Pippali (Piper Longum, Long Pepper): Health Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

What is Indian long Pepper (Piper Longum)?

Indian long Pepper is a plant; its fruits and roots are used to prepare the medicine. Pippali is commonly used in both Ayurvedic medicine and traditional medicine.

Indian long Pepper can cure menstrual problems, gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, lung problems, and many other diseases. Still, you have to keep in mind there is no scientific proof for these uses.

Overview information

Quick Facts

Species: Longum
Kingdom: Plantae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Genus: Piper
Order: Piperales
Family: Piperaceae

The long Pepper is a thin aromatic climber that has creeping combined stems and succulent fruits embedded in the spikes. Its leaves are dark green and the flowers are monoecious.

The shape of the leaves are ovate or heart-shaped, and it’s about 2 to 3 inches long. Its roots are grayish-brown in color and longitudinally wrinkled.

Some women use Indian Long Pepper for 3-6 weeks after delivery, thus returning the uterus to the normal size. Women use it to stimulate their menstrual flow and to have an abortion. And it is one of the best medicines to treat menstrual cramps, infertility, and loss of interest in sexual activity. It is also used to cure lung problems, as well as bronchitis, cough, and asthma.

It is the best natural remedy for tuberculosis, Headache, Vitamin B1 Deficiency (Peripheral), Epilepsy, Stroke, Leprosy, Severe Fatigue, Extended Spleen, Muscle Pain, Coma, Stroke, Psoriasis, Intestinal worms, Fever, snake bites, Sleep Problem (Insomnia), tetanus, thirst, Toothache, Nasal Discharge, and tumors.

Energetics

Rasa (taste): Pungent

Virya (action): Heating

Guna (qualities): Strong

Vipaka (post-digestive effects): Sweet

Dosha (constitution): Pacifies Vata and Kapha

Common Names Of Indian Long Pepper

Tamil Name: pippili, Kandan tippilli, tippili, sirumulam, thippili

Malayalam Name: Magadhi, Pippali, Thippili, Tippili

Telugu Name: Pippallu

Kannada Name: Lippali, Hippali, Thippili

Hindi Name: Pipar, piplamul

Bengali Name: Piplamor

Gujarati Name: Pipli

Marathi Name: Pimpli

Urdu Name: Pippal

Sanskrit Name: madaghi, vaidehi, kana

The common name of the Indian long Pepper is Langer Pfeffer, Pippali, Bi Ba, Poivre Long, Jaborandi Pepper, Lindi Piper, Poivrier Long d’Inde, Long Pepper, Magdhi, Pimenta-Longa, Piper longum, Pippli, Poivre Long d’Inde, Poivrier Long, Kana, Poivre Long Indien, Magadhi, Bi Bo, Pimienta Larga, Ushana.

How Does It Work?

Indian long Pepper or Pippali has some chemicals. These chemicals can fight against some parasites that can infect people. It can help to decrease inflammation and destroy cancer cells. One of these chemicals, named piperine, also appears to alter the lining of the intestines. It allows you to take the certain medications and other substances can be taken orally.

Practical Uses of Piper Longum

Pippali has many healing properties that are very beneficial in different conditions. The properties are antibacterial, analgesic, diuretic, carminative, antispasmodic, antispasmodic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, thermogenic, laxative emmenagogue, and expectorant.

Pippali is the best herbal remedy to cure asthma.

You can use it as a hair tonic, thus increasing your hair growth.

It can fight against diarrhea, stomach upset, digestion problems, and gastric issues.

Pippali has the ability to treat Beriberi caused due to deficiency of B1.

This herb is used to prevent stroke.

Piper longum works effectively in the case of an enlarged spleen.

It is one of the strong longevity enhancers.
Consuming Piper longum can improve assimilation, digestion as well as the metabolism of the food.

Pippali converts the nutrients to your body and removes the wastes from your body.

You will get better sleep by consuming it. Moreover, it can calm your nerve function.

It is used as a medicine for chronic dysentery and worm infestations.

It gives relief from throat infections.

