Piper aduncum L.

Sirih hutan (Piper aduncum) is a shrub up to 2-8 meters tall of the Piperaceae family, native to southern Mexico, now widely naturalized across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Its fruit tastes spicy when young and turns sweet when ripe and black, while the essential oil in its leaves is used in soap and natural insecticides. Sirih hutan is traditionally believed to treat boils, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections.

A tropical region plant, its habitat is in plantation areas, natural forests, lianas. Found up to elevations of 1,000 m above sea level. Grows well in regions with average annual rainfall of 1,500-4,000 mm/year or more.

• Root a taproot, whitish-brown in color.
• Stem woody, ovate shaped, pointed tip, rounded base, flat edges at each node, finely hairy stalk.
• Leaves light green in color, palmate venation, leaf length 10-14 cm width 5-6 cm.
• Flowers compound, spike-shaped, unisexual or bisexual, short stamens, short pistil head, white, whitish-yellow.
• Fruit a berry, short-stalked, spike length 12-14 cm, yellowish-green when young, green when mature.
• Seeds small, brown in color.

• Seed and stem cuttings.
• Germination is relatively short, 17-25 days and after 2 months can be transplanted to a permanent area.

Saponin, flavonoid, polyphenol, essential oil, dihydrochalcone, piperaduncin A, B and C as well as 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxydihydrochalcone (DMC) and 2',6',4-trihydroxy-4' methoxydihydrochalcone.

Treats boils, wounds, schistosomiasis, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia, antiseptic, antibacterial, antimicrobial, astringent, diuretic, and stimulant.

• Prepare mature and healthy sirih hutan leaves and fruit (dark green in color).
• Wash thoroughly with running water.
• Air-dry in the shade for several days.
• Once dry, grind with a blender and store in an airtight package.

Seuseureuhan (Sunda), Sirihan, Suruhan.