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Common Name:

General Information

Piper capense is a rather variable plant in habit, ranging from a weakly erect, aromatic, evergreen shrub or subshrub, to a more or less herbaceous perennial and sometimes a straggling plant that scrambles into other plants for support[]. The stems can be 1 - 5 metres long, with one or sometimes several stems arising from a tuberous rootstock[].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Sierra Leone to Ethiopia and Sudan, south to Angola, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

Habitat

Forest undergrowth in wet places, swampy forest edges, mixed bamboo-forest, scrub and thicket near streams, grassland and tree clumps, etc.; at elevations from 650 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is closely related to black pepper (Piper nigrum)[].

Edible Uses

Fruits - used as a spice[]. A clove-like pungent-spicy flavour[]. The fruit is a globose-ovoid drupe 2 - 4mm long, containing 1 seed[].

Medicinal

Piper capense is closely related to the black pepper of commerce (Piper nigrum) and, like that species, is commonly used to treat a range of conditions.
The aerial parts of the plant contain mainly monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons[].
From the roots the sesquiterpene capentin and several neo-lignans have been isolated[].
A crude root extract showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Corynebacterium xerosis in vitro[].

The fruit is considered to be carminative, diuretic, stimulant and stomachic and vermifuge[, ]. An infusion in water or brandy is taken to treat stomach problems, including indigestion, flatulence and colic; heart and kidney problems; and as a cough medicine[, ]. It can cause sweating and sleepiness[].

Leaf preparations are widely used to treat a range of conditions including abdominal disorders; bilious fever; kwashiorkor; haematuria; bacterial skin infections; epileptic attacks; and polio[]
A water extract of the leaves and stems is given as an enema to women a few days after delivery to remove the afterbirth[].

The root is said to be anthelmintic[]. A sweetened root infusion or seed extract is taken against cough. The raw or cooked root is eaten as an aphrodisiac tonic[].
An ointment made from the root is applied to the soles of the feet to treat paralysis of patients suffering from cerebral bleeding[].

A maceration of the bark is drunk to treat sore mouth and throat; chest complaints; and venereal diseases[]. The bark is an ingredient of infusions given to treat sterility[].
The pulverized bark, mixed with Vaseline, is applied on wounds and against vaginal discharge[].

In trials, the antifungal properties of the essential oils have been shown to be weak[].

Other Uses

The fresh leaves contain about 0.2% essential oil, whilst the seeds contain 1.4%[]. Both essential oils are rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons and contain mainly α-pinene, β-pinene, camphene and sabinene. [].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings

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