Indian long pepper (Pippali): a wonder plant

Long pepper (Piper longum L.) commonly known as Pippali, Indian or Javanese long pepper is a slender, aromatic plant grown for its small red spikes which are tremendously used in traditional medicine systems.

- Era Vaidya Malhotra, Sangita Bansal

This plant grows wild in the evergreen forests in India and is cultivated in areas of Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh with heavy rainfall and high relative humidity. Its fruits grow in fleshy spikes which are dried and sold as the commercial form of pippali. Different parts of the plant are used in the Ayurvedic medicine systems, for its major pharmacologically active compound piperine and piperlongumine. It is one of the main ingredients in the renowned formulation called 'Trikatu' well-known for its prominent bio-enhancing properties. It holds a significant place in Ayurveda, particularly in the therapy known as 'Rasayana'. Rasayana focuses on promoting strength, vitality, and overall w