Spices · Spice
Pink peppercorn
Schinus terebinthifolia · also called Pink pepper, Brazilian pepper, baie rose, pimienta rosa (Spanish)
Pink peppercorn is the dried pink berry of a Schinus tree, used as a mild, slightly sweet spice. It is not true pepper: it belongs to the cashew family. No human study of its health effects was found, and the lab work is on extracts. The main caution is allergy: most cashew- or pistachio-allergic children in one small skin-test study reacted to it.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Pink peppercorn
Pink peppercorn is a mild, slightly sweet spice used for flavour. It is a flavouring, not a proven remedy, and the research is thin: lab work on extracts, one small allergy skin-test study and a few reviews. This page is smaller than most for that reason.
What it is
Pink peppercorns are the dried berries of trees in the genus Schinus. Most come from Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian pepper) or Schinus molle (Peruvian pepper tree). Both are accepted species in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), according to GBIF.
They are not related to black pepper. A 2025 review lists pink pepper among six unrelated spices that all go by the name pepper. Wikipedia says the name is also used for a third, unrelated plant, so a label does not always say which plant is inside.
No nutrition numbers are given. The site's USDA data file has no entry for pink peppercorn (not re-checked live), and a pinch of spice is flavour, not nutrition.
What the research shows
We found no human study of eating pink peppercorn for any health use. Lab and animal work exists on Peruvian pepper tree fruit extract (enzymes involved in starch digestion), on leaf extracts (antioxidant) and on a leaf oil (against a parasite in cell cultures). Those are extracts and oils, not the spice, and lab activity does not show a benefit in people.
A 2026 paper says research on the Peruvian pepper tree has been inconsistent for more than thirty years, partly because it was not clear which plant was being studied.
A flavour-industry expert panel judged some Schinus flavour extracts generally recognized as safe for food flavouring. That panel belongs to the flavour industry and the abstract does not name the species.
Food versus extracts and oils
Eating a pinch in a dish is very different from taking a concentrated extract or essential oil. The lab studies used leaves, oils and extracts. A 2023 lab analysis also found a cell-toxic acid (tentatively moronic acid) in pink pepper samples. This shows a compound is present, not that the spice harms people. Do not use extracts or oils as health products.
Amounts
This page gives no amounts to eat. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or allergist what is right for you.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Used whole or crushed as a mild spice in sauces, desserts and drinks
- In the Andes, the leaf of the related Peruvian pepper tree is used on the skin in traditional medicine (tradition, not proof)
Studied for research
- Food flavouring (industry panel judged some Schinus flavour extracts safe for flavour use), low certainty
- Blood sugar enzymes (lab and animal work on Peruvian pepper tree extract), insufficient evidence
- Antioxidant activity (lab work on leaf extract), insufficient evidence
- Antiparasite and antifungal activity (lab work on oils and extracts), insufficient evidence
- Any health use in people, insufficient evidence: no human trial found
Main compounds
- Moronic acid (tentative, in pink pepper samples)
- Isomasticadienonic acid (in Peruvian pepper tree extracts)
- Delta-3-carene (in leaf oil)
Common forms
- Dried whole berries as a spice
- Berries pickled in brine
- Leaf or fruit extract (lab studies only)
- Essential oil (lab studies only, not a food)
Research links: Skin test study: pink peppercorn in cashew and pistachio allergy (2019) · Brazilian peppertree and contact allergy (Cutis, 2024) · Review: Schinus molle and blood sugar (2025) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Schinus terebinthifolia
- Naming authority
- Raddi (GBIF accepted)
- Common names
- Pink peppercorn (English); Pink pepper (English); Brazilian pepper (English); Peruvian pepper (Schinus molle berries) (English); Baie rose (French); Pimienta rosa (Spanish); Aroeira (Portuguese)
- Family or group
- Anacardiaceae, the cashew family (GBIF), which also includes cashew, pistachio, mango, poison ivy and poison oak (the dermatology paper names poison ivy and poison oak as relatives).
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Sapindales > Anacardiaceae > Schinus > Schinus terebinthifolia
- Native range
- Wikipedia (via the existing summary) gives the Brazilian pepper tree's native range as Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay; not re-read from a primary source.
- Habitat
- Not verified from a source read. The dermatology paper says Brazilian peppertree has invaded territory throughout the world, including the south-eastern and western United States.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: The dried berries are small and bright pink (existing summary, from a spice seller and Wikipedia). Pickled berries look dull green.
- Cultivation
- Not verified from a source read.
