
Pippali Herbal Powder (Piper longum)This close relative to black pepper is a famous respiratory and digestive tonic. |
Preparation: Pippali is frequently brewed and served in warm milk as a popular Ayurvedic tonic (rasayana). Others sprinkle it directly on food for taste and as a digestive. Mix pippal with honey and use to warm and coat the back of throat. It may be simply brewed in a tea as well.
Dosage: 1/8tsp 2/x day.
4oz is approximately one month's supply.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
The reports shared below are part of an educational assignment completed by students at the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda. These represent subjective experiences intended to help students explore principles of Ayurveda through personal observation. In each report below, students ate the selected food for 3 days and self-reported these effects. See other food & herb reports at Joyful Belly.
How did Pippali affect your temperature?
0 |
1 |
8 |
21 |
9 |
Much colder | Slightly colder | Same | Slightly warmer | Much warmer |
How did Pippali affect your ear temperature?
5 |
16 |
0 |
Hotter | No Change | Cooler |
How did Pippali affect your sweat quantity?
0 |
0 |
22 |
16 |
1 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the color of your skin?
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
12 |
Yellower/Greener | Paler | Redder | Grayer | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the color of your tongue body?
1 |
24 |
0 |
14 |
Paler | Redder | Bluer | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the swelling of your tongue body?
5 |
4 |
29 |
More Swelling | Less Swelling | No Change |
How did Pippali affect your appetite/hunger?
0 |
0 |
9 |
25 |
5 |
Much less hungry | Slightly less hungry | Same | Slightly hungrier | Much hungrier |
How did Pippali affect your digestion speed?
4 |
23 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
Much faster | Slightly faster | Same | Slightly slower | Much slower |
How did Pippali affect the amount of gas & bloating?
2 |
12 |
21 |
4 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your stool smell?
0 |
3 |
22 |
14 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
2 |
18 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
Much smaller | Slightly less | Same | Slightly larger coating | Much larger |
How did Pippali affect the color of your tongue coating?
8 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
27 |
Yellower | Browner | Grayer | Whiter | No Change |
How did Pippali affect your throat soreness?
2 |
16 |
3 |
More sore | No Change | Less sore |
How did Pippali affect your urine smell?
0 |
1 |
33 |
5 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
1 |
0 |
35 |
3 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Many more |
How did Pippali affect your sweat smell?
0 |
1 |
31 |
7 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your acne?
1 |
20 |
0 |
More acne | No Change | Less acne |
How did Pippali affect your freckles/moles?
0 |
21 |
0 |
Darker | No Change | Lighter |
How did Pippali affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Redder/Bloodshot | Yellower | Grayer | Browner | Whiter |
16 | ||||
No Change |
How did Pippali affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
More green/dark green | More purple | No Change | Less green/purple |
How did Pippali affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0 |
2 |
31 |
6 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the dryness of your skin?
5 |
2 |
14 |
Drier | Oilier | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
0 |
18 |
3 |
Puffier | No Change | Less Puffy |
How did Pippali affect the cracks on your tongue?
2 |
7 |
27 |
3 |
0 |
Larger/longer/more cracks | Slightly more | Same | Slightly less/smaller/shorter | Much less |
How did Pippali affect your ear pressure?
4 |
15 |
2 |
More pressure | No Change | Less pressure |
How did Pippali affect your congestion?
1 |
8 |
12 |
More congestion | No Change | Less congestion |
How did Pippali affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0 |
10 |
11 |
More thick | No Change | Less thick |
How did Pippali affect your energy levels?
0 |
0 |
26 |
12 |
1 |
Much less energy | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more energy | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your muscle tension?
1 |
10 |
21 |
7 |
0 |
Much less tension | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more tension | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your anxiety?
0 |
11 |
22 |
6 |
0 |
Much less anxiety | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more anxiety | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the stillness of your tongue?
3 |
27 |
9 |
More still | No Change | More Trembling / Jittery |
How did Pippali affect the amount of gas & bloating?
2 |
12 |
21 |
4 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your appetite/hunger?
0 |
0 |
9 |
25 |
5 |
Much less hungry | Slightly less hungry | Same | Slightly hungrier | Much hungrier |
How did Pippali affect burning sensations in digestive tract (do not include acid reflux)?
1 |
0 |
15 |
4 |
1 |
Much relief | Slight relief | Same | Slightly more burning | Much more burning |
How did Pippali affect your digestion speed?
4 |
23 |
11 |
1 |
0 |
Much faster | Slightly faster | Same | Slightly slower | Much slower |
How did Pippali affect the swelling of your tongue body?
5 |
4 |
29 |
More Swelling | Less Swelling | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the stillness of your tongue?
3 |
27 |
9 |
More still | No Change | More Trembling / Jittery |
How did Pippali affect the thickness & size of your tongue coating?
2 |
18 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
Much smaller | Slightly less | Same | Slightly larger coating | Much larger |
How did Pippali affect the cracks on your tongue?
2 |
7 |
27 |
3 |
0 |
Larger/longer/more cracks | Slightly more | Same | Slightly less/smaller/shorter | Much less |
How did Pippali affect the color of your tongue body?
1 |
24 |
0 |
14 |
Paler | Redder | Bluer | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the color of your tongue coating?
