False black pepper, White-flowered Embelia

Embelia ribes

Physical Characteristics

Embelia ribes is an evergreen Climber growing to 15 m (49ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - southern China, India, Malaysia, Indo-China and Indonesia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Stem Edible Uses: Condiment Drink Edible portion: Leaves, Fruit, Spice. Young leaves and shoots - raw[ 301 ]. Often used as a side-dish with rice, when the leaves are usually mixed with other greens[ 301 ]. An acid flavour, the leaves can be used as a substitute for tamarind in soups and vegetable dishes[ 301 ]. Fruit - raw[ 301 ]. A sour-sweet flavour, they are eaten as a delicacy, mostly by children[ 301 , 310 ]. The dried fruit is used as an adulterant of black pepper[ 46 , 301 ]. A sweet, refreshing drink can be prepared from the leaves and the fruits[ 301 ]. The young stems are chewed as a delicacy[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Alterative Anthelmintic Antidiarrhoeal Antitussive Carminative Diuretic Laxative Mouthwash Parasiticide Poultice Purgative Skin Stimulant The dried berries (seeds) are alterative, anthelmintic, carminative and stimulant[ 304 ]. An aqueous extract of the berries has shown antifertility activity[ 304 ]. The powdered berries are widely used to kill tapeworms - castor oil is taken later in order to expel the dead worm[ 304 , 310 ]. A paste of the berries is used to treat skin problems such as ringworm[ 304 ]. The paste, mixed with oil, has been used as a poultice to treat headaches[ 304 ]. The pulp is purgative[ 304 ]. The fresh juice is cooling, diuretic and laxative[ 304 ]. The leaves, combined with ginger, have been used as a mouth wash to treat ulcers and sore throats[ 304 ]. A paste of the bark is applied to the chest to treat lung diseases such as pneumonia[ 304 ]. An infusion of the roots is given to treat coughs and diarrhoea[ 310 ]. A major component of the ayurvedic medicine Amrit kalash[ 301 ].

Known Hazards

None known