperitum, is a deciduous shrub native to East Asia. Renowned for its aromatic leaves and peppercorn-like fruit, it is a staple in culinary and traditional medicine. Its unique numbing properties and antioxidant qualities make it a valuable resource for holistic wellness and flavor.
Names
Common Names
- Japanese-pepper
- Korean pepper
- chopi
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- cayatuna
- pimienta del Japón
German:
- japanischer Pfeffer
French:
- poivrier du Japon
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Zanthoxylum piperitumSynonyms
- Zanthoxylum ovalifoliolatum
- Fagara piperita
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. hispidum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. rotundatum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum var. hispidum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum var. inerme
- Zanthoxylum piperitum var. brevispinum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. brevispinum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. ovalifoliolatum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. inerme
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. corticosum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum f. verrucatum
- Zanthoxylum piperitum var. spinosum
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 in the family Rutaceae. It is further categorized under the genus Zanthoxylum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zanthoxylum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across several key regions in Eastern Asia. It can be found growing naturally throughout the various islands and mainland areas of Japan. Its presence is also well-documented across the Korean Peninsula. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species extends into the mountainous terrain of the East Himalaya. These specific locations define the core geographical range for this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Japanese pepper or Sanshō, utilizes several distinct components for its medicinal and culinary purposes. The fruits are frequently harvested for their aromatic zest, while the seeds contained within provide a unique pungent sensation used in various traditional remedies. Additionally, the bark of the tree is often employed in herbal preparations, contributing its own specific chemical properties to the plant's overall therapeutic profile.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Zanthoxylum piperitum has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-PHELLANDRENE, CATECHIN, Gallic acid, LIMONENE, METHYL GALLATE.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| BETA-PHELLANDRENE | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CATECHIN | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gallic acid | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| LIMONENE | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| METHYL GALLATE | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin 3-O-beta-D-galactoside | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quercetin-3-o-rutinose | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rosamultin | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-Myrcene | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Zanthoxylum piperitum has 1 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antinociceptive | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Zanthoxylum piperitum has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include alveolar bone loss, coronary heart disease, dyslipidemia, glutamate, hypertension.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| alveolar bone loss | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coronary heart disease | International journal of molecular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyslipidemia | International journal of molecular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glutamate | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | International journal of molecular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lipid peroxidation | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | International journal of molecular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| toothache | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | International journal of molecular medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Essential oils | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts of Z. piperitum fruits | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |