Matico
Piper aduncumLegend says a wounded Spanish soldier named Matico stopped his bleeding with this leaf, and the plant took his name.
What is Matico?
Matico (Piper aduncum) is a plant of the Piperaceae family. Traditions that use it: Amazon, Andes. Part used: leaves.
What is Matico used for?
Traditional use: In Peru the leaves are crushed and placed on wounds; the tea is drunk for stomach ache, diarrhoea and coughs. Scientific evidence: traditional. The leaf oil shows antibacterial and antifungal effects in the lab.
Is Matico safe?
Safety label: caution. Its essential oil can contain safrole and dillapiole; long-term internal use is not recommended. Not for use in pregnancy.
Traditional use
In Peru the leaves are crushed and placed on wounds; the tea is drunk for stomach ache, diarrhoea and coughs.
In nature
Mix-up risk
In Chile, the name matico is also used for Buddleja globosa, an entirely different plant.
Preparation
Fresh leaves are crushed onto wounds; dried leaves are steeped.
What science says
The leaf oil shows antibacterial and antifungal effects in the lab. There are no human studies.
Safety
Its essential oil can contain safrole and dillapiole; long-term internal use is not recommended. Not for use in pregnancy.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Drugs broken down in the liver | Safrole and dillapiole may affect liver enzymes. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Matico.
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchEssential Oil from Piper aduncum: Chemical Analysis, Antimicrobial Assessment, and Literature Review
- ResearchPiper aduncum essential oil: a promising insecticide, acaricide and antiparasitic. A review
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Piper aduncum
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe