Piperaceae (Pepper Family)

The Piperaceae, also known as the pepper family, are a large family of flowering plants. The group contains roughly 3,600 currently accepted species in 5 genera. The vast majority of species can be found within the two main genera: Piper and Peperomia. Members of the Piperaceae may be small trees, shrubs, or herbs.

The most well-known species is Piper nigrum, which yields most peppercorns that are used as spices, including black pepper, although its relatives in the family include many other spices like Piper longum.

P. nigrum & P. longum are native to southern India and is extensively cultivated there as well as elsewhere in tropical regions, including Africa.

The plant is believed to cure illnesses such as constipation, diarrhea, earache, gangrene, heart disease, hernia, hoarseness, indigestion, insect bites, insomnia, joint pain, liver problems, lung disease, oral abscesses, sunburn, tooth decay, and toothaches.

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