Traditional uses and benefits of Balinese Pepper

Plant Description

Balinese Pepper is a dioecious, perennial, evergreen, soft woody climbers or creeper that normally grows about 2 – 4 meters tall. The plant is found growing wild on trunks in the shade or partial shade in open humid deciduous tropical forest and thickets on poor soils and along beaches. It is a chronic herb with soft stems and bifus (dioseus). Stems are brownish when dry, 2 mm thick, cylindrical and striated.

Leaves

Leaves are short-petioled, pale when dry, oblong, oblong-ovate, or elliptic lanceolate, 6 to 7.5 centimeters long, 3 to 8 centimeters wide, papery; the base sublateral or inequilateral, pointed or slightly heart-shaped and the apex pointed; penninerved, the lateral nerves 7 to 11 on each side of the midrib, ascending.

Flowers

The plant has been described as dioecious or monoecious. Male spikes are 3.8 to 8.5 centimeters long, 2.5 to 4.5 millimeters in diameter; the bracts somewhat stalked, and peltate. Stamens are 2 to 3, stalk less. Female spikes are oblong when mature, red, fleshy and cylindrical, 3 to 6.5 centimeters long, 6.5 to 11 millimeters in diameter. Rachis is smooth and the bracts are stalk less and peltate.

Fruits

Fertile flower are followed by cylindrical fruit about 2–4 cm long and 4–8 mm wide on a 1 cm long stalk. Fruits are initially hard green, pungent becoming reddish brown and soft when ripe.  It consists of berries that are spherical and arranged densely on the axis. Seeds are subglobose to obovoid-globose, 2 to 2.5 millimeters long.

Traditional uses and benefits of Balinese Pepper

• Java long pepper has various applications in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia.
• In Indonesia, the fruits are used for their anti- flatulent, expectorant, antitussive, antifungal, and appetizing properties in traditional medicine.
• In Malaysia, the aromatic spice is taken as tonic for languidness and after childbirth, for digestive and intestinal disorders and administered internally for degenerative organs, for cramps, for congestion of the liver, and ulceration of the bones.
• It is also recommended for the skin irritation, numbness and in fevers as well as for nostril ulcerations.
• Fruit is regarded to have warming properties and to be good for digestion in Vietnam.
• The plant is used to treat liver diseases, jaundice and edema.
• The plant is crushed and used as poultice for pains and rheumatism.
• Root is chewed and the saliva swallowed, or the root is brewed in decoction as a cure for colic in Philippines.
• In Thailand, its fruits have a “hot” flavor that is used to aid food digestion, blood circulation, asthma, overall health, treat influenza and hypertension, and act as an anti-flatulent.
• When combined with Piper nigrum and khing haeng, it is an important ingredient of trikatu medical prescriptions within Thai traditional medicine.
• They are used to improve four body elements (earth, water, wind and fi re), food digestion, and food nutrient absorption and to act as an antitussive and diaphoretic, and also to treat influenza and flatulence.
• In India, the fruit is used as adjuncts to medicines for cough, cold and hoarseness.
• Root is chewed (and the saliva swallowed), or a decoction of the root is drunk as a treatment for colic, dyspepsia and gastralgia.
• Handful of leaves are salted and oiled, then heated over the embers of a fire and stroked over the entire body, from head to foot, for treating postpartum fevers and chills.
• Dried mature unripe fruits are anti-diarrheal, aromatic, carminative, oxytocic, stimulant and stomachic.
• They are used in the treatment of coughs and colds, and in haemorrhoidal affections.
• In Ayurveda, traditionally used to promote respiratory and digestive health; an ingredient in compound medicinal teas.
• In China, it is used for vomiting, hiccups, stomachaches, diarrhea due to coldness in the stomach.
• In Bangladesh, plant used to cure rheumatic pain and body pain after childbirth.
• Fruits used for coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, fever, hemorrhoids.
• In Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine, the fruit’s hot flavor is used for improving digestion, blood circulation, and overall health; to treat asthma, influenza, and hypertension, and as anti-flatulent.
• In toothache, ripe fruit powder is inserted into tooth cavity.
• The fruit is best to treat Spleen Disorders.
• The root of the plant is effective treatment for Bronchitis, Stomachache, Diseases of Spleen and Tumors.
• The root is given to women post Child birth to induce the exclusion of placenta.
• Powdered form of Long Pepper is taken with honey to cure a number of ailments.
• It cures Obesity, Cough, Cold, Asthma, Fever and Hiccup.
• It helps to avoid weight loss associated with Tuberculosis and its treatment.
• Powdered form of Long Pepper fruit and Long Pepper root and stem of Pepper plant with dry Ginger is taken as an Appetizer.
• Long Pepper is useful for Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation.
• Regular use of Long Pepper is good for Diabetic patients. It regulates the rate at which glucose is released in the Blood. It boosts the production of Insulin.
• The roots act as stimulants and are used to treat asthma, bronchitis, hemorrhoids, fever, liver diseases, jaundice, edema, and abdominal pain.
• The fruit is useful for treating bronchitis, bronchial asthma, and muscle pain.
• In Bangladesh, the leaves are used to treat carotid artery disease and tendon discomfort.
• Root is applied to treat paresis, yaws, and diarrhea, and is used as an antipyretic and carminative.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Balinese Pepper

