ABSTRACT

The family Piperaceae consists of 10 genera and about 2000 species of tropical plants of which about 30 species are medicinal in Asia–Pacific. In field collection, Piperaceae can be recognized by three main features: articulate stems, asymmetrical or cordate leaves, and axillary spikes of little round berry-like fruits. Piperaceae of relative pharmaceutical value are Piper methysticum Forst. and Piper betle. Piper abbreviatum Opiz is a branching climber hugging trees with pendent lateral branches. The plant grows in Indonesia and the Philippines. The stems are fissured longitudinally, rooting, 3mm in diameter, and articulated. The pharmacological properties of Piper abbreviatum Opiz are unexplored. The medicinal property mentioned above might be owed to counterirritant effects. Betle consists of the dried leaves of Piper betle, which has been used as a stimulant, carminative, and antiseptic. It is used in India as a masticatory; in Malaysia, the leaves are usually mixed with lime and the scraping of Areca nuts.