Evidence supporting the use of: White Pepper
For the health condition: Cough (damp)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

White pepper (Piper nigrum, the ripe seed with the outer skin removed) has been used traditionally in various systems of medicine, especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, for respiratory conditions including coughs associated with "dampness." In TCM, white pepper is considered warming and is believed to disperse cold and dampness, promote Qi circulation, and help alleviate symptoms such as cough with excessive phlegm, especially when the phlegm is moist or "damp" in nature. The traditional rationale is based on the pungent and warming properties of white pepper, which are thought to help transform phlegm and clear blockages in the respiratory tract.

There is, however, limited scientific validation for these specific uses. While some laboratory studies have explored the general anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and expectorant-like effects of piperine (the active compound in pepper), direct clinical evidence supporting the use of white pepper specifically for cough, particularly damp cough, is lacking. Most of the support for its use remains anecdotal or grounded in traditional herbal formularies rather than rigorous clinical research.

In summary, white pepper’s application for cough (damp) is primarily justified by historical and traditional usage in TCM, with only indirect or limited scientific evidence for its effectiveness in this indication.

More about White Pepper
More about Cough (damp)

Products containing White Pepper

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.