Long Pepper is very useful in hiccups.

It is the best herbal remedy in case of irregular fever, piles, and anemia.

Pippali improves your blood circulation of the body as well as it can strengthen the immune system.

If you have nausea and congestion issues, consume the piper longum. It is effectively working to cure these problems.

Piper longum is an excellent drug for cleansing the lungs, kidneys, and lymph nodes.

It is used as a brain tonic.

Amazing Benefits of Long Pepper

Piper longum is used as one of the spices in cooking. It includes a variety of nutrients that are carbohydrates, fats, proteins, calcium, sugars, vitamins C and A, dietary fiber, and sodium ions. It adds the hot and spicy taste in your food as well gives flavor to the food. This plant grows with hairy branches. Every part of this plant can provide plenty of health benefits to you. Long pepper fruits are small by alkaloid fiber. Here are the popular health benefits by using long Pepper.

1 Treats Respiratory Disorders

Piper longum is one of the best natural remedies for all types of Kapha diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, COPD, cough, and cold symptoms. Consuming pippali can give relief from coughs and congestion.

It acts as an anti-irritant and eases inflammation. You can also use this as a medicine to treat bronchial asthma in children. It fights against infections due to its antibacterial properties and acts internally to help thin skin and reduce congestion.

As it has antipyretic properties, it can cure chronic fevers. Pippali may help people with asthma, which decreases the severity of the attack and the frequency of occurrence.

Take a teaspoon of long pepper churna with a sweet cup of ginger tea. Add basil and honey to increase the potency of the tea. Drink this two or three times a day to relieve your cough, fever, or chills.

Take 1 tsp of Pepper longum powder, dried ginger powder, turmeric powder, and honey. Mix them with one cup of lukewarm water. Have this medicine to improve the lung tissue as well as increase lung health.

A study of people with the respiratory disease found that consuming long Pepper for 45 days can increase the overall condition and ease the clinical symptoms of their disease. Another study showed that drinking pippali powder with milk can cure asthma in children.

2 Manage Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the worst diseases that can affect anyone because it destroys every system of the body. India has the highest number of people diagnosed with diabetes.

Animal studies found that piper longum extract can help control high blood glucose levels, which is common in hyperglycemia or diabetes. Moreover, it improves the insulin level in your body when the glycosylated hemoglobin level decreases, indicating diabetes. Piperine can act as a bio enhancer, thus increasing the effectiveness of a metformin drug, which is used to manage diabetes.

Having piperine with a subtherapeutic dose of metformin has given good results when compared to consuming a therapeutic dose of metformin.

In Ayurveda, Piper longum is not only for diabetes but also used for the problems related to the oxidative stress your body experiences if you have diabetes. It can balance your liver function, prevent you from gastrointestinal issues and heart diseases. Since it has antimicrobial properties, it can keep your body more healthy and stronger.

Long Pepper can fight against common complications of diabetes, such as liver and kidney damage. It can balance cholesterol abnormalities in people with diabetes, making it a promising antidiabetic solution.

Keep in mind that pippali or its juices are not an addition to your diabetes medication. Consult your doctor if you decide to use it as a natural remedy.

3 Improves Digestion

If you suffer from digestive problems such as dull appetite, heartburn, and flatulence, this long piper is the right choice for you. Its carminative properties can stimulate the digestive system as well as improve appetite. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties can fight against ulcers.

Long Pepper has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, which stimulate your digestive system, helping to combat diarrhea or other gastrointestinal infections. It kills worms and other parasites in your digestive system.

GERD is beneficial for “Amlapitta” (Gastritis/ Acid peptic disease) which is very familiar in Ayurveda. One study found that those who took pippali churna can reduce the risk of heartburn symptoms. The effect of Pippali is comparable to that of a regular medication used for the problem. If you have flatulence or gas-related problems, consuming piper longum can give better results.

Since the piper longum has some stomach-soothing chemical, it can treat indigestion. By adding pippali powder to your diet, you will get better results.

