Pippali – The ancient Indian spice

Ayurveda suggests that the spice helps during menstrual cramps and regulates very heavy menstrual flow. Pippali regulates blood sugar and helps maintain good digestive health. It can also cure respiratory problems, boost immunity and promote weight loss.

Black pepper is commonly used to add heat to our foods. It is something that is very readily available in our kitchens and is used in many, many dishes that we cook on a regular basis. But this is often confused with long pepper, i.e. Pippali, which is one of the oldest spices used in Indian cooking. In fact, pippali is believed to have been used to make foods spicier long before peppers were used in Indian cooking. Pippali has several health benefits. Let’s see what benefits we would gain by adding the spice to our usual diet.

Pippali has a very long and rich history. According to historians, it was one of the first spices to be exported from the south of the country. It was so popular for its medicinal properties that even Hippocrates is said to have used it in the 6th century BC. India, always known as the land of spices to others, has been one such country that has been the go-to place for most of the spices known and used by the western world. Hence, pippali and its introduction to the world was yet another story of India and our love for spices.

To speak in the latest terms, pippali is also what we call a superfood – the lowest possible calories with the highest possible nutrition. It grows mainly in the wild, usually in tropical forests. Some states which have the concentration of pippali include West Bengal, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It is not as common as the normal black pepper that we use, but it is indeed extremely beneficial for our health. Not only does this spice enhance the flavor of foods, but it also makes them healthy.

Pippali has several amazing health benefits

In addition to modern science and its theories on how pippali is very healthy, our vedas also have several indications of the benefits of its consumption. But for the science geeks, let us tell you that pippali is proven to regulate blood sugar and help maintain good digestive health. It can also cure respiratory problems, boost immunity and promote weight loss. Ayurveda also suggests that the spice helps during menstrual cramps and regulates very heavy menstrual flow.

So, this ancient Indian spice is very beneficial for health and not only for Ayurveda but medicine and science also believe in the healing power of Indian spice pippali.

Freeda S. Scott