Piper Cubeba
FAMILY: Piperaceae
SYNONYMS: Cubeba officinalis, cubeba, tailed pepper, cubeb berry, false pepper.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: An evergreen climbing vine up to 6 metres high with heart-shaped leaves. Altogether similar to the black pepper plant, except that the fruit or seeds of the cubeb retain their peduncle or stem – thus the name, tailed pepper.
DISTRIBUTION: Native to Indonesia, cultivated throughout south east Africa, usually together with coffee crops. The oil is mainly produced at source in Indonesia.
OTHER SPECIES: Closely related to the black pepper plant (P. nigrum) and to the South American matico (P. augustifolium). There are also many other related species grown in Indonesia which are, often used for adulteration, such as false cubebs (P. crassipes).
HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: The seeds are used locally as a domestic spice. It has been traditionally used for treating genito-urinary infections, such as gonorrhoea, cystitis, urethritis, abscess of the prostate gland and leucorrhoea. It is also used for digestive upsets and respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis. The seeds have a local stimulating effect on the mucous membrane of the urinary and respiratory tracts, and the powder was found ‘90 per cent clinically effective in treating amoebic dysentery’..
ACTIONS: Antiseptic (pulmonary, genito-urinary), antispasmodic, antiviral, bactericidal, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant.
EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the unripe but fully grown fruits or berries. (An oleoresin is also produced in small quantities.)
CHARACTERISTICS: A pale greenish or bluish yellow viscous liquid with a warm woody-spicy, slightly camphoraceous odour. It blends well with cananga, galbanum, lavender, rosemary, black pepper, allspice and other spices.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes which include caryophyllene, cadinene, cubebene, sabinene, among others.
SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing. Frequently subject to adulteration.
AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE
Respiratory System: Bronchitis, catarrh, congestion, chronic coughs, sinusitis, throat infections.
Digestive System: Flatulence, indigestion, piles, sluggish digestion.
Genito-Urinary Systems: Cystitis, leucorrhoea, urethritis.
OTHER USES: Employed in diuretic and urinary antiseptic preparations and as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, toiletries, cosmetics and perfumes. Used as a flavouring agent in most major food categories; also used for flavouring tobacco.... cubebs
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