Piper marginatum jacq. (Piperaceae): Phytochemical, therapeutic, botanical insecticidal and phytosanitary uses

Piper marginatum is a neotropical native plant found from Guatemala to Brazil including the Caribbean. This species is known for its healing properties in traditional medicine. It is employed for treating inflammation, malaria, wound healing, snakebites, pathologies related to bile or liver, dental caries, as a diurectic, sudoriferous agent, haemostatic, and for its analgesic effects. In foods it is used as a flavouring agent and a sweetener. It has been reported to have phytosanitary activity, thus it has been adopted as a botanical insecticide. This study gathers information regarding its taxonomic, etnobotanical, phytochemical, and toxicity properties. In addition, we apprise its phytosanitory activity and botanical insecticide use. Piper marginatum is an important plant species for the development of future alternative medicinal products.