Description

Legendary

According to legends, Piper Aduncum was discovered by a wounded Spanish soldier named Matico. He learned, presumably from the local tribes, that applying the leaves to his wounds stopped bleeding, and it began to be called “Matico” or “soldier’s herb”. It was introduced into the profession of medicine in the United States and Europe by a Liverpool physician in 1839 as a styptic and astringent for wounds.

Throughout the Amazon, many of the Indian tribes use Piper Aduncum leaves as an antiseptic wound healer to stop bleeding, prevent infections and to speed healing.

Habitat

Piper Aduncum is a tropical, evergreen, shrubby tree that grows to the height of 6 to 7 meter (20 to 23 ft) with lance-shaped leaves that are 12 to 20 centimeter (5 to 8 in) long. It is native to Southern Mexico, the Caribbean, and much of tropical South America.

Additional Information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_aduncum

http://www.rain-tree.com/matico.htm#.WMqh-hDlBzg