A close cousin to Black Pepper, Long Pepper, or “Piper longum,” is less known, but highly valued in Ayurveda. Used for millennia, it is one of three ingredients in the Ayurvedic formula Trikatu — along with Ginger and Black Pepper. Indian Long Pepper’s Sanskrit name, “Pippali,” means “to drink and digest,” which hearkens to the spice’s potent ability to support digestion and detoxification. The poppy-seed-sized fruit of this flowering, aromatic climber is dried to use for culinary purposes, as well as in health remedies.
What sets ORGANIC INDIA Long Pepper apart?
ORGANIC INDIA takes every avenue to operate in a way that is Beyond Sustainable, for both the planet and the amazing partners we work with. Our Long Pepper is grown, harvested and prepared in adherence to the following principles and practices:
- Regenerative Agriculture. We are deeply rooted in agriculture that is beyond sustainable—it’s regenerative. What this means is our farming practices not only preserve the land, they make it better. Regenerative means replenished soil, improved biodiversity, enhanced water conservation, and increased carbon sequestration. We look beyond our crop to the whole earth and our responsibility to it as a healthy conscious living company.
- Small Family Farmers. We contract with small, family-owned farms across India and purchase crops at premium market price. Most of our partners have been with us for more than ten years, and each is an integral part of our herbal family. We provide all of our farmers fair wages, health insurance and ongoing training by agricultural experts who are at the cutting edge of organic and regenerative farming—a no-brainer for us, but an unfortunately unheard of practice in the industry.
- Sustainable Production. All of our herbal teas and supplements are produced in our LEED Platinum certified production facility in India, which is a marvel of top-tier sustainable design, construction and operations.
Long Pepper Benefits for Body and Mind
Long Pepper has been used for a number of conditions but is most valued for its digestive-supporting and cleansing properties.
- Digestion. In classical Ayurveda, Long Pepper is prized for its ability to promote “agni,” or digestive fire, This distinguishes Long Pepper from black pepper, which is known to irritate the Vata dosha.
- Soothing. Supports digestion without irritating those with sensitive Vata systems. This distinguishes Long Pepper from Black Pepper, which is known to irritate the Vata dosha.
- Detoxifying. Long Pepper, also known as Pippali, can help release toxins from the body and purify the blood.
- Balancing. It is considered “tridoshic,” meaning that it brings benefits to all three dosha types; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
- Stress Relief. Long Pepper is found to help alleviate stress, improve sleep quality and balance mood.
Traditional Uses of Long Pepper
Long Pepper, or Pippali, was first mentioned in Sanskrit texts dated between 1,000 and 500 BC. The spice was traded alongside Black Pepper and Ginger; and the tri-spice blend known as Trikatu was a valued commodity in the spice trade between India and Europe. It continues to be used for both culinary purposes and in health remedies. It is particularly used in Indian, Pakistani, Thai, Cambodian and Indonesian dishes. In fact, the spice is the main spice in Nihari, which is a national dish of Pakistan.
Where is Long Pepper grown?
ORGANIC INDIA Long Pepper is sourced from organic-certified forest regions in Madhya Pradesh, India. The plant is native to India and grows across many different areas of the country, including Cherrapunj, Assam, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. It also grows in Nepal.
Who is it for?
Long Pepper as an herbal supplement or in the tri-herbal blend Trikatu is great for anyone looking for support with appetite, digestion, and gastrointestinal comfort.
Long Pepper for Healthy Conscious Living
ORGANIC INDIA’s Long Pepper is organically grown according to ancient Ayurvedic regenerative cultivation practices to ensure the highest possible efficacy, or “prana.” All ORGANIC INDIA herbs are processed and tested in compliance with FDA and World Health Organization safety protocols.
At ORGANIC INDIA, we recognize the vast interconnectedness of life. From seed, to soil, to field, to factory, our products empower the farmers of India, promote environmental and economic recovery, and provide wellness solutions derived from nature’s intelligence.
Trikatu Digestive and Metabolic Support