• Dipsia: Grind the roots of Long Pepper with Milk. Take quarter tsp with lukewarm water.
• Cough: Fry Long Pepper powder in Clarified Butter. Take 1 g once a day.
• Diarrhea: Add 5 g Long pepper powder in a glass of Buttermilk. Drink twice a day.
• Swelling: Prepare a paste of Long Pepper and apllied directly to the swelled area.
• Menses Scanty: Prepare a decoction of Long Pepper. Have it two times a day.
• Hiccups: Take Long Pepper with honey to control hiccups.
• Dizziness: Take Long Pepper roots and crush them. Consume one teaspoon of it and also smell it while consuming it.
• Flatulence: Take two tablespoons of crushed Long Pepper. Add it in one cup of Cow Milk and boil it. Consume it.
• Cold: Fry Long Pepper powder in Clarified Butter (Ghee). Consume half teaspoon of this mixture, two times a day.
• High Cholesterol: Mix Long Pepper powder, Dried Ginger powder and Black pepper powder in a ratio of 1:1:1. Consume one teaspoon of this mixture, once a day. It helps to normalize the Cholesterol levels.
• Obesity: Mix Long Pepper powder, Dried Ginger powder and Black pepper powder in a ratio of 1:1:1. Consume one teaspoon of this mixture, once a day.
• Skin Diseases: Gently massage with Long Pepper oil or make a paste of Long Pepper powder with water. Apply on the affected area. Repeat the process two times a day.
• Asthma: Take one glass of Milk and pour one Long Pepper in it. Boil it for 8 minutes. Strain and drink it, once a day. This remedy is effective in case of Children suffering from Asthma.
• Sore Throat: Steep half teaspoon each of Long Pepper powder and Rock Salt in one glass of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink it lukewarm.
• Blocked Nose: Steep half teaspoon each of Long Pepper powder and Rock Salt in one glass of boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain and drink it lukewarm.
• Liver Diseases: Boil one crushed Long Pepper in one glass of Milk. Strain and drink it. It helps to keep the Liver healthy.
• Jaundice: Long Pepper is effective in the treatment of Jaundice. Consume one crushed Long Pepper with one glass of Warm Milk.
• Body ache: Take equal quantities of the roots of Punarnava, Bitter Gourd, Apamarga, Utaran, Wood Apple, Black Pepper, Garlic, Harad, Long Pepper, Sweet Flag and Cat Tail Plant. Add Neem bark. Grind them. Boil them properly with Sesame Oil. Apply it on the affected part.
• Gum Diseases: Grind 1 cup each of the bark of Acacia Nilotica and Azadirachta Indica. Add 1 tablespoon each of powdered Cubeb, Long Pepper and Rock Salt. Use after Every meal as a tooth powder.
• Stomach Ache: Boil 1 cup Acacia Tree bark in 1 liter water and sieve it. Add powdered Indian Pennywort in it. Also add the powder of 4 Black Peppercorns, 2 Cardamom, Cinnamon, 2 Cloves, 1/4 Nutmeg and 1/2 tablespoon Long Pepper. Mix it and leave it for a month before it is taken for medicinal use. Take One tablespoon twice a day.
• Diarrhea: Boil 1 cup Acacia Nilotica bark in 1 liter water and sieve it. Add powdered Indian Pennywort in it. Also add the powder of 4 Black Peppercorns, 2 Cardamom, Cinnamon, 2 Cloves, 1/4 Nutmeg and 1/2 tablespoon Long Pepper. Mix it and leave it for a month before it is taken for medicinal use. Take One tablespoon twice a day.
• Piles: Take equal quantity of Bitter Apple root and Long Pepper. Grind them together. Make small pills. Dry under the sun. Have a pill with a glass of Luke warm water every morning for 7 days.
• Rheumatism: Take equal quantity of Bitter Apple root and Long Pepper. Grind them together. Make small pills. Dry under the sun. Have a pill with a glass of Luke warm water every morning for 7 days.
• Dysentery: Take equal amount of Sweet Flag’s root, Long Pepper Black Pepper, dried Ginger, rind of Haritaki and rock salt. Grind them all to make fine powder. Take quarter teaspoon of the powder with lukewarm water or Honey.
