Black Pepper for Low Libido: Does It Work?
Does Black Pepper (Maricha) help with low libido (Klaibya, the classical term for impaired sexual capacity)? As a supporting spice, yes. Ayurvedic home-remedy sources list it among the herbs for low desire, and one classical recipe built on it is described as an aphrodisiac. It is not a reproductive tonic in its own right.
That recipe is Rasala, from the Ashtanga Hridaya (Sutrasthana, chapter on food). It is curd churned with pepper powder and sugar, and the text says it increases body weight, is an aphrodisiac (Vrishya), is unctuous and improves strength.
Rasala: curds churned and added with pepper powder and sugar; it causes body weight increase, it is aphrodisiac, unctuous, improves strength and improves taste.
Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutrasthana, Annaswaroopa (Food)
Black Pepper's own profile explains its place. It is pungent in taste and after digestion, hot in potency, and it calms Kapha and Vata while raising Pitta. Our sources name Kapha as the dosha low libido aggravates, so Black Pepper suits the heavy, sluggish pattern best and is a poor fit for people who run hot.
How Black Pepper Helps with Low Libido
Ayurveda traces libido to the reproductive tissue, Shukra Dhatu in men and Artava Dhatu in women. It is the last of the seven tissues to be nourished, so it depends on everything upstream, starting with digestion.
Black Pepper works at that starting point. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 1) lists it as kindling digestive fire (Deepana) and calming Kapha and Vata (Kapha-Vata Shamaka). Its pungent taste and hot potency (Ushna Virya) cut through the heaviness and congestion of the Kapha pattern of low libido, where weight gain, lethargy and low mood replace desire.
Its second role is as a carrier. Ayurveda calls Black Pepper a Yogavahi, a substance that enhances the absorption of other herbs taken with it. Modern research has linked this to piperine, its main active compound. That is why it so often appears inside formulas such as Trikatu rather than alone.
The same heat sets its limit. Black Pepper raises Pitta, and at high doses its drying quality can aggravate the dry, depleted Vata picture. For burnout or exhaustion, it is a seasoning for the tonics rather than the treatment.
How to Use Black Pepper for Low Libido
Our sources give no libido-specific dose of Black Pepper. The options below combine the classical Rasala recipe with its general recorded doses, for use in a wider plan for low libido.
| Form | Amount | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rasala (curd churned with pepper and sugar) | Classical recipe; no amounts given | Strength and weight in a thin, depleted body | As food |
| Whole peppercorns, freshly crushed | 3 to 5 corns (0.2 to 0.5 g) | Daily digestive support in food | With meals |
| Powder (Maricha Churna) | 0.5 to 2 g | Sluggish, heavy Kapha pattern | Before or after meals with warm water or honey |
| Trikatu churna | 1 to 3 g | Sluggish digestion and ama (undigested residue) | Before meals with warm water or honey |
Choosing the Vehicle
The vehicle (anupana, what a herb is taken with) steers its action. Warm water or raw honey keeps it light for the Kapha pattern. Ghee buffers its heat when Vata is high or the tissues are depleted.
Duration
Do not exceed 5 g of powder a day, and do not run medicinal doses beyond 2 to 4 weeks without a break. Changes at the level of the reproductive tissue take weeks, so pair it with the diet and lifestyle steps on the low libido page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Pepper an aphrodisiac?
Not on its own. The Ashtanga Hridaya describes Rasala, curd churned with pepper powder and sugar, as aphrodisiac and strengthening. Black Pepper's own listed actions are digestive, Kapha-reducing and absorption-enhancing.
Can I take Black Pepper with my medicines?
Culinary amounts are not a concern. At medicinal doses, piperine can raise blood levels of many prescription drugs, including some beta-blockers and seizure medicines, so talk to your doctor before daily high-dose use. Never stop a prescribed medicine on your own because you suspect it affects your libido.
Who should avoid medicinal doses?
Anyone with acid reflux, ulcers, gastritis, bleeding hemorrhoids or other signs of high Pitta. Medicinal doses are also not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Black Pepper vs Ginger or Ashwagandha for low libido?
Ginger is the other warming kitchen remedy for the heavy Kapha pattern, taken as onion-ginger juice. Ashwagandha and Shatavari are the tonics that rebuild the reproductive tissue. Black Pepper supports digestion and absorption around them.