- Harvest and processing
- Sold dried, or less often pickled in brine (existing summary). Not re-verified.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Peruvian pepper tree berries (Schinus molle); Note: Sold under the same name and often blended with ordinary pepper (Wikipedia). Results from one species may not apply to the other.; Name: Black pepper (Piper nigrum); Note: Not related: black pepper is from a different plant family. The 2025 review lists pink pepper and black pepper among six unrelated spices all called pepper.; Name: Other plants called baie rose; Note: Wikipedia says the traditional French baie rose is a different plant (Euonymus phellomanus), so the label does not always say which plant is inside. This page does not cover it.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed. Wikipedia and the dermatology paper describe Brazilian peppertree as invasive in the United States; this was not checked at a primary source.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Frontiers in Pharmacology 2026 (abstract read) | ||
| Wikipedia (secondary) |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moronic acid (tentative) | triterpenoid acid | Berry Not given | A tentatively assigned cell-toxic compound in pink pepper samples (lab method paper). 7 | Laboratory research |
| Isomasticadienonic acid and masazino-flavanone | triterpenoid and flavanone | S. molle fruit extract fractions Not given | Named as major components of active fractions of S. molle in the antidiabetic review (lab work). 2 | Laboratory research |
| Delta-3-carene | monoterpene | Leaf essential oil 14.8% of the leaf oil | Main component of the leaf essential oil studied against a parasite (lab). 6 | Laboratory research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starch-digesting enzymes | Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase | A methanol extract of S. molle fruits blocked both enzymes in the lab. 2 | Laboratory research |
| Immune sensitization | Not identified (authors want to find the major allergen) | Most cashew- or pistachio-allergic children tested had a positive skin test to pink peppercorn, in line with the family relationship. 10 | Human data |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not found.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The lab studies used leaf extracts, a leaf oil, isolated compounds or fruit extracts, not a pinch of dried berries in food. Results for extracts and oils do not carry over to the spice, and the spice's safety judgement (FEMA flavour use) does not carry over to supplements.
Nutritional composition
No nutrition numbers are given. The existing page says USDA SR Legacy has no entry for pink peppercorn, taken from the site's USDA data file; a live check on 2026-10-26 failed because the USDA service returned a rate-limit error, so the absence was not re-verified. A pinch of spice is flavour, not nutrition.
1 low certainty5 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 6 benefits and uses checked for Pink peppercorn, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Use as a food flavouringLow certainty
- Blood sugar (lab and animal work on Peruvian pepper tree extracts)Not enough evidence
- Antioxidant activity (lab work on leaf extracts)Not enough evidence
- Antiparasite and antifungal activity (lab work on oils and extracts)Not enough evidence
- Traditional use of the Peruvian pepper tree (molle)Not enough evidence
- Any health use in peopleNot enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Skin-prick test reaction to pink peppercorn (in people allergic to cashew or pistachio)
What is Pink peppercorn good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. There is no human trial for any of them, and most results are lab work on extracts, not on the spice.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Use as a food flavouring
Low certaintyPink peppercorn is mostly a flavouring: the dried berries are used whole or crushed in sauces, desserts and drinks. An expert panel of the flavour industry judged some natural flavour extracts from the Schinus genus as generally recognized as safe for food flavouring. That is a statement about flavouring use, not a health benefit.
2 studiesFlavour extracts, not supplements.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
The FEMA expert panel (2026) determined or affirmed 35 natural flavor complexes from several genera, including Schinus, as generally recognized as safe under their conditions of intended use as flavoring ingredients. The scope excludes dietary supplements.
Results
A GRAS judgement for flavour use by an industry-run panel. The abstract does not name the Schinus species or parts. Wikipedia says neither Schinus pink peppercorn species has FDA GRAS status; that is a secondary-source statement not checked on an FDA page.
Why this rating
Low: one expert-panel paper from the flavour industry body, species not named in the abstract; the FDA position was not read directly.
Form and dose studied
Flavour extracts, not supplements.
Limits
Industry body (FEMA). Does not cover people with cashew or pistachio allergy, and does not cover supplements.
Why researchers looked
Spices with a long culinary use are checked for safety as flavourings.
Traditional use
Eaten as a spice. Long use in cooking is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
Not a mechanism question: this is a safety judgement for flavour use.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab for the allergy caution, which matters more than this flavouring judgement.
Blood sugar (lab and animal work on Peruvian pepper tree extracts)
Not enough evidenceLab tests of Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) fruit extract show it can block starch-digesting enzymes. This has not been tested in people. Nothing here shows that eating pink peppercorn changes blood sugar.