4 Boosts Reproductive and Sexual Health

It works as a refreshing tonic for your reproductive organs. Moreover, it can effectively work for infertility and impotence as well as premature ejaculation. It is one of the best medicines for gonorrhea. In women, the solution is also used to treat menstrual cramps.

Consume long Pepper and ghee with Ashwagandha for men and Shatavari for women; it can increase your sexual drive. It can also be treated in postpartum care to aid in maternal recovery. It will help to remove any remaining blood or tissue from the uterus after childbirth.

Take the root powder and fruit of the Long Pepper. Mix them with lukewarm jaggery water. Give it to the mother, after 2 to 3 days of child birth. It gives enough energy to the mother.

As with any medicine or herb, you should consult with a healthcare provider before consuming pippali as the medicine. It can interact with certain drugs, increasing the blood levels of these drugs by altering their liver metabolism.

5 Protect Against Infections

Bacterial infections can be raised in this hot season. Drinking unclean water or having unhealthy food can lead to abdominal pain or vomiting infections. Indian long Pepper is the best treatment to overcome these issues. These bacterial infections may lead to sinusitis and nasal congestion.

As it has biochemical compounds, pippali can fight against different bacterial infections. Moreover, it contains antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties that not only kill bacteria and germs but also are used to heal wounds.

6 Pippali for Weight Loss

More and more people are becoming obese as we continue to become accustomed to processed foods and junk food. People are very interested in the idea of losing weight not only for beauty standards as well as self-image but also for health reasons. Indian long Pepper plays the leading role in reducing weight.

Renowned for its natural fat-burning properties, this spice detoxifies the body by removing AMA toxins and decreasing sudden hunger pangs and craving for unhealthy foods. It increases digestion, reduces the accumulation of bad fats in the body. Moreover, it increases the metabolism of your body, thus helping to lose weight quickly.

7 Fights Insomnia

If you are affected by insomnia, consume powdered pippali with honey. In Ayurveda, it is one of the best medicines. You can also consume it with milk before bed; you will get better sleep. People who have depression-induced insomnia can have the herbal form of pippalimulyadi vati at night. Pippali’s anesthetic or sedative effects are not only used in the treatment of insomnia but also for epilepsy.

8 Eliminates Menstrual Problems

Irregular periods may lead to PMS symptoms such as mood swings and stomach cramps. For centuries, Indian long Pepper is used as a medicine to balance heavy menstrual flow and to prevent menstrual cramps. Consuming long pepper powder can stimulate wrinkles during childbirth and then improve healing.

9 Long Pepper for Liver

A healthy liver is essential for a healthy body because it plays an indispensable role in the digestive system and its function. Moreover, it affects the secretion of certain enzymes and hormones in your body.

These days, because we all eat a lot of processed foods instead of fresh, healthy foods, liver problems are incredibly increasing, leading to many liver diseases.

Long Pepper has the active ingredient of piperine, which can counteract hepatotoxicity or chemical-induced liver damage. Piperine has the ability to protect the liver, control fibrosis, and promote regeneration. However, keep in mind, if your problems include cirrhosis or severe damage, it may not provide adequate protection.

10 Increases the Effectiveness of TB Treatment

An appetite-increasing, toxic solution for tuberculosis is a teaspoon of pippali churna powder mixed with a quarter teaspoon of each turmeric and ginger in a quarter cup of warm water with a teaspoon of honey. Drink it twice a day – once in the afternoon when you wake up or as prescribed by your Ayurvedic doctor.

The anti-tuberculosis drug rifampicin may help improve the effectiveness of piperine by increasing its bactericidal activity. Moreover, it may be more susceptible to Mycobacterium tuberculosis medication. Piperine is an immune system that helps your body protect itself against organisms.

11 Helps Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Indian long Pepper is effective against epilepsy, which is another neurological disorder. It comes with antioxidant properties, thus helps to counteract the free radical damage caused by age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

12 Fights Rheumatism

Piper longum comes with analgesic properties, which are used as a topical treatment. It can help with swelling and muscle pain.

