Piper retrofractum, commonly known as Javanese long pepper, has a history of use in traditional medicine systems in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Thailand. Its application for digestive complaints, including belching (eructation), can be traced to ethnobotanical reports and local herbal practices. In traditional Jamu (Indonesian herbal medicine) and Thai herbal medicine, Piper retrofractum is often employed to stimulate digestion, reduce bloating, and alleviate symptoms such as flatulence and belching. The plant's pungent constituents, primarily piperine and related alkaloids, are believed to increase gastrointestinal motility and promote the expulsion of gas, which may in turn help with belching.

However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. While some in vitro and animal studies suggest that Piper retrofractum may have spasmolytic and carminative effects on the gastrointestinal tract, direct clinical evidence in humans for its efficacy specifically in treating belching is lacking. Most of the support for its use in this context is thus rooted in longstanding traditional practice rather than rigorous clinical research. Nonetheless, the historical and ethnomedical context provides a rationale for its inclusion in remedies targeting digestive disturbances such as belching.