2 studiesMethanol extract of fruits in the lab; not the spice as eaten.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Lab and animal results for an extract of one of the two pink peppercorn species. No human trial was found for either species.
Effect sizes as reported
Lab enzyme inhibition 77.49% (alpha-amylase) and 86.45% (alpha-glucosidase), dose-dependent.
Why this rating
Insufficient: lab and animal work only, on an extract from one species, with no human trial.
Form and dose studied
Methanol extract of fruits in the lab; not the spice as eaten.
Limits
Test-tube and rat work. Concentrated extract. S. molle, not S. terebinthifolia.
Why researchers looked
The tree is used in traditional medicine in South America, including for diabetes, so researchers test its extracts.
Traditional use
The review says pirul has been used as a food condiment, in drinks and chewing gums, and for diabetes in traditional medicine.
Proposed mechanism In vitro and animal
In the lab, a methanol extract of S. molle fruits from Tunisia blocked alpha-amylase (77.49%) and alpha-glucosidase (86.45%), enzymes that break down starch. A dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect was seen in rat paw swelling, and the extract showed moderate antioxidant activity.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
This does not replace diabetes care. The review says toxicology studies are still pending.
Antioxidant activity (lab work on leaf extracts)
Not enough evidenceLeaf extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius showed antioxidant activity in test-tube work. The leaf is not the berry used as a spice, and a test-tube result does not show an effect in people.
1 studiesLeaf extract in the lab.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Leaf extracts were antioxidant in the lab (EC50 6.5 to 23.6 micrograms/mL) and also toxic to cancer cell lines. This is a drug-discovery finding, not a food finding.
Effect sizes as reported
Lab EC50 6.5 to 23.6 micrograms/mL.
Why this rating
Insufficient: lab and computer study of a leaf extract only.
Form and dose studied
Leaf extract in the lab.
Limits
Not the fruit; not people; not a food amount.
Why researchers looked
Researchers profile the compounds in the leaf to look for drug leads.
Traditional use
Pink peppercorn is eaten as a spice. Long use in cooking is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism In vitro and computer
The abstract names flavonoids and saponins as major groups and reports antioxidant activity, enzyme inhibition and cell toxicity, supported by computer docking. No human mechanism is shown.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not use leaf extracts or oils as a health product; their safety in people is not established.
Antiparasite and antifungal activity (lab work on oils and extracts)
Not enough evidenceIn the lab, a concentrated leaf oil of Schinus terebinthifolia acted against a parasite in cell cultures, and a review says compounds from the cashew family show promise against Candida. None of this has been tested in people.
2 studiesLeaf essential oil and compounds from the cashew family.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
Active in cell cultures at IC50 18.2 and 15.0 micrograms/mL against two parasite forms. The Candida review covers lab tests of the whole cashew family and does not name pink peppercorn.
Effect sizes as reported
Lab IC50 15.0 to 18.2 micrograms/mL.
Why this rating
Insufficient: lab studies of concentrated oil and compounds; no animal or human test read.
Form and dose studied
Leaf essential oil and compounds from the cashew family.
Limits
Concentrated oil toxic to host cells in the same study. Not a food amount.
Why researchers looked
Essential oils and plant compounds are screened for new anti-infective drugs.
Traditional use
Pink peppercorn is eaten as a spice. Long use in cooking is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
The leaf oil disrupted the parasite's mitochondrial membrane potential and redox state in culture. The oil was about four times more toxic to the host mouse cells than to the parasite according to the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Essential oil is not a food product. Do not swallow it as a remedy.
Traditional use of the Peruvian pepper tree (molle)
Not enough evidenceIn the Andes the leaf of the Peruvian pepper tree is traditionally used on the skin for pain and swelling, and a drink was made from molle in ancient times. This is tradition and history, not proof of benefit.
2 studiesLeaf use on the skin (tradition); a fermented drink (archaeology).
Studies, doses and limits
Results
A hypothesis and history paper. It says more than three decades of research on S. molle gave inconsistent results and no reproducible drug candidate, partly because the plant's identity was not well defined.
Why this rating
Insufficient: traditional use and a hypothesis; no trial.
Form and dose studied
Leaf use on the skin (tradition); a fermented drink (archaeology).
Limits
Not a trial; about S. molle leaf, not the berry spice.
Why researchers looked
Researchers try to link traditional use with modern lab findings.
Traditional use
Pink peppercorn is eaten as a spice. Long use in cooking is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Hypothesis by authors
The authors say modern pharmacology has begun to report activities consistent with the traditional external use, and also activities the tradition never described. They call their idea a hypothesis to be tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not put leaves, sap or oils on skin: the plant relatives cause contact allergy (see Safety tab).
