Evidence supporting the use of: Javanese Long Pepper
For the health condition: Cough (damp)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Javanese Long Pepper (Piper retrofractum) has a long history of use in traditional Southeast Asian and Indonesian herbal medicine, especially in Jamu (Indonesian traditional medicine). According to traditional practices, it is used to help alleviate coughs associated with the concept of "dampness"—a term from traditional medicine systems that refers to phlegm or excessive mucus production. The warming and pungent nature of Javanese Long Pepper is thought to help "dry" dampness and clear respiratory passages. Classical herbal texts and ethnobotanical records from Indonesia, Java, and neighboring regions often cite its use for coughs, bronchitis, and related respiratory complaints.
However, scientific evidence for its efficacy in treating cough, especially "damp" cough, is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilatory properties in Piper species, but direct clinical trials or rigorous studies on humans for this specific use are lacking. Therefore, while its use is well established in tradition and supported by extensive ethnobotanical literature, modern research has yet to robustly validate these effects. Its role in treating cough (damp) remains primarily justified by traditional usage rather than scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Cough (damp)
AdenophoraAllium tuberosum
Aloe vera
alpinia galangal
Anamarrhena
anise
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
atractylodes
atractylone
bael
balloon flower
black currant
black pepper
butternut
Chekiang Fritillary
chen pi
Chondrus
cineole
clove
coltsfoot
common madia
cowage seed
Dichrostachys glomerata
elderberry
eucalyptus
ferula assafoetida
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
garlic bulb
ginger
glehnia root
green tea
Grindelia
honey
horehound
hyssop
inula racemosa
Ivy
Japanese kadsura
Javanese Long Pepper
licorice root
Ligusticum
ligustilides
Lilium polyphyllum
long pepper
loquat
Loranthus
Mentha haplocalyx
Monoterpenes
Mucolase
oregano
Osha
parsley
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
Pinellia ternata
pistacia integerrima gall
Platycodon
platycodon root
pomegranate
quercetin
radish
ravinsara
rhizome
Shogaol
Solanaceae
Sundew
Tamarind
thyme
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinol
Vasicinone
Visnea Mocanera
Wax Gourd
Zedoary
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Other health conditions supported by Javanese Long Pepper
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Asthma
Backache
Belching
Bronchitis
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cough (spastic)
Digestion (poor)
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Indigestion
Inflammation
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)
Sore Throat
Ulcers
