Traditional Uses, Pharmacological Properties and Therapeutic Potential of Piper longum: A Comprehensive Overview

Piper longum, commonly known as long pepper, is a significant medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine systems. This perennial climber, native to India, has been valued for its potent therapeutic properties, primarily attributed to its active constituents such as piperine, piperlongumine, and essential oils. Long pepper exhibits a broad spectrum of medicinal benefits, including its use as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic agent. Its efficacy in treating respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and cough is well-documented. Piper longum is a plant with a rich history of use in traditional medicine and a growing body of scientific evidence supporting its therapeutic potential. In Ayurveda, the plant is mainly used to cure respiratory disorders. The roots of this plant are helpful to cure bronchitis, spleen diseases, stomachaches and tumor. It is used to treat diseases like krimi (parasitic disease), pliha roga (spleen disorders), kshaya (pulmonary tuberculosis), shwasa (dyspnea), urastambha (stiffness of thigh), grahni (dysentery), vatavyadhi (nervous diseases), vishama jvara (intermittent fever), arsha (piles), nidranasha (insomnia) and other disorders. Its diverse pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects, alongside its ability to enhance drug bioavailability, underscore its importance in modern medicine. P. longum is mainly used to treat respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, asthma and stomach-related disorders such as gynaec problems, indigestion, asthma, tuberculosis. Future research will be crucial in translating these findings into clinical practice.