Recommended: Start Black Pepper for Low Libido
If you want to start using Black Pepper for low libido today, here is the simplest starting point.
Best form: freshly crushed peppercorns in your food. Three to five corns a day with meals kindle digestion without the heat of medicinal doses, and pepper helps your body absorb the herbs taken with it.
Kitchen Version
The classical aphrodisiac recipe is Rasala: churn fresh curd with a little pepper powder and sugar, as described in the Ashtanga Hridaya.
Quick Pattern Fork
If Kapha-type (heavy and unmotivated): take pepper or Trikatu with warm water or honey before meals. If Vata-type (stressed and tired): keep pepper to food, take it with ghee, and rely on Ashwagandha or Shatavari in warm milk. If Pitta-type (burnt out and running hot): skip medicinal pepper.
Find Black Pepper on Amazon ↗ Trikatu Churna ↗
Safety: if you take prescription medicines long term, ask your doctor before using medicinal doses of pepper or Trikatu, and avoid them with acid reflux, ulcers or in pregnancy.
Safety & Precautions
Black Pepper at culinary doses, a pinch or two in food, is safe for almost everyone and is used daily across billions of meals. At medicinal doses (0.5 g and above, concentrated and taken alone), the picture changes. Its heat is intense, its penetration deep, and its interaction profile with modern pharmaceuticals is significant. Here is what to watch for:
Pitta Aggravation
Black Pepper is classified as VK- P+, it pacifies Vata and Kapha, but increases Pitta. People of Pitta prakriti (constitution), or anyone with active Pitta-type symptoms, burning sensations, skin rashes, heat intolerance, red eyes, irritability, should avoid medicinal doses. Culinary pinches are usually fine, but dose escalation quickly becomes counterproductive.
GERD, Ulcers, and Hyperacidity
The Ayurveda Encyclopedia lists "digestive inflammations and high Pitta" as direct contraindications. If you have acid reflux (Amlapitta), peptic ulcers, gastritis, or H. pylori infection, Black Pepper can worsen symptoms meaningfully. Its pungent taste and hot potency directly stimulate acid secretion and can irritate already-inflamed mucosa.
Bleeding Conditions and Hemorrhoids
Black Pepper's penetrating (Tikshna) and heating qualities can aggravate bleeding hemorrhoids (Arsha), peptic ulcers, and any active Pitta-type bleeding disorder. Classical texts make this exception explicit: while pepper is indicated for dry, non-bleeding hemorrhoids, it worsens the bleeding, inflamed kind.
Drug Interactions (Critical)
This is where Black Pepper's Yogavahi property becomes a double-edged sword. Piperine inhibits multiple CYP450 liver enzymes and P-glycoprotein efflux pumps, meaning it can raise the blood levels of many prescription drugs substantially, sometimes into toxic range. Documented interactions include:
- Phenytoin (seizure medication), levels can rise significantly
- Rifampin (antibiotic), blood concentration increases
- Propranolol (beta-blocker), bioavailability enhanced
- Theophylline (asthma medication), similar enhancement
- Carbamazepine, diclofenac, and many CYP3A4/CYP2D6 substrates, altered clearance
If you take any prescription medication long-term, do not supplement with high-dose Black Pepper, piperine extract, or sustained Trikatu use without first discussing it with your physician. Occasional culinary pepper is not a concern; daily medicinal doses are.
Pregnancy and Medicinal Use
Small culinary amounts in cooking are considered safe and traditional. Medicinal doses, piperine supplements, and daily Trikatu are not recommended during pregnancy, the strong heating action can aggravate Pitta at a time when it is already naturally elevated, and the pharmaceutical-level drug interactions complicate prenatal care. Nursing mothers should stick to culinary use only.
Excess Vata (Dryness)
Although Black Pepper pacifies Vata at moderate doses, its drying quality at high doses can eventually aggravate the dry, rough qualities of excess Vata, producing symptoms like constipation, dry skin, and insomnia. If you are depleted, underweight, or recovering from illness, reduce the dose or take it with ghee.
Eye Irritation (External)
Black Pepper powder is an established irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes. Keep it away from the face; wash hands thoroughly after grinding. The classical eye collyrium preparations that include pepper use it in extremely small, carefully buffered quantities, not a home preparation.
Overdose
Doses beyond 5 g per day for extended periods are not recommended. Signs of overdose include burning in the chest or throat, heartburn, diarrhoea, and general heat-based discomfort. These resolve by reducing the dose and taking cooling foods (milk, ghee, cucumber, coconut water).