The use of Indian long Pepper can alleviate rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory disease that may lead to severe joint pain and impairs mobility and quality of life. RA, also known as “Amawata” in Ayurveda, can cure with long Pepper as it has the ability to cleanse the body of toxins and metabolize and ignite the digestive tract.

In one study, those treated with pippali show improved symptoms, including relaxation of swelling and stiffness, improvement in joint mobility, and reduced pain. Animal studies show that the juice has an anti-arthritic activity, thus significantly suppressing inflammation associated with RA.

Culinary Uses

• In Ethiopian and Morocco cuisines, the seed can be added as a spice.
• This plant is also used to garnish the garden because of its elegant greenish look.
• In curry and pickles, dried berries are used as a black pepper blend.
• In Moroccan spice blends’ ras el hanout’ and ‘felfla harra’, it is the main ingredient.

Nutrient Content of the Piper Longum (Pippali)

The natural compounds in long Pepper are alkaloids, sugars, essential oils, glycosides, terpenoids, saturated fats, eugenols, volatile oils, resins, and active compounds such as myrcene, piperine, triacontane, piperlatine, quercetin, piperlongumine, sylvatine and the like. This Uber sanctified with essential nutrients, and compounds piper longum provides comprehensive health benefits and is used to cure almost all health ailments.

Other Facts

• In the sixties, Indian long Pepper was reached in Greece.
• Hippocrates argued this seed as a medicine.
• The Romans used Indian long Pepper as a luxury in their dishes.
• The fame of the Indian long Pepper is slowly faded after the development of the American continents.
• Pakistan people use this long Pepper in their popular dish of Nihari.
• The plants are ready for harvest after six months of planting and can grow for up to 3 years.
• You can keep the harvested spikes in airtight containers that will last for a year.
• Piper longum is a neighboring family of black Pepper.
• It comes from Bali, which is very famous worldwide. This spice is known for its culinary appeal and sweetness.

Interactions

1 Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with Indian long Pepper

Indian long Pepper may improve the body’s absorption of Phenytoin. Consuming Long Pepper with Phenytoin may lead to the side effects of Phenytoin (Dilantin).

2 Propranolol (Inderal) interacts with Indian long Pepper

Long Pepper also improves Body Propranolol Absorption. Consuming Piper Longum with Propranolol may enhance the effects and side effects of propranolol.

3 Theophylline interacts with Indian long Pepper

Piper longum will improve theophylline absorption. Consuming theophylline with piper longum may enhance the side effects of theophylline.

Piper Longum Side Effects & Safety

When taken by oral: Pippali fruit is very safe when used in food. There is not enough research about the side effects of pippali when you are using it as a medicine.

Special precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation

If you are pregnant women or breastfeeders, consult your healthcare provider before consuming Pippali. Because it doesn’t have sufficient data about long Indian long Pepper is safe or not during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you don’t know about the details of it, it is better to avoid it.

Bleeding conditions

Piper Longum can reduce blood clotting instantly. One study found that consuming Indian long Pepper at a high level can increase the risk of bleeding, particularly for those who have bleeding disorders.

Diabetes

Pippali may affect the blood sugar level of your body. Consuming a high level of piper longum can increase your blood sugar level in people with diabetes.

Surgery

Indian long Pepper can reduce blood clotting and affect blood sugar levels. One study found that consuming the Indian pepper level can cause bleeding problems or affect blood sugar levels during surgery. Stop consuming Indian long pepper diet for at least two weeks before surgery.

Long Pepper doesn’t make a problem until you consume it as a small amount, but if you take a high dosage (5 grams and more) for a long time, it may create problems such as irritation from heat or irritation or skin irritation from topical application. Regular dosages can vary from 1 to 5 grams per day and should be diluted with milk, honey, or water to ease the impact of heat and speed on your body.

Final Words

Long pepper is one of the modest spice which has a lot of health benefits. Due to the bio-active compounds of this herb, it is widely used to treat respiratory problems, diabetes, infection, weight loss, and more.