Matico Oil

#### Matico Oil. The leaves of **Piper Matico **and a number of other **Matico **species of the genus Piperaceae have been used in medicine for a long time, and still appear in a number of Pharmacopoeias and Codex'es. The trees grow wild in many parts of South America, particularly in Brazil and Peru. Distillation, if it takes place at all, is not performed in the countries of origin. Brazil has no commercial production of **Matico Oil, **and the matico leaves collected in South America come from a number of species of matico trees, often without designation. The almost universal feature of the odor of matico leaves, regardless of their origin, is a strong, camphoraceous, pepperlike or minty odor with a pronounced woody undertone. The oil, when it was available, never attained any significant importance in perfumery or flavor work. The Matico Oils occasionally offered in the market today, are usually dark green, olive-green, dark amber or brownish colored, somewhat viscous liquids. The oils turn darker on ageing or upon exposure to daylight, air or iron. Matico oil can be produced upon request. The botanical material is at hand, but it is not always easy to determine the exact species of **Matico **used. Thus, it may be difficult to get a uniform quality of oil. **Matico Oil **has little or no application in flavor work.