Indian Long Pepper

Alternative names: Long Pepper, Pippali

Indian long pepper (Piper longum) is a traditional Ayurvedic herb that has long been used for its anthelmintic and carminative actions.  It is also widely used for diseases of the respiratory tract.

Indian long pepper is sometimes used in combination with other herbs in Ayurvedic medicine.  In cooking, it possesses a sweet-and-hot taste.

Source

Indian Long Pepper is native to North-eastern and Southern India, and Sri Lanka.  The whole plant is usable, especially its berries and the roots; the fruit is more useful and active when it is picked unripe and dried under the sun.

Function; Why it is Recommended

Indian Long Pepper is a powerful stimulant for the digestive and the respiratory systems, having a rejuvenating effect on the lungs.  It helps increase thyroid hormone levels in the body and increases the absorption and bioavailability of certain other medications, both pharmaceutical and herbal.

It is thought that the root and the fruit may possess anti-amoebic activity.

Indian long pepper is used for the following:

• intestinal worms
• appetite improvement
• heartburn
• flatulence
• leprosy
• extreme tiredness
• splenomegaly (enlarged spleen)
• myalgia
• runny nose
• paralysis
• psoriasis
• snakebites
• diabetes: reducing blood glucose levels in diabetic patients
• beriberi (vitamin B1 deficiency)
• insomnia
• tetanus
• thirst
• tuberculosis
• tumors
• causing abortions
• infertility
• improving libido (aphrodisiac)
• stimulating and regulating menstrual flow
• menstrual cramps
• returning the uterus to normal size after childbirth
• inducing the expulsion of the placenta after childbirth
• increasing blood circulation in the skin (topical application)
• spleen disorders

Unconfirmed uses include:

• headache
• migraine
• toothache
• indigestion
• stomach ache
• diarrhea
• bronchitis
• cough
• asthma: prevention recurrent attacks of bronchial asthma
• cholera
• bacterial infections
• coma
• epilepsy
• fever
• stroke
• liver toxicity
• jaundice
• promoting weight loss; reducing body fat
• preventing lung disorders
• supporting skeletal function
• increasing bone strength
• slowing the aging process
• anemia
• rheumatoid arthritis
• tuberculosis
• malaria
• insect bites
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• hiccups
• increasing breast milk production

Side-Effects

Indian long pepper interacts with certain drugs, such as Phenytoin, Propranolol, and Theophylline.  It may increase how much of these drugs the body absorbs, increasing the effects and side-effects of these drugs.