Piper retrofractum
Piper retrofractum, commonly known as Long Pepper, is a highly valued medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, its pungent rhizomes possess potent warming properties. It is widely used to treat digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and inflammation, serving as a vital therapeutic agent in traditional wellness.
- Scientific name: Piper retrofractum
- Family: Piperaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Piperaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized within the genus Piper as the species Piper retrofractum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Piperaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Piper | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Piper retrofractum, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Japan, it is known as ヒハツモドキ (ja), while in China, it is referred to as 假荜拔 (zh). Its names in Southeast Asia vary by local dialect, being called Tiêu đôi (vi) in Vietnam, Cabai jawa (id) in Indonesia, and Cabé (jv) in Javanese.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ja | ヒハツモドキ | Wikidata |
| zh | 假荜拔 | Wikidata |
| vi | Tiêu đôi | Wikidata |
| id | Cabai jawa | Wikidata |
| jv | Cabé | Wikidata |
| map-bms | Cabe jawa | Wikidata |
| ban | Tabia bun | Wikidata |
| cs | pepřovník lékařský | Wikidata |
| mad | Cabbhi alas | Wikidata |
| ms | Cabai jawa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it is specifically found throughout the South-Central areas. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its presence extends to both Bangladesh and the East Himalaya region. The species also populates parts of Indo-China, including the country of Cambodia. Finally, its range reaches into Laos, completing its distribution across these diverse territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Lesser Sunda Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Philippines | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Piper retrofractum, is a climbing vine where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The medicinal value is most prominently found in the fruits, which are typically harvested when mature to extract their bioactive compounds. Each individual fruit contains the essential oils and alkaloids necessary for its healing effects. Additionally, the stem provides the structural support for the vine and can be used in certain traditional preparations. While the primary focus is often on the reproductive structures, the roots of the plant are also recognized for their pharmacological potential, and sometimes a specific root extract is processed to treat various ailments.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 30
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| fruit | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| stem | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| spikes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit of Piper longum Linn. | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Piper retrofractum has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dipiperamide G, Lyciumamide C, flavonoid, piperine, piperlonguminine.
- Total chemicals
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Dipiperamide G | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lyciumamide C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| piperlonguminine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Piper retrofractum has 29 reported activities identified across 58 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Analgesic, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 29
- Scientific sources
- 58
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticancer | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihistaminic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Piper retrofractum has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Chikungunya Virus, diarrhea, hypertension, obesity, schizophrenia.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Chikungunya Virus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schizophrenia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |