Piper longum (Bengal Pepper)

Piper longum

Botanical name: Piper longum

Common names: Bengal Pepper, Indian Long Pepper, Pippali, Piplamul

Origin: South Asia

Long pepper is an edible and medicinal plant used as spice and in traditional Chinese medicine. It is cultivated for its fruit, which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Long pepper has a taste similar to, but sweeter and less pungent than, that of its close relative Piper nigrum (Black pepper) - from which black, green and white pepper are obtained.

Long Pepper is highly valued medicinal plant with decongestant, bronchodilator and expectorant effects, used to treat respiratory infections, stomachache, bronchitis, diseases of the spleen, cough, and much more.

The plant grows into a vining shrub or a vine that can climp a tree, trellis or fence. Prefers shade to semi-shade and adequate water. The leaves of Piper longum start as heart shaped in juvenile plants and may get more elongated as the plant matures.

The species Piper longum is of South Asian origin (Deccan peninsular), whereas the closely related Piper retrofractum

comes from South East Asia and is mostly cultivated in Indonesia and Thailand.

See Article about Pipers.