Description
· A glabrous climbing vine reaching a height of 2 to 4 m.
· Upper leaves ovate, 10 to 13 cm long, mostly 7 nerved from near the base, the pair of nerves free to the base, apex acuminate, base somewhat inequilaterally rounded or cordate, the petioles 1.5 to 2.5 cm long sheathing.
· Flowers: male spikes about as long as the leaves, about 2 mm in diameter, the rachis hirsute. Female spikes, when mature, red fleshy 2 to 4 cm long, 0.5 to 1 cm thick.
· Fruits: drupes

Distribution
Cultivated throughout the Philippines.
Wild in most provinces of Luzon.

Parts utilized and preparation
Vines and leaves.
May be collected throughout the year.
Rinse, cut into pieces, sun-dry.

Characteristics and Pharmacological Effects:
Pungent tasting and warming.
Relieves gastrointestinal disorders.
Flatulence or tympanism: Spread oil on leaf, warm, and apply on abdomen.
Antitussive.

Constituents
Volatile oil, 0.8 - 1.8% - chavicol, betelphenol, eugenol, allyl pyrocatechin, terpene, cineol, caryophyllene, cadinene, menthone.

Folkloric Uses
· Rheumatic bone pains
· Gastric pain due to exposure to wind, indigestion.
· Bronchial asthma.
· Dosage: use 9 to 15 gms dried material or 30 to 60 gms fresh material in decoction.
- Applied as a poultice (dikdik-tapal) on the stomach of infants for colic; for skin inflammation
- Others: Dabbed with small amounts of apog (lime) and wrapped around a betel nut, chewed as "nga-nga."

Availability
Wild-crafted.