Piper retrofractum Vahl (Dee Plee)

Medicinal Plants in Thailand.

Piper retrofractum Vahl
PIPERACEAE
Long Pepper
Thai name : Dee Plee

Climbing shrub with adventitious roots at nodes. Leaf simple, alternate, oblong-ovate, 3-5 cm wide, 7-10 cm long, dark green, glabrous. Inflorescence in axillary spike, unisexual, monoecious. Fruit globose berry, first green, during anthesis yellow and turn bright red, spicy taste.

Dried mature unripe fruit: carminative, element tonic, antidiarrheal, expectorant, oxytocic for post-labor; contains volatile oil and piperine. Methanol extract decreases small intestine spasm; petroleum ether extract induces abortion in animals. Dose: for cough; 1 handful or 10-15 fruits, decoction or a half of dried fruit grind with lime juice and salt; swab throat or sip frequently. Caution: not recommended for women during preg­nancy.

TRADITIONAL USE :
Dried mature unripe fruit : carminative, stomachic, antidiarhael, oxytocic, expectorant

By: Medicinal Plants in Thailand
Volume 1