The Piperaceae are small trees, shrubs or more or less woody vines. More than 2000 species are distinguished and classified into a few genera. Economically important is Piper nigrum (white and black pepper), P. betle (aromatic leaves are chewed), and P. cubeba (cubeb berries). Many species entered into the folk-medicine in tropical America. Ethereal oils, pungent amides, mono- and sesquiterpenes, phenyl propanoids, pyrones, polyphenols, lignans and alkaloids have been found in the family.

South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.