Wild Harvested Australian Lancet Extract

Wild Harvested Australian Lancet Extract (Tasmannia lanceolata)

Tasmannia lanceolata, commonly known as Tasmanian Pepperberry, has a long history of traditional use by Aboriginal Australians and was one of the first Australian native plants adopted into European colonial medicine and cuisine.

Tasmannia lanceolata is characterised by a distinctive peppery heat due to naturally occurring polygodial — a sesquiterpene dialdehyde unique to the Winteraceae family. It is one of the most extensively researched Australian native botanicals in contemporary botanical science, with peer-reviewed research confirming potent antimicrobial activity. This extract is wildcrafted and prepared in 60% alcohol from Tasmannia lanceolata fruit.

Traditional Herbal Use

Immune & Antimicrobial Wellness

Tasmannia lanceolata has a long traditional history of use by Aboriginal Australians for immune and antimicrobial wellness. In a landmark study published in Pharmacognosy Magazine (Cock et al., 2015), T. lanceolata fruit was identified as the single most effective inhibitor of Proteus mirabilis growth among 40 Australian plant species tested — with MIC values of just 11 µg/ml (methanolic) and 126 µg/ml (aqueous). All extracts were confirmed non-toxic or of low toxicity in bioassay testing.

Inflammatory & Musculoskeletal Wellness

Tasmannia lanceolata has a traditional history of use in Aboriginal medicine for inflammatory and musculoskeletal wellness. Its naturally occurring polygodial and phenolic content have generated research interest in the context of inflammatory wellness, and it has been used in traditional herbal practice for joint and musculoskeletal support.

Antioxidant Wellness

Tasmannia lanceolata is rich in naturally occurring antioxidant phenolic compounds, stilbenes, and resveratrol glycosides. Its antioxidant properties have generated significant research interest in contemporary botanical science.

Digestive Wellness

Tasmannia lanceolata has a traditional history of use for digestive wellness. Its naturally occurring aromatic and pungent compounds have made it a traditional inclusion in preparations for digestive support.

How to Use

Take 10–30 drops under the tongue or in a little juice or water, up to 2–3 times daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Precautions

Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding without practitioner guidance. May cause mild gastric warmth due to naturally occurring pungent compounds — best taken with food if sensitive. Consult your healthcare practitioner before use if you are taking medications. Keep out of reach of children.

Ingredients

Wildcrafted Tasmannia lanceolata (Tasmanian Pepperberry) fruit, 60% alcohol.

Our Extraction Method

The Gumpii Apothecary uses the Swiss method of ethanol extraction for all alcohol-based botanical extracts. We typically use a 60% ethanol base for robust botanicals, and 45% ethanol for more fragile flora. Product labels and images are a guide only — alcohol concentration may vary by botanical and batch.

Stack This With

• Gumpii Extract — foundational Australian native botanical base
• Gumpii Lancet Botanical Extract — our proprietary Lancet + Gumpii blend
• Echinacea Extract — complementary immune wellness herb
• Quercetin — complementary antioxidant flavonoid

Want to Combine Several Tinctures?

We'll blend them into one bottle for you — saving you money and simplifying your routine. Find out more →

Related Wellness Guides

• Immune, Respiratory & Infections Support
• Wellness Hub — explore all herbal guides

Naturally Occurring Compounds

Tasmannia lanceolata is one of Australia's most phytochemically rich native plants, containing over 80 identified non-anthocyanin polyphenols and flavonoids. Key bioactive compounds include:

• Polygodial — the primary bioactive sesquiterpene dialdehyde unique to the Winteraceae family; responsible for Tasmannia lanceolata's characteristic peppery heat and potent biological activity
• Chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, t-ferulic acid — phenolic acids with antioxidant activity, also found in green coffee and turmeric
• Piceid — a naturally occurring resveratrol glycoside with antioxidant properties
• Combretastatin stilbenes A-1 and A-4 — naturally occurring bioactive stilbene compounds
• Flavonoids — naturally occurring antioxidant compounds present in the fruit

Laboratory Research Context

In preliminary laboratory studies, Tasmannia lanceolata extracts demonstrated notable cytotoxic activity against two standard cancer research cell lines:

• HeLa cells — a human cervical cancer cell line, one of the most widely used in biological and medical research worldwide. Named after Henrietta Lacks, HeLa cells have been used in cancer research for over 70 years.
• HT29 cells — a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, commonly used in laboratory studies investigating compounds with potential activity against colon cancer cells.

Tasmannia lanceolata was among the most potent of all Australian native plant extracts tested — cells treated with the extracts showed no viable cells compared to the positive control group. It also demonstrated the ability to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in selected human carcinoma cell lines.

This is early-stage laboratory research and does not constitute clinical evidence of efficacy in humans. These results are presented for informational and educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition.

Research & References

1. Cock, I. E., Winnett, V., Sirdaarta, J., & Matthews, B. (2015). The potential of selected Australian medicinal plants with anti-Proteus activity for the treatment and prevention of rheumatoid arthritis. Pharmacognosy Magazine. ResearchGate
2. Winnett, V., Boyer, H., Sirdaarta, J., & Cock, I. E. (2014). The potential of Tasmannia lanceolata as a natural preservative and medicinal agent: antimicrobial activity and toxicity. Pharmacognosy Communications, 4(1). ResearchGate
3. The phytochemistry and chemotherapeutic potential of Tasmannia lanceolata (Tasmanian pepper): A review. Academia.edu
4. Practical isolation of polygodial from Tasmannia lanceolata. RSC. RSC Publishing
5. Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C.Sm. Berry and Leaf Extracts Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Selected Human Carcinoma Cell Lines. ResearchGate
6. Cock IE et al. Cytotoxic activity of Australian native plant extracts including Tasmannia lanceolata against HeLa and HT29 cell lines. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. ScienceDirect

Content provided for informational purposes only. Not medical advice. Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Consult your healthcare practitioner.