• Indigestion: Grind equal amount of Sweet Flag’s root, Long Pepper, Black Pepper, dried Ginger, rind of Haritaki and rock salt. Crush them all to make powder. Take a pinch of the powder with lukewarm water or Honey.
• Rheumatism: Mix equal amount of Sweet Flag’s root, Long Pepper, Black Pepper, dried Ginger, rind of Haritaki and rock salt. Grind them to make powder. Take a pinch of the powder with lukewarm water or Honey.
• Stomach Rumble: Take equal quantity of Sweet Flag’s root, Long Pepper, Black Pepper, dried Ginger and rind of Haritaki. Add rock salt in it. Grind it. Take 10 gram of the powder with Honey.
• Cold: Boil quarter tablespoon powder of Wild Turmeric, Cinnamon and Long Pepper in a glass water. Take with a tablespoon of Honey.
• Bronchitis: Take equal quantity of Cubeb, Galangal, Liquorice and Long Pepper. Grind them together. Boil two teaspoon powder in a cup of water. Add two teaspoon Honey and have lukewarm daily.
• Cough: Grind equal quantity of Cubeb, Galangal, Licorice and Long Pepper. Take one teaspoon with two teaspoon Honey daily.
• Sore Throat: Grind Dates, Raisins, Black Pepper, Long Pepper and Baheda in equal quantities. Take One tablespoon of this paste with equal quantity of Honey thrice a day. It is also good for cough.
• Bronchitis: Chop 3 leaves of Adhatoda Vasica and add half teaspoon of Licorice, quarter teaspoon of Long Pepper and 3 cups of water. Add all in a mud vessel and heat till it chars. Again boil until it gets half. When the whole mixture cools down add 1 teaspoon of Honey in it. Take 2 teaspoon twice a day.
• Cough: Take chopped leaves of Adhatoda Vasica, 4 pinch Licorice, 2 pinches Long Pepper and 100 ml water. Add all in a mud vessel and heat all for 20 minutes. Let the mixture cool down and add 1 teaspoon of Honey in it. Have 2 teaspoons of this mixture 2 times in a day.
• Fever: Take 3 finely chopped leaves of Adhatoda Vasica. Add a little honey. Heat it in a mud vessel until it chars. Add 1/2 tsp Licorice and 1/4 tsp Long Pepper. Add 3 cups of water. Boil until it reduces to one and half cup. Take 30 ml two times a day.
• Cough: Soak roots of Yellow Berry and leaves of Adhatoda Vasica in a mud pot. Drink whenever thirsty with some Long Pepper in it.
• Fever: Take leaf juice of Adhatoda Vasica. Boil it in a mud pot until it gets thick. Add 1 tsp crushed Long Pepper. Take 3 ml thrice a day.
• Phlegm: Boil 50 ml leaf juice of Adhatoda Vasica in a mud vessel. Add Long Pepper when it gets thick like cough syrup. Drink half tsp 3 times a day
• Cough: Boil 100 ml leaf juice of Adhatoda Vasica with 20 ml ghee and 50 gram sugar. Cook until it gets thick. After removing from heat, add 5 g crushed Long Pepper. Cool it down. Add 50 ml honey. Take 1 tsp two times a day. (Caution: Use less Long Pepper in summer, as they are used to heat up the body. )
• Cough: Take one tsp powder of Galangal, Abies Spectabilis, Long Pepper, and Licorice. Add some water to make a paste. Heat it with 4 cups of water until it boils. Take this decoction, thrice a day with honey.
• Fever: Grind equal quantity of Ginger, Tinospora Cordifolia and Long Pepper together. Boil 2 pinches powder in a cup of water. Take it with Honey.
• Sexual Debility: Mix equal quantity of Asparagus Racemosus root juice with Butter. Add milk in it and boil. Add sugar, Honey and Long Pepper in it. Drink once a day. Use for few days.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Take equal quantity of Long Pepper, Black Pepper and Dried Ginger. Grind them together. Have one teaspoon with lukewarm water.
• Hiccups: Take equal quantity of dried form of Camel Thorn, Ginger, Black Pepper, Long Pepper, Nutmeg, Manjakani and Orris Root. Put them in a grinder together. Powder them. Have a teaspoon powder with Honey once a day.
• Impotence: Take 10 gram Long Pepper, 3 to 4 tablespoons Sesame Oil, 2 tablespoons Clarified Butter, 100 gm. Black Gram, 2 tablespoons Honey, 5 gm. Cardamom and 20 gm. Sugar Candy.  Fry Long Pepper and Black Gram in Sesame oil and grind coarsely. Add Cardamom and grind again. Add crystal sugar and grind again. Add Clarified Butter and Honey. Take one teaspoon of the prepared powder with 250 ml of warm milk. Take once every night before going to bed.
