Schinus terebinthifolia

Schinus terebinthifolia, “Brazilian rose pepper” or “Brazilian peppertree” in English and “Faux poivrier” in French, belongs to the Anacardiaceae botanical family.

Native to Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, it is a shrub or small tree growing to 7-10 m in moist lowland scrub and in a range of forest types.

It is widely grown in tropical areas mainly as an ornamental but also for its seeds, “pink peppercorn” in English and “baies roses” in French, a popular alternative peppery spice.Its leaves are widely used in folk medicine for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, as an antipyretic, analgesic, depurative, in the treatment of diseases of the urogenital system etc.

Among the leaves essential oil main constituents are δ-3-carene, E-caryophyllene, myrcene and α-pinene. Also ferulic and caffeic acids, and quercetin.

• English name Brazilian peppertree
• French name Baie rose du bresil