Any health use in people
Not enough evidenceNo human trial of pink peppercorn, or of an extract of its trees, was found for any health use in the searches run. The question is open, not proven either way.
2 studiesFood or extract.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
The Schinus molle review says clinical trials in people with diabetes are still pending, and the hypothesis paper says no reproducible drug candidate has emerged.
Why this rating
Insufficient: no human trial of food or extract was found.
Form and dose studied
Food or extract.
Limits
Searches were limited (a few PubMed queries and the existing summary).
Why researchers looked
Researchers have so far worked only in labs and animals.
Traditional use
Pink peppercorn is eaten as a spice. Long use in cooking is not proof that it treats any condition.
Proposed mechanism Gap
Not applicable: there is no human evidence to explain.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No evidence of benefit from food amounts or supplements.
Connections to the rest of health
How Pink peppercorn connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Use as a food flavouring | 4 15 |
| Endocrine System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood sugar (lab and animal work on Peruvian pepper tree extracts) | 2 8 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Antioxidant activity (lab work on leaf extracts) Studied for: Traditional use of the Peruvian pepper tree (molle) | 8 9 11 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Antiparasite and antifungal activity (lab work on oils and extracts) | 6 3 |
| Whole Body | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Any health use in people | 2 9 |
C. Body parts and organs
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | Cashew family; skin-test cross-sensitization in most cashew- or pistachio-allergic children tested; eating tests not done. Cashew family; most cashew- or pistachio-allergic children tested had a positive skin test to it. Preparation or compound: Pink peppercorn as a spice |
10 |
| Contact dermatitis | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | The plant can cause a poison-ivy-like skin allergy; the dried spice was not addressed. Preparation or compound: Brazilian peppertree plant |
11 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin-prick test reaction to pink peppercorn (in people allergic to cashew or pistachio) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: increased. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 5 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashew and pistachio allergy | Preliminary mechanism | Human | Same plant family; skin-test cross-sensitization found in most allergic children tested. | 10 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moronic acid (tentative) | Biological association | In vitro | A tentatively assigned cell-toxic compound in pink pepper samples (lab method paper). Preparation or compound: Berry |
7 |
| Isomasticadienonic acid and masazino-flavanone | Biological association | In vitro | Named as major components of active fractions of S. molle in the antidiabetic review (lab work). Preparation or compound: S. molle fruit extract fractions |
2 |
| Delta-3-carene | Biological association | In vitro | Main component of the leaf essential oil studied against a parasite (lab). Preparation or compound: Leaf essential oil |
6 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what the research found for 6 outcomes
Each outcome below is one thing researchers measured. Certainty is how far the evidence can be trusted, not how well it works. The full studies are on the next tab.
The evidence
The research centre for Pink peppercorn. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing pink peppercorn summary, matched both Schinus species at GBIF, re-read Wikipedia's text and searched PubMed, reading abstracts only. One allergy report had no abstract. Little research exists, so this page is shorter than most. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
Study library: every study we checked 15
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Díaz-Guerrero 2025 "Pepper": Different Spices, One Name-Analysis of Sensory and Biological Aspects. Molecules · PMID 40363698 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Not applicable | Six spices called pepper, including pink pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) Spice |
The review lists pink pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) among six unrelated spices that are all called pepper. It says sensory analysis of these spices has not been completed. Not applicable (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Sensory and biological aspects Limitations: Abstract only; no pink-pepper-specific health finding is stated in it. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Fonseca 2025 Antidiabetic Properties of the Tropical Tree Schinus molle L. (pirul): A Comprehensive Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) · PMID 41304906 · DOI |
Narrative review in-vitro-and-animal |
Not applicable (lab and animal studies) | Schinus molle extracts (a methanol extract of Tunisian fruits is one example) Fruit, leaf and other parts |
