BRAZILIAN PEPPERTREE POWDER TEA (Schinus molle) 2 OZ / 60 gr

Ethnomedical Uses: Brazilian Peppertree is still employed in herbal medicine today in many countries throughout South and Central America. In the Brazilian Amazon, a bark tea is used as a laxative, and a bark-and-leaf tea is used as a stimulant and antidepressant. The dried bark and/or leaves are employed for heart problems (hypertension and irregular heart beat), infections of all sorts, tumors, and general inflammation.

Today, herbalists and natural health practitioners in both North and South America use Brazilian peppertree mostly for colds, flu, and other upper respiratory infections; for fungal infections and Candida; and as a female balancing herb for numerous menstrual disorders, including menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding. A liquid extract or tincture prepared with the bark is used internally as a stimulant, tonic, and astringent, and externally for rheumatism, gout, and syphilis.

Properties/Actions Documented by Research: analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancerous, anticandidal, antifungal, antispasmodic, antitumorous, antiviral, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure) and wound healer.

Cautions: It has as a mild hypotensive effect (lowers blood pressure). This plant shall not be used in pregnancy.

How to use/ Preparation: The leaves are best prepared as an infusion, and the bark is best prepared as a decoction or an alcohol tincture. A leaf decoction twice daily or as needed is generally used for menstrual disorders. Generally, 1/2 cup of a bark decoction twice daily is used for colds, flu, sore throats and other upper respiratory infections; 2-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture taken two or three times daily can be substituted, if desired. This traditional remedy is also used as a heart tonic and for irregular heartbeat.