Other Herbs for Low Libido
See all herbs for low libido on the Low Libido page.
▶ Classical Text References (10 sources)
- Pinasa (chronic rhinitis)
- Shula (pain)
- Krimi (worms)
- Netra Roga (eye diseases)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1
160 Maricha (pepper) रए पाके च कटुकं कफ नं म रचं लघु । Black pepper is pungent both in taste and at the end of digestion, mitigates kapha and is easily digestable.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
164 च वका प पल मूलं म रचा पा तरं गुणैः Chavaika (Piper chaba) and pippalimula (long pepper root) possess qualities and properties similar to Marica (black pepper) but in lesser degree.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
160 Maricha (pepper) रए पाके च कटुकं कफ नं म रचं लघु । Black pepper is pungent both in taste and at the end of digestion, mitigates kapha and is easily digestable.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
164 च वका प पल मूलं म रचा पा तरं गुणैः Chavaika (Piper chaba) and pippalimula (long pepper root) possess qualities and properties similar to Marica (black pepper) but in lesser degree.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
प चकोलकमेत च म रचेन वना म ृतम ् गु म ल होदरानाहशल ू नं द पनं परम ् The above, excluding marica, (pippali, pippalimula, cavya, citraka and nagara) is known as panchakolaka, It cures abdominal tumors, disease of the sleen, enlargement of the abdomen, distension and colic, and is best to improve hunger and digestion.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 6: Annaswaroopa Food
(Kukkuta) Chicken and Spotted deer should not be taken along with curds Uncooked meat along with bile radish along with black gram Sheep meat along with leaves of Kusumba herb Germinated grains along with Bisa Lakucha Phala along with black gram soup (masha supa) Banana along with butter milk is not recommended Curds along with Tala phala (Palm date) Pippali, Maricha and honey Kakamachi along with jaggery Black pepper along with fish or during digestion of fish - 33-36.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 7: Anna Raksha Vidhi
(Kukkuta) Chicken and Spotted deer should not be taken along with curds Uncooked meat along with bile radish along with black gram Sheep meat along with leaves of Kusumba herb Germinated grains along with Bisa Lakucha Phala along with black gram soup (masha supa) Banana along with butter milk is not recommended Curds along with Tala phala (Palm date) Pippali, Maricha and honey Kakamachi along with jaggery Black pepper along with fish or during digestion of fish - 33-36.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 7: Anna Raksha Vidhi
Katu Gana – group of pungents:कटुको ह गु म रचकृ मिजत प चकोलकम ् कुठे रा या ह रतकाः प तं मू म करम ् Hingu- Asa foetida Maricha – Black pepper, Krimijit – Vidanga, Panchakola – Chitraka, Pippalmoola, Pippali, Chitraka and ginger, leafy vegetables such as Kutheraka and others (mentioned in verse 103 of chapter 6 earlier), Pitta (bile of animals), Mutra (urines), Arushkara etc.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 10: Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Katu Gana – group of pungents:कटुको ह गु म रचकृ मिजत प चकोलकम ् कुठे रा या ह रतकाः प तं मू म करम ् Hingu- Asa foetida Maricha – Black pepper, Krimijit – Vidanga, Panchakola – Chitraka, Pippalmoola, Pippali, Chitraka and ginger, leafy vegetables such as Kutheraka and others (mentioned in verse 103 of chapter 6 earlier), Pitta (bile of animals), Mutra (urines), Arushkara etc.
