Evidence supporting the use of: Javanese Long Pepper
For the health condition: Cough (spastic)

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

Javanese Long Pepper (Piper retrofractum) has been traditionally used in Southeast Asian herbal medicine, particularly in Javanese and other Indonesian systems, to help alleviate respiratory conditions such as coughs, including spastic or persistent coughs. The traditional rationale is based on its warming, expectorant, and stimulant properties, believed to help loosen phlegm and ease airway irritation. Javanese Long Pepper is closely related to Indian long pepper (Piper longum), which features prominently in Ayurveda for similar indications.

Despite a long history of ethnomedicinal use, scientific validation is limited. Few in vitro or animal studies suggest mild antitussive or bronchodilatory effects, but these often focus on related species or on isolated compounds like piperine, rather than on Piper retrofractum itself. No robust clinical trials directly support its efficacy for treating spastic cough in humans. Therefore, its use for this indication remains primarily justified by traditional practice, with minimal scientific corroboration to date.

More about Javanese Long Pepper
More about Cough (spastic)

Products containing Javanese Long Pepper

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