A methanol extract of S. molle fruits from Tunisia blocked the starch-digesting enzymes alpha-amylase (77.49%) and alpha-glucosidase (86.45%) in the lab, and reduced paw swelling in rats. The authors say the tree appears safe in acute and subchronic animal tests, and that toxicology studies and clinical trials in people with diabetes are still pending. Enzyme inhibition 77.49% and 86.45% (lab) (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antidiabetic mechanisms in lab and animal work Limitations: Lab and animal work with extracts, not people and not the spice as eaten. It is about S. molle, not S. terebinthifolia. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Guerra 2025 Anacardiaceae Family: Effect of Isolated Compounds and Other Identified Phytochemicals Against Clinically Relevant Candida Species-A Short Review. Antibiotics (Basel) · PMID 40149118 · DOI |
Narrative review in-vitro |
Not applicable (lab studies) | Extracts, essential oils and isolated compounds from the cashew family (Anacardiaceae) Various |
The review says compounds isolated from Anacardiaceae species show promise for future antifungal drugs, based on lab tests (minimum inhibitory concentration and similar). The abstract does not name pink peppercorn. Not applicable (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Anti-Candida activity in the lab Limitations: Whole-family review of lab tests; pink peppercorn is not named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Hecht 2026 FEMA GRAS assessment of natural flavor complexes: Pepper, ginger, coniferous-derived and related flavoring ingredients. Food Chem Toxicol · PMID 41390051 · DOI |
Expert panel assessment n/a |
Not applicable | 35 natural flavor complexes from several plant genera, Schinus among them Flavor extracts |
The FEMA expert panel determined or affirmed 35 natural flavor complexes, including some from the Schinus genus, as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) under their conditions of intended use as flavoring ingredients. The scope does not include dietary supplements or products other than food. 35 complexes judged GRAS for flavor use (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety of the flavor complexes as flavoring ingredients Limitations: The abstract does not say which Schinus species or parts were assessed. The panel belongs to the flavor industry body FEMA, and two authors are FEMA staff. Funding and conflicts: Authors from the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA); a competing-interests statement is present, its details were not read. Read: abstract |
| Marquart 2025 Cross-reactivity in the Anacardiaceae Family: Pink Peppercorn Tolerance in a Pistachio-Allergic Patient. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol · PMID 40737074 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One pistachio-allergic patient (from the title) |
Pink peppercorn (from the title) Fruit (spice) |
Only the title was read: it describes tolerance of pink peppercorn in a pistachio-allergic patient. Details were not read. Not available (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Not stated: PubMed lists no abstract Limitations: No abstract; one patient. Do not read it as showing that pink peppercorn is safe for people with pistachio or cashew allergy. Funding and conflicts: Not stated Read: title-only |
| Monzote 2026 Antileishmanial Activity of Schinus terebinthifolia Essential Oil: Chemistry, In Vitro and Mechanistic Studies. Molecules · PMID 41976168 · DOI |
Laboratory study in-vitro |
Not applicable (parasite and mouse cell cultures) | Essential oil from S. terebinthifolia leaves Leaf essential oil · vs Untreated and DMSO controls |
78 compounds were found; the main one was delta-3-carene (14.8%). The oil was active against the parasite forms in culture (IC50 18.2 and 15.0 micrograms/mL), but about four times more toxic to the host mouse cells than to the parasite according to the abstract. IC50 18.2 and 15.0 micrograms/mL (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Activity against Leishmania amazonensis Limitations: Cell-culture study of a concentrated leaf oil. The oil was toxic to the host cells too. Not a food amount. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Mügge 2023 Chemical and cytotoxicity profiles of 11 pink pepper (Schinus spp.) samples via non-targeted hyphenated high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Metabolomics · PMID 37130976 · DOI |
Laboratory study in-vitro |
11 commercial pink pepper samples (lab analysis) | Extracts of pink pepper berries (Schinus terebinthifolia or S. molle) Fruit (spice) |
The abstract says classic lab studies had shown cell-killing (cytotoxic) properties of fat-soluble fruit extracts. The new method found a cytotoxic zone tentatively assigned to moronic acid, a triterpenoid acid, in the samples. Moronic acid tentatively assigned (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cytotoxic compounds in pink pepper Limitations: Lab method paper: it shows a compound that harms cultured cells is present. It does not show harm to people from eating the spice. Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract |
| Nguyen 2026 Free and bound phenolic extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius leaves: phytochemical profiling and in vitro-in silico bioactivity investigations. Nat Prod Res · PMID 41841519 |