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 10: Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
20 Treatment for over nourishing त मेदो नल ले मनाशनं सव म यते कुला थजूण यामाकयवमु गमधूदकम ् म त ुद डाहता र ट च ताशोधनजागरम ् मधुना फलां ल या गुडूचीमभयां घनम ् रसा जन य महतः प चमल ू य ग ु गल ु ोः शलाजतु] योग च साि नम थरसो हतः वड गं नागरं ारः काललोहरजो मधु यवामलक चूण च योगो अ त थौ यदोशिजत ् Treatments which reduce Medas- fat, Anila- Vata and Kapha are desirable; Use of Kulattha – horse gram – Dolichos Biflorus, Jurna, Shyamaka, Yava – Barley – Hordeum Vulgare, Mudga – green gram – Averr
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 14: Dvividha Upakramaneeya
21-24 योषकटवीवरा श ु वड गा त वषाि थराः ह गुस ौवचलाजाजीयवानीधा य च काः नशी ब ृह यौ हपुषा पाठामूलं च के बुकात ् एषां चूण मधु घ ृतं तैलं च सदशांशकम ् स तु भः षोडशगुणैयु तं पीतं नहि त तत ् अ त थौ या दकान ् सवा ोगान यां च त वधान ् ोगकामलाि व वासकासगल हान ् बु मेधा म ृ तकरं स न या ने च द पनम ् Powder of Vyosha- (Trikatu – pepper, long pepper and ginger), Katvi, Vara (Triphala), Shigru (drum stick), Vidanga (False black pepper – Embelia ribes), Ativisha, Sthira (Desmodium gangeticum), Hingu – (A
— Astanga Hridaya, Chapter 14: Dvividha Upakramaneeya
Source: Astanga Hridaya, Ch. 6, Ch. 6, Ch. 6, Ch. 6, Ch. 6, Ch. 7, Ch. 7, Ch. 10, Ch. 10, Ch. 14, Ch. 14
160 Maricha (pepper) रए पाके च कटुकं कफ नं म रचं लघु । Black pepper is pungent both in taste and at the end of digestion, mitigates kapha and is easily digestable.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
164 च वका प पल मूलं म रचा पा तरं गुणैः Chavaika (Piper chaba) and pippalimula (long pepper root) possess qualities and properties similar to Marica (black pepper) but in lesser degree.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
(Kukkuta) Chicken and Spotted deer should not be taken along with curds Uncooked meat along with bile radish along with black gram Sheep meat along with leaves of Kusumba herb Germinated grains along with Bisa Lakucha Phala along with black gram soup (masha supa) Banana along with butter milk is not recommended Curds along with Tala phala (Palm date) Pippali, Maricha and honey Kakamachi along with jaggery Black pepper along with fish or during digestion of fish - 33-36.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi
Katu Gana – group of pungents:कटुको ह गु म रचकृ मिजत प चकोलकम ् कुठे रा या ह रतकाः प तं मू म करम ् Hingu- Asa foetida Maricha – Black pepper, Krimijit – Vidanga, Panchakola – Chitraka, Pippalmoola, Pippali, Chitraka and ginger, leafy vegetables such as Kutheraka and others (mentioned in verse 103 of chapter 6 earlier), Pitta (bile of animals), Mutra (urines), Arushkara etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Powder of Vidanga (False black pepper – Embelia ribes), Nagara – (Ginger), KsharaYavakshara and iron filing or powder of Yava (Barley – Hordeum vulgare) and Amla along with honey – should be licked daily.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dvividha Upakramaneeya
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Anna Raksha Vidhi; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their; Dvividha Upakramaneeya
For example pepper Sheeta veerya (cold potency) - Some food items are cold in nature.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya
Meat juice (Mamsarasa) which is not very thick, Rasala (curds churned and mixed with pepper powder and sugar), Raga (syrup which is sweet, sour and salty) and Khandava (syrup which has all the tastes, prepared with many substances), Panaka panchasara, (syrup prepared with raisins (draksha), madhuka, dates (karjura), kasmarya, and parushaka fruits all in equal quantities, cooled and added with powder of cinnamon leaves, cinnamon and cardamom etc) and kept inside a fresh mud pot, along with leav
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal
Rasala – रसाला बंहृ णी व ृ या ि न धा ब या च दा । Rasala – curds churned and added with pepper powder and sugar- it causes body weight increase, it is aphrodisiac, unctuous, improves strength and improves taste.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
वेसवारो गु : ि न धो बलोपचयवधन: । मु गा दजा तु गुरवो यथा यगुणानुगा: ॥ ४१॥ Vesavara is meat, cut into minute bits, added with spices like pepper, ginger etc, and roasted or fried.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
(Kukkuta) Chicken and Spotted deer should not be taken along with curds Uncooked meat along with bile radish along with black gram Sheep meat along with leaves of Kusumba herb Germinated grains along with Bisa Lakucha Phala along with black gram soup (masha supa) Banana along with butter milk is not recommended Curds along with Tala phala (Palm date) Pippali, Maricha and honey Kakamachi along with jaggery Black pepper along with fish or during digestion of fish - 33-36.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Ayushkameeya Adhyaya; Ritucharya adhyaya Seasonal; Annaswaroopa Food; Anna Raksha Vidhi
Himalayan fir, black pepper, ginger, long pepper in doubling ratio (1:2:3:4), with cinnamon and cardamom at half ratio.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Milk prepared with dry ginger and daruharidra or prepared with shyama, castor root and black pepper, or prepared with cinnamon, devadaru, punarnava and dry ginger;
