Pink pepper is the fruit of the evergreen tree soft shins, originally from Latin America. It is a tree belonging to the Anacardiaceae family, perennial, with erect stem, supple branches, thick crown composed of dense and pinnate leaves even 20-25 cm long, similar in appearance to the willow.All parts of the plant contain a very essential oil scented with numerous and well-known properties. It belongs to a different pepper family commonly used in Italian cuisine, the Piper nigrum. Black, white and green pepper are in fact the fruits of this last plant, processed in a different way.
The light yellow flowers are collected in evident pendulous panicles and have a peppery aroma. The fruit of the tree Soft tendons it is a pink and fleshy berry that in shape resembles the fruit of the piper nigrum. Berries are clustered and are commonly known as fake pepper or pink pepper.
La Soft tendons it is grown in many countries in the southern hemisphere but also in some warm Mediterranean countries such as Turkey.
Composition:
the fruits contain resins, tannin and up to 10% of essential oils including pinene and limonene; they are very high in sugar. Essential oil has antibacterial properties (also towards the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia), antifungal and insecticide.
Property:
This plant has been and is still used in toto for its medicinal properties in different countries (Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Argentina etc ...). Its fruit promotes digestion thanks to its stomach, tonic and stimulating power. It has always been used in popular natural medicine as a local antibacterial to treat wounds and infections. Pink pepper is an excellent pain reliever especially in case of menstrual pain, toothache and rheumatic pain. Its bark, on the other hand, has astringent, antidiarrheal and antidepressant properties. The leaves are a valuable aid in case of toothache and oral ulcers. Their decoction is useful in case of respiratory and urinary infections, as well as as a wound healing. Note also the insect-repellent and insecticidal properties.
A resinous gum with an unpleasant odor is extracted from the bark, used as a purgative, in the control of fertility but also in the production of chewing gums and mastics.
Contraindications:
some varieties contain phenols which are irritating to the gastric mucosa. In high quantities it has a toxic effect.
Curiosity:
in Mexico pink pepper is known as Anacahuita and is used for the preparation of "pulque", an alcoholic beverage considered sacred. In the Andes it is called Quechua de Gualeguay.
La Soft tendons she is depicted in religious statues and in numerous idols of the native Amerindians of present-day Chile. Garcilaso Inca de la Vega, well-known Peruvian writer, son of the Spanish conquistador Sebastián Garcilaso de la Vega y Vargas, writes of the Soft tendons"Schinus molle is a panacea for New World Indians who use the berries to make a very good drink against urinary problems; a very good honey; a vinegar; a cleansing solution against scabies, a healing solution …… Wood is useful for curing toothache and an excellent charcoal….
Union BIO for years engaged in the study of plants and its medicinal properties, exploits the Soft tendons to create natural, safe and effective products, for the care and well-being of animals with respect for the environment, the planet and all its inhabitants.
Veterinary surgeon
Dr. Paola Zintu
Approved by CTS Union BIO
Photo: Jasleen kaur , Breki74 , Wendy Cutler