• Asthenospermia: Fry 2 teaspoons Long Pepper, 4 tablespoons Black Gram in Sesame oil. Now grind Long Pepper (Fried), Black Gram (Fried) and Cardamom together. Add two tablespoons Ghee and 2 tablespoons Honey. Mix them. Have a teaspoon with lukewarm milk after dinner daily.
• Flu: Grind Ginger and Long pepper in same quantity. Add 2 tablespoon Honey to ½ tablespoon of Ginger and Long pepper. Take two times a day.
• Oligospermia: Take Half cup Powdered Black gram, Half cup Powdered Velvet Bean, 3 to 4 pinches Powdered Shatavari, 3 to 4 pinches Powdered Ashwagandha, 3 to 4 pinches Powdered Licorice, 2 tablespoons Clarified Butter (Cow’s milk preferred), 2 tablespoons Kudzu juice, 2 tablespoons Sugarcane Juice, 1 tablespoon Powdered Sugar Candy, 1 tablespoon Honey, 1 pinch Long Pepper and Half glass Cow’s milk. Take a wok. Put all dry ingredients except Long Pepper and 3 glasses water in it. Boil till it remains 1/4. Add Clarified Butter, Kudzu Juice, Sugarcane Juice and Milk. Heat again till Clarified Butter floats to the top. Stir time to time. Remove from heat. Add Sugar Candy, Honey and Long Pepper. Mix all. Have one teaspoon once a day. Preferable at night.
• Asthenospermia: Take 100 gram Black gram, 100 gram Velvet Bean, 10 gram Asparagus Racemosus, 10 gram Withania Somnifera and 10 gram Licorice. Powder them together. Boil in 10 glasses of water till it remains 1/4 part. Add half cup Ghee, half cup Kudzu, half cup Sugarcane juice and 2 glass milk (Cow). Heat on low flame till Ghee floats. Remove from heat. Now add 4 tablespoons Sugar Candy, 4 tablespoons Honey and 4 pinches Long Pepper powder. Stir. Have one teaspoon once a day.
• Oligospermia: Take 10 Long Peppers and one cup of Black Gram. Fry in Sesame Oil and allow it to cool. Then grind coarsely. Now take a jar, put coarsely ground ingredients, 10 gram Clarified Butter, 10 gram Honey and 10 gram Cardamom. Grind them all. Have one teaspoon mixture with milk at bed time, daily for a week.
• Rheumatism: Grind 50 grams each of Dry Ginger, Long Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Bay Leaf together. Now boil 350 grams of Dry Ginger, 800 grams Ghee and 1/4 Kg Sugar in 2.5 Kg Cow’s Milk. Mix both the preparations and store in a glass pot. Take One tablespoon twice a day regularly to get rid of Rheumatism. It also enhances body glow and power and is very useful especially for women.
• Cold: Grind Dry Ginger, Long Pepper and Black Pepper together in equal quantities. Add some Honey in 2 pinches of this mixture and lick. OR Grind equal quantity of dry Ginger, Black Pepper and Long Pepper. Mix 1/4 Jaggery in this mixture and make small tablets. Take one tablet thrice a day.
• Headache: Prepare a paste of dry Ginger, Long Pepper, root of Chili plant, seeds of Drumstick and Indian Beech with Cow Urine. Headache disappears by smelling this mixture.
• Tuberculosis: Take One tablespoon of Long pepper and two tablespoon of Withania Somnifera. Grind together. Mix Honey and Ghee to it. Take this mixture twice a day.
• Hydrocele: Take dried fruit powder of Terminalia Chebula, roasted Long Pepper powder and rock salt in equal quantity. Mix them properly. Add some water to make dough. Make equal size tablets with it. Dry and store them. Take 3 tablets in a day before half an hour of every meal. Use it for 2 months.
• Hiccups: Take 1 tablespoon Indian Gooseberry Juice, 1 pinch Long Pepper Powder, 2 teaspoons Honey. Mix all ingredients. Lick it.
• Diarrhea: Take 500 g root bark of Ixora Coccinea and 300 g Long Pepper. Grind them to make powder. Take 2 g of it twice a day with lukewarm water.
• Bronchitis: Grind leaves of Indian Thorny Bamboo to obtain juice. Add quarter tsp powder of each Long Pepper, Cardamom, Jaggery and Clove in 1 glass of obtained juice. Drink 4 ml of the mixture once a day.