Laboratory study in-vitro-and-computer |
Not applicable (lab and computer study) | Leaf extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius Leaf (not the fruit used as a spice) |
The extracts blocked alpha-glucosidase (IC50 0.2 to 2.0 micrograms/mL), reduced nitric oxide production (IC50 2.1 to 3.2), showed antioxidant activity (EC50 6.5 to 23.6) and were toxic to cancer cell lines (IC50 11.8 to 155.1) in the lab; computer modelling supported this. Authors call the extracts promising for drug discovery. Lab IC50 and EC50 values (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Compounds present; enzyme, antioxidant and cell activity Limitations: Leaf extracts in test tubes and computer models. Cell toxicity is also a warning sign: lab activity does not mean benefit in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| Puelles-Díaz 2026 The Mulli Hypothesis: an ethnobiological framework for studying the phytopharmaceutical potential of Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae). Front Pharmacol · PMID 42761140 · DOI |
Narrative review n/a |
Not applicable | Schinus molle (molle, mulli) Leaf and other parts |
The authors say research on S. molle has been inconsistent over more than three decades and no reproducible drug candidate has emerged, partly because the plant's identity was never well defined. They say Andean ethnomedicine records external pain-relief and anti-inflammatory use of the leaf, and that chicha de molle (a drink) was made at the Wari site Cerro Baul. Not applicable (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Historical, archaeological and ethnobotanical record Limitations: A hypothesis paper, not a trial. It warns that species identity may explain why results differ. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts (statement partly read). Read: abstract |
| Too 2019 Cross-reactivity of pink peppercorn in cashew and pistachio allergic individuals. Asia Pac Allergy · PMID 31384580 · DOI |
Cohort descriptive |
21 21 children with a history of reaction to cashew and/or pistachio |
Skin prick test with pink peppercorn (Schinus terebinthifolius) Fruit (spice) Single test |
16 of 21 (76.2%) showed cross-sensitization to pink peppercorn. None knew of earlier exposure or reactions to it. An eating test was not done for ethical reasons, so real reactions are not shown. 16/21 (76.2%) skin-test positive (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin-prick sensitization to pink peppercorn; no oral food challenge Limitations: Small descriptive study; sensitization on a skin test is not proof of an allergic reaction when eaten. Funding and conflicts: Authors report no financial conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Waggett 2024 Brazilian Peppertree: Watch Out for This Lesser-Known Relative of Poison Ivy. Cutis · PMID 39159348 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Not applicable | Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia), the plant Plant contact |
The paper says Brazilian peppertree, like poison ivy and poison oak, causes allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people, and that doctors in areas where it grows should know how to recognise and treat it. Not applicable (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin allergy (allergic contact dermatitis) Limitations: Abstract only. It is about contact with the plant, not eating the dried spice. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| s-gbif-schinus-molle GBIF Backbone: Schinus molle L. (usageKey 3190642) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-gbif-schinus-terebinthifolia GBIF Backbone: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (usageKey 3660419) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-none USDA FoodData Central: no entry found for pink peppercorn · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: not-checked | ||
| s-wikipedia-pink-peppercorn Wikipedia: Pink peppercorn · Source |
Secondary source n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of eating pink peppercorn, or of any Schinus extract, was found for any health use in people.
- Whether eating the spice causes real allergic reactions in cashew- or pistachio-allergic people has not been shown by eating tests; the 2025 tolerance case report had no abstract.
- Most lab work used leaves, oils or Peruvian pepper tree extracts, not the Brazilian pepper berries or the spice as eaten.
- The FDA position and the child vomiting reports come from Wikipedia only and were not checked in primary sources.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, medicine interactions, heavy metals, aflatoxin and pesticide residues were not researched; the USDA absence was not re-checked live.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 1
Skin-prick test reaction to pink peppercorn (in people allergic to cashew or pistachio)
Increased in trials
A small skin test where a drop of allergen is pricked into the skin; a raised bump shows the immune system is sensitised to it.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Pink peppercorn is in the cashew family, so doctors ask whether people allergic to cashew or pistachio react to it.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Shows possible cross-reactivity on a skin test. It is not proof that eating the spice causes a reaction.