8 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
27 |
Yellower | Browner | Grayer | Whiter | No Change |
How did Pippali affect your stool smell?
0 |
3 |
22 |
14 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your stool consistency?
4 |
19 |
12 |
4 |
0 |
Much softer | Slightly softer | Same | Slightly harder | Much harder |
How did Pippali affect your stool frequency/quantity?
1 |
2 |
15 |
18 |
3 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your stool color?
7 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
25 |
More yellow | More gray | More green | More orange | Same |
How did Pippali affect your stool lightness?
1 |
15 |
19 |
3 |
1 |
Much lighter | Slightly lighter | Same | Slightly darker | Much darker |
How did Pippali affect your urine clarity?
0 |
33 |
6 |
More cloudy | Same | More clear |
How did Pippali affect your urine smell?
0 |
1 |
33 |
5 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your urine lightness?
0 |
3 |
33 |
3 |
0 |
Much lighter | Slightly lighter | Same | Slightly Darker | Much Darker |
How did Pippali affect your urine frequency/quantity?
0 |
2 |
31 |
6 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect the amount of bubbles in your urine?
1 |
0 |
35 |
3 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Many more |
How did Pippali affect your sweat smell?
0 |
1 |
31 |
7 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your sweat quantity?
0 |
0 |
22 |
16 |
1 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your acne?
1 |
20 |
0 |
More acne | No Change | Less acne |
How did Pippali affect the dryness of your skin?
5 |
2 |
14 |
Drier | Oilier | No Change |
How did Pippali affect the color of your skin?
0 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
12 |
Yellower/Greener | Paler | Redder | Grayer | No Change |
How did Pippali affect your freckles/moles?
0 |
21 |
0 |
Darker | No Change | Lighter |
How did Pippali affect the color of your sclera (white part of eye)?
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
Redder/Bloodshot | Yellower | Grayer | Browner | Whiter |
16 | ||||
No Change |
How did Pippali affect the color of the lower eye lid?
0 |
0 |
21 |
0 |
More green/dark green | More purple | No Change | Less green/purple |
How did Pippali affect the puffiness of lower eye lid?
0 |
18 |
3 |
Puffier | No Change | Less Puffy |
How did Pippali affect your ear temperature?
5 |
16 |
0 |
Hotter | No Change | Cooler |
How did Pippali affect your congestion?
1 |
8 |
12 |
More congestion | No Change | Less congestion |
How did Pippali affect your ear pressure?
4 |
15 |
2 |
More pressure | No Change | Less pressure |
How did Pippali affect your throat soreness?
2 |
16 |
3 |
More sore | No Change | Less sore |
How did Pippali affect the thickness of your mucous congestion?
0 |
10 |
11 |
More thick | No Change | Less thick |
How did Pippali affect your muscle tension?
1 |
10 |
21 |
7 |
0 |
Much less tension | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more tension | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your anxiety?
0 |
11 |
22 |
6 |
0 |
Much less anxiety | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more anxiety | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your temperature?
0 |
1 |
8 |
21 |
9 |
Much colder | Slightly colder | Same | Slightly warmer | Much warmer |
How did Pippali affect your energy levels?
0 |
0 |
26 |
12 |
1 |
Much less energy | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more energy | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your heart pain/pressure/cramping?
1 |
0 |
18 |
2 |
0 |
Much less | Slightly less | Same | Slightly more | Much more |
How did Pippali affect your heart rate?
0 |
0 |
9 |
12 |
0 |
Much slower | Slightly slower | Same | Slightly faster | Much faster |
How did Pippali affect your heart rhythm?
3 |
17 |
1 |
More palpitations | Same | Less palpitations |
Note: These exercises are not part of an FDA-regulated study, and were not designed or conducted under a clinical research protocol. They are neither investigational in nature nor scientific findings. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. They are experiential assignments rooted in traditional Ayurvedic education, intended solely for instructional use. No conclusions should be drawn regarding the therapeutic effects of any food, herb, or dietary substance based on these student reflections.
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Pippali may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.
Pippali may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.
Pippali, also known as long pepper (Piper longum), is a medicinal herb used for its various health benefits. However, there are some contraindications and precautions to be aware of:Pregnancy - Pippali should be avoided during pregnancy as it may cause uterine contractions and lead to complications.
Gastrointestinal Issues - Pippali can be quite potent and may irritate the gastrointestinal tract. It could worsen symptoms like acidity, heartburn, or ulcers. Those with a sensitive stomach or digestive issues should use it cautiously.
Blood Thinners - Pippali has mild blood-thinning properties, which may enhance the effects of anticoagulant or blood-thinning medications like warfarin or aspirin. If you are on such medications, it is important to consult a healthcare provider before using Pippali.
Low Blood Pressure - Pippali may lower blood pressure. Those with hypotension or on medication for high blood pressure should be cautious, as it may cause blood pressure to drop too low.
Liver Disease - Since Pippali is metabolized in the liver, people with liver conditions should be cautious or avoid it unless under medical supervision.
Sensitivity to Spices - People who are sensitive to strong spices or have conditions like gastritis or peptic ulcers should avoid Pippali as it may aggravate the symptoms.
Interference with Medications - Pippali can interact with some medications, including those for diabetes, as it may lower blood sugar levels. If you are on diabetes medication, it's important to monitor your blood sugar levels closely.
Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’