The efficacy and function of Piper longum

Piper longum is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine and is very helpful for many diseases. Below we will give a brief introduction to Piper nigrum.

【English name】 FRUCTUS PIPERIS LONGI

【Other Names】 Piper serrata, Rat Tail

[Source] This product is the dried nearly mature or mature fruit clusters of Piper longum L., a plant of the Piperaceae family. The fruit clusters are harvested when they turn from green to black, and then impurities are removed and sun-dried.

[Properties] This product is cylindrical, slightly curved, and composed of many small berries, 1.5 to 3.5 cm long and 0.3 to 0.5 cm in diameter. The surface is dark brown or brown, with small protrusions arranged neatly in an oblique direction, and the fruit stalks at the base remain or have fallen off. It is hard and brittle, easy to break, with an irregular and granular cross section. The small berries are spherical, about 0.1cm in diameter. It has a unique aroma and spicy taste.

【Identification】 (1) The powder of this product is gray-brown. The stone cells are round, oblong or polygonal, with a diameter of 25 to 61 μm and a length of up to 170 μm. They have thick walls and some have obvious stratification. The oil cells are round in shape, with a diameter of 25 to 66 μm. The seed coat cells are reddish brown, long polygonal, and the walls are bead-like and thickened. Starch granules are small and often aggregate into clumps.

【Processing】Remove impurities. Crush when using.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, hot.

[return through meridians] return the stomach and large intestine meridians.

【Functions and indications】Warms the middle and dispels cold, relieves gas and relieves pain. Used for cold pain in the abdomen, vomiting, diarrhea, migraine; external treatment for toothache.

【Usage and Dosage】 1.5～3g. Apply an appropriate amount externally, grind into powder and plug into the holes of decayed teeth.

【Storage】 Store in a cool and dry place to prevent moth damage.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] Kaibao Materia Medica

Through the introduction in this article, we can learn some relevant knowledge about Piper longum. Whether from the perspective of food health or traditional Chinese medicine, the role of Piper longum cannot be underestimated.