• Fever: Take 50 g Nut Grass tuber, 50 g dried Ginger, 20 g Long Pepper and 30 g roots of Adhatoda Vasica. Make a decoction. Drink 5 ml of it thrice a day.
• Indigestion: Take equal quantity of Sweet Flag, Asafetida, Aconitum Heterophyllum, Ginger, Black Pepper and Long Pepper. Grind them to make powder. Take 2 g of it with lukewarm water once a day.
• Impotence: Mix tuber juice of Asparagus Racemosus with Butter and Milk in 1:1:8 ratios. Mix well till it gets waxy consistency. Add 20 g each of Jaggery, Honey and Long Pepper. Take 1 tsp of the mixture twice a day.
• Asthma: Take 150 g Raisin, 200 g Date Palm, 50 ml Honey and 50 g Long Pepper. Grind them to make paste. Take 1 tsp twice a day with warm Milk.
• Anorexia: Take equal quantity of Dried Ginger root, Long Pepper, Celery seeds, Cumin and salt. Grind them to make powder. Store. Take half tsp with your meal. Have it two times a day.
• Bronchitis: Take Black Pepper, Long Pepper and dried Ginger in equal quantity. Grind them to make powder. Take 3 g of it by adding some Honey.
• Piles: Mix equal amount of Long Pepper powder and Turmeric powder. Add Milk to make paste. Apply it over external Piles.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Take equal amount of Dried Ginger root, Black Pepper and Long Pepper. Grind them to make powder. Take half teaspoon of it with lukewarm water once a day.
• Poor Blood Circulation: Add Ginger, Long Pepper, Black Pepper and Honey in equal quantities. Make small tablets. Take 1 tablet thrice a day. Avoid in summer season.
• Indigestion: Take 3 parts of both Asafetida and Atractylodes and 2 teaspoons of Cumin Seed, Caraway Seed, Long Pepper, Black Pepper, Ginger, Dandelion, Slippery Elm, Green Citrus Peel and Rock Salt. Grind all these together and make a fine powder. Take One tablespoon after meals. It improves digestion and relieves gas.
• Fever: If Fever is due to Malaria then try this remedy: Take roasted seeds of Caesalpinia Bonduc with same quantity of Long Pepper. Grind them to make powder. Take quarter teaspoon of it with one teaspoon Honey. Have it twice a day.
• Libido Loss Male: Boil One tablespoon powdered Ashwagandha root and two pinches of Long Pepper in One cup of water. Drink a small portion of this decoction thrice a day for 15-20 days. It calms the nerves and enhance libido. You can also add some Honey for taste.
• Digestive Disorders: Take Black Pepper, Dried Ginger and Long Pepper in equal parts. Add some Honey for taste. Take on an empty stomach in the morning. Eat lightly after 2 hours. It also reduces Obesity.
• Expectorant: Grind Caesalpinia Bonduc seeds and Long Pepper in equal quantity. Take 1/4 teaspoon with Honey in morning for 3 days.
• Teething Problems: Mix a pinch of Long Pepper in 1/4 teaspoon Honey. Massage it on the gums of the child with a soft hand.
• Malaria: Take 2 grams of each Night Jasmine stem bark, Long Pepper and Ginger. Boil them in a glass of water on a low flame. Have it for 2 to 3 days.
• Obesity: Take 100 gm. each of Carom and Fennel. Throw in 3 or 4 cloves, about 10 black peppers and half a teaspoon of Long Pepper. Keep them in the sun to dry out the moisture or roast them a little. Grind them to make powder. Take one teaspoon of this powder with a little Jaggery twice a day. Take for 15 days. Give a break for a week and repeat.
• Headache: Fry Long Pepper and powder it. Add equal amount of powder Black Pepper Dry Ginger. Sniff a pinch of powder once a day.
• Migraine: Union of Long Pepper, Black Pepper and Ginger becomes an effective remedy to combat Migraine. Take them in dry form. Roast them. Powder them and store in a jar. Sniff a pinch of powder to cure Migraine.
• Indigestion: Add 1 tablespoon each of dried Ginger powder, Long pepper powder, Curry leaf powder, Carom powder, Black pepper powder, Cumin powder and Asafetida in 1 teaspoon of Sesame Oil and fry this mixture. Add a pinch of Rock Salt in it. Consume 1 teaspoon of this mixture with steamed rice.

