Pippali (Piper longum)

Pippali – Piper longum

Pippali, commonly known as ‘ long pepper’ is one of the herbs with most therapeutic properties. The name ‘pippali’ indicates that the herb can act as a rejuvenative by increasing the depleted Dhatu (Tissue). The botanical name suggests the nature of the fruit of pippali, which is longer in shape and also the properties of the herb resembles as that of Pepper.

Pippali is used to treat many diseased conditions like Colic, Vomiting, Cough, Fever, Skin allergic conditions, Inflammatory conditions, Worm infestations etc. Pippali can also act as an appetizer, digestant, carminative, aphrodisiac, stimulant, diuretic and rubefacient. The root extracts of long pepper showed antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects. The phytoconstituents in the plant like piperine, is found to be useful against Mycobacterium. Dr.Gupta’sIAFA experts are consistently working on the plant to bring out more therapeutic actions of Pippali.

Action of Pippali – Piper longum in Allergies

Pippali can be widely used for the treatment of Skin allergic conditions. The plant contains phytoconstituents like piperine, piplartine, pipernonaline, n-hexadecane, n-heptadecane, zingiberene etc which aids in it’s antiallergic properties. Pippali alleviates Kapha and Vata doshas and can be used to cure allergic conditions caused by these 2 doshas. Pippali also found to have antimicrobial activities against bacterial species and can be effectively used in inflammatory conditions also.

Vernacular Names and Botanical Classification

Botanical Name	Piper longum
Family	Piperaceae
Native Names
Sanskrit Name	Pippali
Hindi Name	Pipli
English Name	Long pepper
Malayalam Name	Thippali
Kannada Name	Hippali
Marathi name	Pipli

Ayurvedic reference of Pippali – Piper longum

Morphology of Pippali – Piper longum

Pippali is an ascending or prostrate climber
Root stock is erect
Stem are stout and have nodes
Leaves are broadly ovate and have reticulate venation
Inflorescence is spike
Fruits are small ovoid

Geographical distribution of Pippali – Piper longum

Pippali is found through out India. It is seen abundantly in forests of South India, Central provinces and North India.

Phytoconstituents of Pippali – Piper longum

The plant contains phytoconstituents like piperine, piplartine, pipernonaline, n-hexadecane, n-heptadecane, zingiberene, n-octadecane, n-nonadecane etc

Parts used of Pippali – Piper longum

Fruits

Dosage of Pippali – Piper longum

Powder(churna)- 5-10 g
Aqueous extract (swarasa) – 10-20 ml

Medicinal Properties of Pippali – Piper longum

Shothahara – anti inflammatory
Rasayana – Rejuvenative
Medhya- promotes intelligence
Deepana-carminative
Vrishya-aphrodisiac
Swasahara- cures asthmatic conditions
Pramehahara – cures diabetes
Vranahara – useful in ulcers and wounds
Kushtaghna – useful in skin diseases
Krimighna – useful in worm disease
Vishaghna – useful in poisoning
Kasahara – cures Cough
Sula hara- Relieves pain
Chardigna- cures vomiting

Have A Health Issue?

Consult Online

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®

Home remedies of Pippali – Piper longum

Pippali is one among the most commonly used herb in Ayurveda treatments. The plant have many properties and also abundantly available in most areas. Classic texts have mentioned many usages of Pippali.

In Fever (Jwara) – 5-7 fruits of Pippali are collected and made into decoction by adding 4 times water. It is then taken orally.

In Colic pain (Sula) – Pippali along with Zingiber officinale is made into decoction. Drinking this decoction at a dose of 60 ml can cure colic pain