Piper longum, commonly known as pippali itself and its root, called as pippali mula are used for medicinal purpose. Piper longum (Pippali) is seldom used externally, in case of painful and swollen conditions, wherein its paste is applied. Though Piper longum has mild antiseptic property, it is an irritant to the skin and manifistates allergic reactions. Internally, Piper longum (pippali) is invaluable in vast range of diseases. Piper longum (Pippali) is the best drug recommended in the disorders of the spleen. Piper longum is a powerful stimulant for the digestive and respiratory systems. Piper longum is strongly heating and removes cold, congestion and ama – the undigested toxic elements and revives the weakened organic functions. Piper longum is also a rejuvenative to lungs and kapha dosha. Trikatu is the most popular formulation used to mitigate the diseases due to kapha dosha, to digest ama and also it increases the bioavailability of the drug, when it is used as a complementary medicine. Piper longum effectively reconciles the digestive functions and is used with benefit in anorexia, indigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain, hyperacidity, piles etc. Piper longum works well with honey to combat hyperacidity. The decoction or its medicated milk can be used for the same. Piper longum (Pippali) is beneficial, when given with amalaki in the treatment of anemia. For treating any type of fever, the medicated ghee of Piper longum (pippali) is very useful. In chronic fever and tuberculosis, the preparation Vardhamana pippali is more effective. In fact, Vardhamana Piper longum (pippali) is a regimen, praised in ancient scriptures in which the doses of pippali are increased gradually. On the first day, an infusion of 3 pippalis, boiled for a few minutes in a mixture of milk and water is taken (4:1). Then for successive days the dose is increased by 1 pippali everyday. After 10 days, the dose is gradually decreased by 1 Piper longum (pippali) daily. During this regimen only milk is consumed as a diet. This method is useful in treating chronic respiratory ailments, anemia, recurrent fevers, piles and digestive problems. It strengthens the immune system of the body. Piper longum (Pippali) is beneficial as a brain tonic and in the diseases of vata. The decoction is effectively used in sciatica and hemiplegia. Being the best rejuvenative, pippali sidda ghrta is useful in tuberculosis, cough and with the ghee and honey, it reduces the frequency of paroxysms in bronchial asthma. Piper longum also helps controlling hiccup, when given with honey. It boosts the reproductive system too, hence, is used as an aphrodisiac. Piper longum also works well in amenorrhea. Causasti pippali is one of the unique preparations, which is prepared by fortifying the pippali powder by triburating it with the decoction of pippali itself, for the duration of 8 days (64 prahara). It makes pippali very potent and fortified, so used in very small doses. Pippali mula, the root of Piper longum (pippali) is used in the respiratory ailments, flatulence and to induce sleep and relieve abdominal colicky pain.
Plumbago zylenica roots are commonly used internally but seldom externally. In the form of an external paste, it is used in filariasis, depigmentation of the skin and anasarca generalized swelling all over the body. On applying its paste, boils appear on the skin and they burst open giving out the impurities. In rheumatic joints, its paste applied is beneficial. Orally or internally, Plumbago zylenica (citraka) is used in a vast range of diseases. Plumbago zylenica (citraka) must be used in small doses with caution, as it is very hot and sharp in its properties. Plumbago zylenica is indeed, a divine herb, in umpteen digestive disorders like loss of appetite, indigestion, piles, worms, colitis, ascites and liver diseases. A mixture of the powder of roots of Plumbago zylenica (citraka), rhzome of mustak and the fruits of vidanga in equal proportion, is taken 2-3 gms, with honey. Plumbago zylenica augments the appetite, improves digeston, relieves constipation and alleviates the urticaria – the allergic skin rashes. One gram of its Plumbago zylenica root powder, with a glassful of buttermilk is recommended in the treatment of non-bleeding piles . The same is extremely helpful in colitis, when consumed for 4-6 months. Plumbago zylenica (Citraka) alleviates oedema, hence effectively used in the enlarged liver and spleen. Plumbago zylenica relieves the obstructed phlegm in chronic colds and cough. Plumbago zylenica is used as a rejuenative (rasayana) in the diseases originated from the loss of appetite . Plumbago zylenica along with non-bleeding piles, works well in ano-rectal swellings. The medicated ghrta of citraka is very salutary in hepato splenomegaly and fever. The cough due to kapha dosa, is well controlled with Citrakadi curna a mixture of citraka, pippali, pippali mula and gaja pippali. Vagbhata and Sasruta have praised citraka as a bitter tonic and recommended as a rejuvenator . The tumours of vata origin are treated with Citraka ghrta whereas tumours of kapha origin are treated with the decoction of citraka with sunthi, pippali and eranda mula. Citraka digests the ama, augments the appetite and reduces the swelling , hence, is the potent drug for non-bleeding piles of vata and kapha types. Because of its extreme hot and sharp attributes, it irritates the uterus, enhances its contractions, hence is useful in cleansing it. The decocotion of citraka works well in skin diseases, associated with pain and itching. The combination – citraka, vaca, sunthi and kutaja is a very comprehensive medicament for diarrhea, associated with abdominal pain and chronic colitis.
Picrorhizza kurroa’s usefulness as a laxative, liver-stimulant, improving lactation, appetite stimulant, febrifuge and as beneficial in bronchial asthma. Picrorhizza kurroa plant and its formulations are widely used in therapy of epidemic jaundice. Clinical studies including double-blind trials have been carried out with Picrorhizza kurroa root powder of the plant in patients with viral hepatitis with significant improvement in symptoms like anorexia, nausea and vomiting. There was a concurrent improvement in liver functions. Open trials in bronchial asthma have given encouraging prophylactic response with prolonged administration. Picrorhizza kurroa is bitter, carminative, digestant and has a cooling effect and is used as a cardiotonic, antipyretic and anthelmintic. Picrorhizza kurroa is also used in diabetes, jaundice, blood disorders, hepatomegaly, liver and spleen disorders and skin disorders.
