Indian Long Pepper

 The Indian Long Pepper is a trailing or creeping aromatic plant belonging to the plant family Piperaceae. The numerous leaves which are 6.3-9 cm long are broadly ovate or cordate with reticulate venation. The leaves are dark green and shiny on the dorsal surface but pale on the ventral surface. The stipules are prominent but with maturity, they fall off. The fruits are small, ovoid and sunk in fleshy spikes. The spikes are 2 to 4 cm. long, oblong, blackish green and shiny.

MEDICINAL USE:

* Sinus congestion, cough and sore throat.
* Ringworm caused by Tinea versicolour a fungal infection.
* Asthma and bronchitis.
* Diarrhoea.
* Fainting and gas problems.
* Anthelmintic, carminative, diseases of the spleen and tumours.
* Biliousness or the excess secretion of bile by the liver.

HOW TO USE:

* To take care of sinus congestion, cough and sore throat, make a decoction with one teaspoon each of ground long pepper, cloves and rock salt. Filter, and drink while still warm. For Ringworm caused by Tinea versicolour a fungus, take 1 teaspoon of powdered long pepper and mix it with good honey and take this for 1 1/2 months.
* To treat asthma and bronchitis, mix equal quantities of the powder of long pepper, dried ginger and black pepper and take one teaspoon with honey, thrice daily.
* For diarrhoea, take the powder of one- teaspoon long pepper along with warm water.
* For fainting and gas problems, boil one teaspoon powdered long pepper in one glass of milk and drink.
* The decoction of the root is taken 3-4 times a day as it acts as an anthelmintic expelling worms, and a carminative expelling gas from the body. The decoction also takes care of diseases of the spleen and tumours.
* The decoction of the unripe fruit taken 3-4 times a day as it acts as an anthelmintic expelling worms, and a carminative expelling gas from the body. The decoction also takes care of diseases of the spleen and tumours.
* The decoction of the unripe fruit taken 3-5 times a day will take care of biliousness or the excess secretion of bile by the liver.

PARTS USED:

Fruits and roots.

DOSE:

Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp


1 litre = 7 or 8 cups