Pippali, the benefits and uses

If the common black pepper is a spice very well known and appreciated even in the West, today we want to talk about one of its most exotic relatives, pippali (long pepper), a very important plant of the Ayurvedic tradition.

Outwardly, its fruits are rather peculiar, that is to say with a long and tapering shape, widely used in all Asian cuisine and, despite being almost unknown at our latitudes, they were known and appreciated since Roman times.

With its round and aromatic flavor, the long pepper is more spicy and warm than the black pepper that appears more spicy. In the kitchen it is widely used in North Africa and goes well with desserts.

But what are its beneficial properties ?

The properties of pippali

Especially in winter, pippali should not be missing in our pantry because it is very useful in case of colds, typical of this season.

bones, catarrhes, bronchial asthma, inflammation of the nasal passages: this spice is a panacea for the respiratory system ! On a more general level, it vitalizes the immune system and is widely used for its anti-inflammatory properties .

Pippali is traditionally used to awaken digestion, reviving the digestive fire and, mixed with other ingredients, is used to treat gastric acidity .

Last but not least, it is considered a powerful aphrodisiac, essential for maintaining the gentilial organs and the reproductive system in good health. Excellent against fatigue, it is a powerful tonic.

In relation to the doshas, the long pepper has overall reconciling power by acting on both the ailment-related disorders, thanks to its heating power, and those connected to kapha, due to its mucolytic properties.

In excessive doses, it tends to act in a particularly incisive way on pitta so be careful not to over-feed ... the fire!

A versatile spice: from table to sweet natural remedy

A highly perfumed plant, rich in properties and excellent both at the table and as a natural remedy for small seasonal ailments : we could enrich our evening herbal tea with some precious long Indian pepper grain and enjoy all its benefits.