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Herb library · Spice · Xylopia aethiopica

Ethiopian pepper

The dried fruit of a West African tree, used as a culinary spice across Africa. No study has tested it as a medicine in people; the evidence is market testing, which found lead above the permitted limit in samples sold in Nigeria.

Traditional use

A culinary spice widely used in African countries, and sold in West African markets alongside other spices used in cooking and in herbal medicine. A 2022 review lists it among the spices used in Africa to manage high blood pressure.

What studies show

  • Insufficient

    Blood pressure and other traditional uses: laboratory and animal studies only. No study has tested it as a medicine in people.

Be careful of

Cautions

  • NoteLead: market samples from Awka, Nigeria, held lead 8 to 30 times the WHO/FAO permitted limit. The researchers estimated that daily intake from normal cooking use stayed below tolerable limits, but said it adds to the body's lead burden. Buy from a source that tests for heavy metals.
  • AmountIn a 90-day study in rats, the extract lowered platelet counts, and the authors warn about long-term use at higher doses. This has not been studied in people.
  • InteractionIn mice, the extract added to the effect of the antidepressants imipramine, fluoxetine and venlafaxine and lowered blood levels of imipramine. This has not been studied in people; ask before combining it with an antidepressant.
  • PregnancyThere is no safety information for medicinal use in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.

Sources

  1. Heavy metals hazards from Nigerian spices (Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig, 2016) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  2. Acute (14-Day) and Subchronic (90-Day) Toxicity Evaluation of the Dried Fruit Spice Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. (Annonaceae) in Male and Female Wistar Rats (J Toxicol, 2026) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  3. Investigation of Herb-Drug Interactions between Xylopia aethiopica, Its Principal Constituent Xylopic Acid, and Antidepressants (Adv Pharmacol Pharm Sci, 2024) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  4. Antibiofilm and Enzyme Inhibitory Potentials of Two Annonaceous Food Spices, African Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) and African Nutmeg (Monodora myristica) (2020) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
  5. A review of some common African spices with antihypertensive potential (J Food Biochem, 2022) (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026

Reviewed September 25, 2026.