Piper chaba, commonly known as "Chaba" or "long pepper," has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and traditional Thai medicine. It is often employed as a remedy for respiratory ailments, including cough, bronchitis, and sore throat. The fruit and stem are considered to possess expectorant and warming properties, which, according to traditional practices, help to clear mucus and alleviate cough symptoms.

The supporting evidence for Piper chaba in the treatment of cough is primarily anecdotal and based on its long-standing traditional use rather than robust scientific validation. Ethnobotanical surveys from South and Southeast Asia frequently document its use in herbal formulations for respiratory complaints. However, there are very few clinical or preclinical studies specifically investigating Piper chaba's efficacy for cough. A limited number of in vitro and animal studies suggest that the plant may have anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties, which could theoretically benefit respiratory health, but these findings are not sufficient to confirm its effectiveness for cough treatment in humans.

In summary, the use of Piper chaba for cough is justified by traditional practices with some preliminary pharmacological indications, but there is a lack of high-quality scientific studies directly supporting its use for this condition.