Evidence supporting the use of: Piper retrofractum
For the health condition: Congestion
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Piper retrofractum, commonly known as Javanese long pepper, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in Southeast Asia. Traditional healers have employed it for a variety of ailments, including respiratory congestion, coughs, and colds. Its usage for congestion is primarily based on its pungent properties, which are believed to help clear mucus and stimulate respiratory function. The fruit contains piperine and other alkaloids, which are thought to act as expectorants and provide relief from blocked airways in folk remedies.
However, scientific validation for these claims is limited. While Piper retrofractum has demonstrated some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory studies, direct clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for treating or relieving congestion in humans is lacking. Most of the literature documenting its use for congestion is ethnobotanical or anecdotal, stemming from traditional practices rather than from randomized controlled trials or rigorous clinical studies. Therefore, while there is a strong traditional basis for its use in treating congestion, the overall quality and quantity of evidence remain low, justifying a modest evidence rating.
Other ingredients used for Congestion
AconiteAgastache
Akebia
Alcohol
Allicin
Allspice
alpha-terpineol
anise
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
atractylodes
atractylone
balsam
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee products
berry
beta-pinene
betel
birch
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black currant
black pepper
black salt
blackboard tree
Bombax
borneol
buckthorn
Buddha\'s hand
cajuput
Camellia sinensis
cardamom
cayenne pepper
chamomile
Chinese raisintree
cineole
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coltsfoot
cowherb
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
ferula assafoetida
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
heal-all
honey
Horsemint
horseradish
hyssop
Isatis
Ivy
joe-pye
lemongrass
licorice root
Ligusticum
long pepper
malabar nut
mallow
Meadow sage
Menthol oil
Monoterpenes
Mugwort
Nardostachys
Orris
Osha
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
pomegranate
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Sambucus nigra
Sassafras
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
Sichuan pepper
spearmint leaf
squawvine
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tayuya
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
vitamin C
Wasabi
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Piper retrofractum
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Belching
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sinus Infection
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores
