BT-091 · Anacardiaceae

Peruvian pepper tree

Schinus molle
Evidence: TraditionalCaution

The spice sold as pink pepper is the fruit of this tree; it is not related to true pepper.

Other names
Molle, pink peppercorn, pirul
Part used
Fruit, leaves, resin
Region
Andes
Use
Ritual and shamanic, Healing, Food
Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle): drooping narrow leaves
Photo: Charles Gadbois · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Peruvian pepper tree?

Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) is a plant of the Anacardiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Andes. Part used: fruit, leaves, resin.

What is Peruvian pepper tree used for?

Traditional use: The Incas made a fermented drink (chicha de molle) from the berries. Scientific evidence: traditional. The leaf oil shows antibacterial and insect-repellent effects in the lab.

Is Peruvian pepper tree safe?

Safety label: caution. Eating too many berries can upset the stomach. Can cause allergy in people allergic to cashew or mango.

Traditional use

Andes

The Incas made a fermented drink (chicha de molle) from the berries. The leaves are rubbed on the body in limpia rites and added to baths for rheumatism.

Andes

Archaeology documents large-scale molle beer production at Cerro Baúl in the Wari period.

In nature

Where it grows
Dry Andean valleys; now an ornamental in many places, including the Mediterranean.
Harvest season
Berries ripen in late winter.
Local names
No Turkish folk name. Local names: molle, mulli, pirul

Mix-up risk

The Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolia) is similar and also sold as pink pepper.

Preparation

Berries are soaked and fermented; leaves are boiled and added to bath water.

What science says

The leaf oil shows antibacterial and insect-repellent effects in the lab. There are no human studies.

Safety

Caution

Eating too many berries can upset the stomach. Can cause allergy in people allergic to cashew or mango.

Drug interactions

Medicine or substanceWhy it matters
No notable drug interaction reportedThe main risks are nausea and allergy.

This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Peruvian pepper tree.

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Sources

  1. ResearchConsuming Kero: Molle Beer and Wari social identity in Andean Peru (Journal of Anthropological Archaeology)
  2. ResearchSchinus molle (pirul) ağacının şeker hastalığına karşı özellikleri (derleme)
  3. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Schinus molle
  4. 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

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