Safety implication
People with cashew or pistachio allergy should ask an allergist before trying it.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 16 of 21 (76.2%) had a positive skin test (cross-sensitization); none knew of earlier contact with pink peppercorn; no eating test was done | 21 children with a history of reaction to cashew and/or pistachio | Skin prick test with Schinus terebinthifolius |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Cashew and pistachio allergy: ask an allergist before trying pink peppercorn. Pink peppercorn is a fruit of the cashew family (Anacardiaceae). In a small skin-prick study, 16 of 21 children with a history of reaction to cashew and/or pistachio (76.2%) showed cross-sensitization to pink peppercorn, and none knew of earlier contact with it. No eating test was done, so real reactions are not shown. A 2025 case report is titled as tolerance in a pistachio-allergic patient; its abstract could not be read. Wikipedia says the spice may cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in people with a tree nut allergy. Observational 10 5 15
- Relatives of poison ivy: the plant can cause skin allergy, and the berries have caused stomach upset. A 2024 dermatology paper says Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia), like poison ivy and poison oak, causes allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible people. That paper is about contact with the plant, not the dried spice. Wikipedia says young children have had vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the fruit, and that in 1982 the FDA banned imports of Brazilian peppercorns from France over poison-ivy-like reactions (later lifted). Narrative review 11 15
- Culinary amounts are not supplements. The safety statements here are about the spice used in cooking. Extracts, essential oils and leaf preparations are concentrated, were studied only in labs and animals, and have no established safety in people. A 2023 lab study found a cell-toxic triterpenoid acid (tentatively moronic acid) in pink pepper samples. Laboratory research 7 2
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive skin-prick test (sensitization) in cashew- or pistachio-allergic children A skin test shows sensitization, not necessarily a reaction when eaten. No eating test was done. | 16 of 21 (76.2%) in one small study | not stated Not applicable | Observational 10 |
| Allergic contact dermatitis from the plant Contact with the Brazilian peppertree plant, not the dried spice. | Not stated | not stated Not stated in the abstract | Narrative review 11 |
| Vomiting and diarrhoea in young children after eating the fruit A secondary-source statement, not checked in a primary paper. It concerns the fruit of the Peruvian pepper tree according to the Wikipedia text. | Records exist (Wikipedia; primary report not read) | not stated Not stated | Secondary source 15 |
Liver
No liver injury from pink peppercorn as a spice was found. A liver-safety source (such as LiverTox) was not searched.
How often. No frequency was found.
Monitoring. No agency monitoring advice was found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Pink peppercorn supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines in general prescription | No interaction between pink peppercorn and any medicine was found in the sources read. | Unknown: not studied, so absence of a warning is not proof of safety. | None found Not enough evidence | If you take medicines and want more than a flavouring amount, ask a pharmacist. Do not use extracts or oils. |
Who should check first 3
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Allergy to cashew, pistachio, mango or other tree nuts and related foods | Ask an allergist before using it. Cross-sensitization was common in a small skin-test study. | Observational 10 |
| Known contact allergy to poison ivy, poison oak or mango skin | Avoid handling the fresh plant, sap and berries; the paper says the plant causes the same kind of skin allergy. Whether the dried spice does is not stated. | Narrative review 11 |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children | No source read gives pregnancy or breastfeeding safety, so ask a doctor or midwife. Go carefully with small children given the vomiting reports. | Secondary source 15 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No harm from the spice used in ordinary cooking was established, but little safety research exists. Concentrated preparations are not shown to be safe in people.
Animal. The Schinus molle review says the tree appears safe in acute and subchronic animal tests.
Human doses studied. No human study of eating pink peppercorn was found.
High dose or long term signals. A lab analysis found a cell-toxic triterpenoid acid in pink pepper samples; this shows a compound is present, not that eating the spice harms people. A leaf oil was also toxic to the host cells in a lab test.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
Toxic or hazardous parts. Wikipedia says the fruit and leaves of the Peruvian pepper tree are potentially poisonous to poultry, pigs and possibly calves (secondary source).
Labels do not always say which plant is inside, and pink peppercorn is often blended.
Mix-ups between species. Wikipedia says the berries of the Peruvian pepper tree (Schinus molle) are sold as pink peppercorns and often blended with ordinary pepper; Brazilian pepper berries are also sold under the name. A 2025 review lists pink pepper among six unrelated spices all called pepper. The hypothesis paper says species identity may explain why results differ. 1 9 15
Heavy metals, aflatoxin and pesticide residues. Not researched for pink peppercorn in this page.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| FEMA Expert Panel (flavour industry body) (United States) | Determined or affirmed 35 natural flavor complexes, including some from the Schinus genus, as generally recognized as safe for flavoring use; dietary supplements are outside its scope source | 2026-05 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat, widespread hives, or fainting soon after eating it (call emergency services)
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhoea in a small child after eating the berries
- Spreading itchy, blistering rash after handling the plant or berries
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is pink peppercorn?
Is pink peppercorn the same as black pepper?
No. Black pepper comes from a different plant family. A 2025 review lists pink pepper and black pepper among six unrelated spices that share the name pepper.
Is pink peppercorn related to cashews?
I am allergic to cashews. Can I eat pink peppercorn?
Can pink peppercorn cause anaphylaxis?
Wikipedia says it may cause allergic reactions including anaphylaxis in people with tree nut allergy. We did not read a primary case report for this. If lips, face or throat swell or breathing is hard, call emergency services.
Is the plant a relative of poison ivy?
