Evidence supporting the use of: Piper nigrum
For the health condition: Congestion (bronchial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Piper nigrum, commonly known as black pepper, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating respiratory ailments, including bronchial congestion. In these traditional contexts, black pepper is often included in herbal preparations to help loosen phlegm, stimulate circulation, and ease breathing. Its pungency is believed to help "open up" the airways and promote expectoration.
The active component, piperine, is thought to have mild irritant and stimulant effects on the mucous membranes, which may encourage the expulsion of mucus. Additionally, black pepper is sometimes used in decoctions or teas with other herbs aimed at relieving cough and cold symptoms. However, while these uses are well documented in ethnobotanical literature, there is a lack of robust clinical trials or scientific studies directly validating the efficacy of Piper nigrum for bronchial congestion in humans. Most modern research on black pepper focuses on its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and bioavailability-enhancing properties rather than respiratory effects.
In summary, while Piper nigrum is traditionally used for bronchial congestion, current scientific evidence is insufficient to fully support these claims, and its use for this purpose remains rooted in historical practice rather than rigorous clinical validation.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (bronchial)
allspicealoe vera
alpha-pinene
waterhyssop
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
caffeine
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese salvia root
clove
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ethanol
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
onion
green tea
horseradish
Indian tinospora
licorice root
lovage
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
spruce
ophiopogon root
oregano
perilla
phellodendron amurense
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
yellow root
squawvine
boneset
mullein
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
capsicum
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
siler root
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
abies spectabilis
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
soursop
Alcohol
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Alpha-terpineol
Ardisia
Angelica
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl Sulfide
Adenophora
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Black spruce
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bisabolene
Bael
berry
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bee products
Bombax
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Bupleurum
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Curcumen
Cistus
Curcuma
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Culvers Root
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Diterpenes
Ephedra
European Elder
Eclipta
Echinacea
Elder
Essential Oil Blend
Ephedrine
Galangal
Ivy
Mustard
Mallow
Sandalwood
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Piper nigrum
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Canker Sores
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (children)
Cuts
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Fever
Gingivitis
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)