Culinary Uses

• Dried unripe and ripe Infructescences are used as a spice for curries, preserves and pickles.
• Both dry and unripe spikes are available in the local wet markets in Java.
• Seeds are used as a spice.
• It is used as a seasoning in curries, preserves and pickle.
• Leaves and berries of this pepper are edible.
• In some countries, it is used for green peppercorn spice.
• It is fiery and more pungent than black pepper.
• In India, it is mainly used for pickles.
• Ripe and unripe fruits are used as spice in curries.

Precautions

• Long Pepper is hot in potency. It may cause Intestinal Inflammation and excess heat in the body.
• Excess of Long Pepper increases Tridoshas.
• Avoid use if you are taking Anticoagulants.
• Consult your Doctor or Physician if Pregnant
• Avoid dosage to infants.

Other Facts

• Java long pepper is an important ingredient in various formulations of jamu (Indonesian traditional medicine), thus is also called cabe jamu .
• It is equally widely used in jamu and as a culinary spice in Indonesia.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=506526#null

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/PIPRE

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/tro-25004117

http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Piper+retrofractum

https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/226127

http://www.stuartxchange.com/Litlit.html

https://www.easyayurveda.com/2015/02/27/chavya-piper-retrofractum-uses-research-side-effects/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piper_retrofractum

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PIRE9

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