Yes, in the same family. A 2024 dermatology paper says Brazilian peppertree can cause allergic contact dermatitis like poison ivy. It is about contact with the plant, not the dried spice.
Is pink peppercorn good for blood sugar?
Not shown. A fruit extract of the Peruvian pepper tree blocked starch-digesting enzymes in the lab, but trials in people with diabetes are still pending. This does not replace diabetes care.
Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No source we read says. Ask a doctor or midwife.
Can I take it with medicines?
No interaction was found in the sources read, but it has not been studied, so that is not proof of safety. Ask a pharmacist, especially before any extract or oil.
Is it safe for children?
Wikipedia says young children have had vomiting and diarrhoea after eating the fruit. This is a secondary-source statement. Go carefully with small children and ask a doctor if unsure.
Is the pink pepper on the shelf always the same plant?
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing pink peppercorn summary, matched both Schinus species at GBIF, re-read Wikipedia's text and searched PubMed, reading abstracts only. One allergy report had no abstract. Little research exists, so this page is shorter than most. Items we could not verify are flagged in the research gaps.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 15
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Díaz-Guerrero P, Panzani S, Sanmartin C, et al.. "Pepper": Different Spices, One Name-Analysis of Sensory and Biological Aspects.. Molecules. 2025. PMID 40363698. DOI 10.3390/molecules30091891. (abstract)
- Fonseca RM, Huerta-Reyes M. Antidiabetic Properties of the Tropical Tree Schinus molle L. (pirul): A Comprehensive Review.. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2025. PMID 41304906. DOI 10.3390/ph18111661. (abstract)
- Guerra RNM, Oliveira AS, Farias JR, et al.. Anacardiaceae Family: Effect of Isolated Compounds and Other Identified Phytochemicals Against Clinically Relevant Candida Species-A Short Review.. Antibiotics (Basel). 2025. PMID 40149118. DOI 10.3390/antibiotics14030308. (abstract)
- Hecht SS, Cohen SM, Eisenbrand G, et al.. FEMA GRAS assessment of natural flavor complexes: Pepper, ginger, coniferous-derived and related flavoring ingredients.. Food Chem Toxicol. 2026. PMID 41390051. DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115849. (abstract)
- Marquart E, Kinaciyan T. Cross-reactivity in the Anacardiaceae Family: Pink Peppercorn Tolerance in a Pistachio-Allergic Patient.. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2025. PMID 40737074. DOI 10.18176/jiaci.1097. (title-only)
- Monzote L, Betancourt L, Scull R, et al.. Antileishmanial Activity of Schinus terebinthifolia Essential Oil: Chemistry, In Vitro and Mechanistic Studies.. Molecules. 2026. PMID 41976168. DOI 10.3390/molecules31071125. (abstract)
- Mügge FLB, Morlock GE. Chemical and cytotoxicity profiles of 11 pink pepper (Schinus spp.) samples via non-targeted hyphenated high-performance thin-layer chromatography.. Metabolomics. 2023. PMID 37130976. DOI 10.1007/s11306-023-02008-8. (abstract)
- Nguyen VK, Hoang LT, Dong PS, et al.. Free and bound phenolic extracts of Schinus terebinthifolius leaves: phytochemical profiling and in vitro-in silico bioactivity investigations.. Nat Prod Res. 2026. PMID 41841519. (abstract)
- Puelles-Díaz A, Di Pasquo M, Zuluaga CB. The Mulli Hypothesis: an ethnobiological framework for studying the phytopharmaceutical potential of Schinus molle (Anacardiaceae).. Front Pharmacol. 2026. PMID 42761140. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2026.1939043. (abstract)
- Too JJY, Shek LP, Rajakulendran M. Cross-reactivity of pink peppercorn in cashew and pistachio allergic individuals.. Asia Pac Allergy. 2019. PMID 31384580. DOI 10.5415/apallergy.2019.9.e25. (abstract)
- Waggett SM, McGovern TW. Brazilian Peppertree: Watch Out for This Lesser-Known Relative of Poison Ivy.. Cutis. 2024. PMID 39159348. DOI 10.12788/cutis.1060. (abstract)
- . GBIF Backbone: Schinus molle L. (usageKey 3190642). . . (full-text)
- . GBIF Backbone: Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi (usageKey 3660419). . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: no entry found for pink peppercorn. . . (not-checked)
- . Wikipedia: Pink peppercorn. . . (full-text)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Whole or ground: whole spices keep their flavor longer
- The origin and a packed-on or best-by date for freshness
- Organic or non-irradiated labeling if that matters to you
- A resealable, airtight container
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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