• Cordoncillo Negro

This is a type of medicinal plant usually found in parts of Europe, Central America, Caribbean and South America. They grow mostly in tropical rainforests and semi-evergreen forests. The cordincillo negro is a shrub. Its leaves give off a spicy smell when squeezed and a bitter taste when chewed. This herb is made up of active chemicals like flavonoids, monoterpenes, heterocycles, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, and benzenoids. Recently, a group of chemicals known as “chromenes” were discovered in the leaves of the cordoncillo negro – these substances help to fight cancer cells and bacteria. The bark and leaves of the cordoncillo negro plant are used for medicinal purposes – the leaves can either be dried before usage or used while they are still fresh. They are grown as medicinal plants in countries like Peru, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, etc. However, in the rainforests, their seeds are easily dispersed by birds, making them multiply so rapidly.

Furthermore, the cordoncillo negro plant is also known as matico, aperta-ruão, bamboo piper, cordoncillo, erba di soldato, erva-de-jaboti, soldier’s herb, spiked pepper, etc. Locals started calling the plant “matico” after a Spanish soldier – who got injured while fighting in Peru – used its leaves to stop his wounds from bleeding any further. The soldier’s name was Matico.

Uses Of Cordoncillo Negro

As a medicinal plant, the cordoncillo negro has several important uses. Before the plant can be used for medicinal purposes, its leaves are traditionally prepared in infusions, fluid extracts, tinctures, and capsules. Below are some of the curative uses of cordoncillo negro:

• Cordoncillo can be used as a painkiller. Chewing on the leaves of cordoncillo anesthetizes the mouth. So if you squeeze and rub these leaves over a cut or wound, it can serve as an anaesthetic.
• It can be used to treat digestion problems like vomiting, nausea, stomach ache, dyspepsia, dysentery, etc.
• Cordincillo can serve as a carminative and help the stomach get rid of intestinal gas, to make digestion easier.
• It can be used as an antiseptic to dress wounds, cuts, scrapes, ulcers, boils, leech bites, mouth wash etc.
• It can also be used to prevent blood loss from internal bleeding (uterine, gastric, pulmonary).
• Cordoncillo can cure respiratory problems like colds, flu, coughs, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
• It helps the body to get rid of bacterial infections.
• It can be used to treat sexual dysfunction, including genitourinary tract infections.
• Cordoncillo can also be a remedy for gonorrhoea, syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Helps to keep the kidney (prevents kidney stones) and liver healthy.

How The Cordoncillo Negro Plant Is Used In Different Places

• Amazon: For people who live in the Amazon, the cordoncillo negro is basically a wound healer – they use it to halt bleeding, prevent infections and speed-up the healing of wounds. To fasten the healing process, the leaves are crushed and applied directly on the wound or the wound is cleaned by a liquid mixture is obtained from the leaves.

• Peru: In Peru, the cordoncillo negro is majorly used to treat stomach disorders including vomiting, stomach ache, gastric ulcer, stomach cancer, dyspepsia, diarrhoea and intestine gas.

NOTE: We highly recommend that before using any herbal medications you should consult your health care provider or medical doctor for professional advice.