Family : Piperaceae

Plant parts used: Dried Fruits

Chemical constituents : The major chemical component is Piperine a pungent alkaloid along with other minor compounds piperidine, piperettine, piperanine, piperamides etc,

Pharmacology : The major constituent Piperine possess CNS depressant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti inflammatory, antioxidant & hypo protective properties. In human beings, piperine increases the bio availability of anti tubercular drugs.  Piperine also possess antifungal activity due to its effect on the bio-energetic functions on the cell. 

Therapeutic uses: It is used as anticonvulsant and bioavailability enchancer.  It is also used for soar throat, cold and viral hepatitis.  It is prescribed in dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhoea and as febrifuge in intermittent fevers.