Maricha — Black Pepper

Ayurvedic herb Maricha (Piper nigrum) — Black Pepper. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Black pepper enhances digestion, stimulates metabolism, and helps clear congestion. It is a part of the Trikatu formula.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatuKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, TikshnaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Tikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaDeepana, Krimighna, ShwasaharaDeepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama; Krimighna — anti-parasitic, destroys worms; Shwasahara — relieves dyspnea and asthma

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Maricha is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Vellaja, Ushana, Suvritta, Krishna

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Maricha are: phala.

Main Indications

Maricha is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Shwasa, Kasa, Ajeerna, Krimi, Agnimandya.

Dosha Effects

Maricha pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Maricha is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu, Tikta
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa, Tikṣḍa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)śleṣmahara, Pittakara, Kaphav¡tajit, V¡tahara, Chedana, Dipana, Rucya, Jantun¡¿ana, Medohara, Chedi, Hrdroga, V¡taroga
Dose250 mg - 1 g of the drug in powder form.
Therapeutic Uses: śv¡sa, śūla, Krmiroga, Tvagroga
Important Formulations: Maric¡di Guuik¡, Maric¡di Taila, Trikauu Cūrḍa
Botanical Name: Piper nigrum Linn. (Piperaceae)
Part Used: Frt.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
fruitHair lossMESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70ISBN:9788171360536
fruitAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9788172362461
fruitAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9788172362461
fruitAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788171360536
fruitChest painMESH:D002637,UMLS:C0008031, ICD-11:MD30.ZISBN:9788172362461
fruitCholeraMESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
fruitColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788171360536
fruitComaMESH:D003128,UMLS:C0009421, ICD-11:MB20.1ISBN:9788172361266
fruitCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788171360536
fruitCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172362461
fruitDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788171360536
fruitDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitEczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595ISBN:9788171360536
fruitFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172361266
fruitFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitHoarsenessMESH:D006685,UMLS:C0019825, ICD-11:MA82.10ISBN:9788171360536
fruitInsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9788172362461
fruitCounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788172361266
fruitMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitNauseaMESH:D009325,UMLS:C0027497, ICD-11:MD90.0ISBN:9788172362461
fruitParaplegiaMESH:D010264,UMLS:C0030486, DOID:607, ICD-11:MB56ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitPenis diseasesMESH:D010409,UMLS:C0030846, DOID:1529, ICD-11:GB06.YISBN:9788172362461
fruitPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9788172363130
fruitScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788171360536
fruitSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
fruitVertigoMESH:D014717,UMLS:C0042571, ICD-11:MB48.0ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
fruitVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9788172362461
fruitAntiperiodicISBN:9788172361266
rootAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootDyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootEczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootNeuritisMESH:D009443,UMLS:C0027813, DOID:1803, ICD-11:8C1ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootNight blindnessMESH:D009755,UMLS:C0028077, DOID:8499, ICD-11:MC1YISBN:81-204-0828-4
rootGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:81-204-0828-4
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717055
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717055
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717055
ArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:9788173717055
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788173717055
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788173717055
DyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788173717055
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
HemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717055
HepatitisMESH:D006505,UMLS:C0019158, DOID:2237, ICD-11:DB97.ZISBN:9780387706375
HiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9788173717055
InfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZISBN:9788173717055
CounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788173717055
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9788173717055
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717055
PharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9780387706375
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9780387706375
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9788173717055
Urethral dischargeUMLS:C0152447ISBN:9788173717055
AntiperiodicISBN:9788173717055