The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s21.t1.52

c5.s21.t1.52

THE dried catkins and the root of *Piper longum* are used in medicine. They are considered heating, stimulant, carminative, alterative, laxative and useful in cough, hoarseness, asthma, dyspepsia, paralysis, etc. Old long pepper is said to be more efficacious than the fresh article. In the form of *trikatu* or the three acrids (see *Piper nigrum*), it is much used as an aromatic adjunct in compound prescriptions. Powdered long pepper, administered with honey, is said to relieve cough, asthma, hoarseness, hiccup and sleeplessness.² A mixture of long pepper, long pepper root, black pepper and ginger in equal parts, is prescribed by several writers as a useful combination for catarrh and hoarseness.³