Pippali
Common Name:
Long pepper(Eng.)- Here pepper stands for spirit or the energy
Sanskrit Names:
Pippali
Magadhi- A plant that generally grows in Magadha constituancy(Region covering the area of Bihar and West Bangal in India)
Vaidehi- Means this plant grows successfully in Videha region(Southern Nepal)
Krishna- As it is normally with Krishna(black) color
Kana- As its fruits are embedded in the surface of a flower spike in the form of minute projections
Chapala- Means it is very sharp in character
Teekshna tandula
Ushna- As it is having Ushna/ Katu(Pungent taste)
Upakulya- As it generally grows near watery areas
Shaundi
Kola- As its flower spikes having fruits on it weigh one Kola(6gm) in general
Lt. Name:
Piper longum - Piperaceae
Bio energetics:
Rasa (Taste) - Katu (Pungent)
Guna (Characteristics) - Laghu (Light); Snigdha (Unctuous); Teekshna (Sharp)
Veerya (Potency) - Anushnasheeta (Neither warm nor cool)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect) - Madhur (Sweet)
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
It pacifies Kapha and Vata Doshas i.e. useful in management of diseases having their origin in aggravated Kapha/ Vata or Both.
Bio chemistry of Pippali:
Long pepper contains less essential oil than its relatives (about 1%), which consists of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and ethers (bisabolene, β-caryophyllene, β-caryophyllene oxide, each 10 to 20%; α-zingiberene, 5%), and, surprisingly, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons: 18% pentadecane, 7% tridecane, 6% heptadecane.
Actiona according to Ayurveda:
Shwas-kasahara- Useful in respiratory discomfort (including asthmatic condition) and cough
Hikkanighrana- Alleviates hicough
Shirovirechana- Used in therapeutic cleansing of the body parts abole the clavicle level
Vamana- Useful in therapeutic vomitting
Triptighna- Alleviates anorexia
Deepana- Stimulate digestive fire making a person feel hungry
Shoolaprashamana- Having tranquillizer (Pain killer) action
Vrishya- Increases sexual desire
Rasayana- Rejuvenator of the body
Kushthahara- Useful in All skin diseases
Pramehahara- Useful in all urinary disorders including Diabetes
Meda vinashini- Removes unnecessary fat from the body
Krimiroganut- Useful in all infectious conditions
Pleehaghna- Useful in Splenomegaly
Medicinal value:
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Primarily used for cold, wet and ‘mucusy’ conditions of the lungs. It encourages vasodilation and therefore increases circulation, specifically to the lungs. Used with honey in asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and compromised immunity in the respiratory system.
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Clinical studies show that that piperine increases the absorption of curcumin in Turmeric root (used at 1:10 ). Its anthelmintic qualities are used as part of a formula to kill worms, amoebas and parasites. It helps to treat diarrhoea from cold symptoms and constipation
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It has a hepatoprotective effect that may benefit fibrosis.
Useful parts:
Fruits, root
Doses:
Powder 1/2-1 gm
Some useful combinations of Pippali:
Guda pippali, Pippali khanda, Pippalyaasava
Some special notes about Pippali :
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Pippali is the best medication among the plants those are appetizer, digestive stimulant, and anti flatulant.
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Pippali powder should be taken with honey to get rid of unwanted fat and maintain normal body weight.
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In chronic fever pippali powder should be taken with jaggery.
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Taking Pippali powder with castor oil and cow urine is very effective in management of neurralgic conditions specially the Sciatica.
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Here in Ayurveda a formulation of Pippali named Pippalivardhaman rasayana is mentioned in which Pippali powder is taken in regularly increasing dose. This Rasayana is very effective in management of Splenomegaly(Enlargement of spleen)
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