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
Take 100 pala each of kashmarya, amalaki, black pepper, haritaki, vibhitaki, pippali and grapes, add to it 100 pala of old jaggery and two drona of water, then put the mixture in a vessel lined with honey for 7 days in summer or for 14 days in winter for fermentation.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
Thereafter to make it fragrant, add 20 gm powders each of tejapatra, cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper, couscous and iron bhasma and store in a pot lined with honey and ghee.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
drink yava (barley), wheat, meat of wild animals along with black pepper.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Patient should drink goat-meat juice with long pepper, barley, horse gram, ginger, pomegranate, emblic myrobalan, and unctuous articles.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Sugar candy, bamboo manna, long pepper, cardamom, cinnamon — each doubled in ratio (4:2:1:0.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Himalayan fir, black pepper, ginger, long pepper in doubling ratio (1:2:3:4), with cinnamon and cardamom at half ratio.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Add sugar at 8x the long pepper amount.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं)
Milk prepared with dry ginger and daruharidra or prepared with shyama, castor root and black pepper, or prepared with cinnamon, devadaru, punarnava and dry ginger;
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 8: Consumption and Wasting Disease Treatment (Rajayakshma Chikitsa / राजयक्ष्मचिकित्सितं); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
That which forcefully uproots adhered Dosha accumulations (especially Kapha) — that is Chedana (excising), like Chara, Maricha (Piper nigrum/black pepper), and Shilajatu.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
That substance which, by its own potency, expels accumulated Doshas from the channels (Srotas) — that is Pramathi (churning/expectorant), like Maricha (Piper nigrum/black pepper) and Vacha (Acorus calamus).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
In Vishama Jvara (intermittent/malarial fever): the juice of Tulasi (holy basil — Ocimum sanctum) leaves mixed with Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) powder, or the juice of Dronapushpi (Leucas cephalotes), destroys intermittent fevers.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Tulasi with black pepper is a time-honored remedy for malarial and intermittent fevers, combining antipyretic and bioavailability-enhancing actions.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
The warm juice of Shashamundi (Clerodendrum infortunatum) dusted with Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) powder, when practiced for seven days, conquers Suryavarta (frontal headache aggravated by sunlight) and Ardhavabhedaka (migraine/hemicrania).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
That which forcefully uproots adhered Dosha accumulations (especially Kapha) — that is Chedana (excising), like Chara, Maricha (Piper nigrum/black pepper), and Shilajatu.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
That substance which, by its own potency, expels accumulated Doshas from the channels (Srotas) — that is Pramathi (churning/expectorant), like Maricha (Piper nigrum/black pepper) and Vacha (Acorus calamus).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
In Vishama Jvara (intermittent/malarial fever): the juice of Tulasi (holy basil — Ocimum sanctum) leaves mixed with Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) powder, or the juice of Dronapushpi (Leucas cephalotes), destroys intermittent fevers.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Tulasi with black pepper is a time-honored remedy for malarial and intermittent fevers, combining antipyretic and bioavailability-enhancing actions.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
The warm juice of Shashamundi (Clerodendrum infortunatum) dusted with Maricha (black pepper — Piper nigrum) powder, when practiced for seven days, conquers Suryavarta (frontal headache aggravated by sunlight) and Ardhavabhedaka (migraine/hemicrania).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)
The best anjana (collyrium) for abhishyanda is prepared with goat's milk, gairika (red ochre), saindhava (rock salt), krishna (black pepper), and nagara (ginger) in increasing proportions.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Jasmine flowers, saindhava (rock salt), shringavera (ginger), krisna (black pepper) seeds, and the essence of kitashatru (neem) — this ground preparation with honey should be fearlessly applied as anjana in netra-paka (eye suppuration).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Then rubbing should be done with saindhava (rock salt), kasisa (green vitriol), and black pepper.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 15: Chhedya Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases Requiring Excision)
Gairika (red ochre), saindhava (rock salt), black pepper, godanta (an animal tooth) ink, beef, pepper seeds, shirisha (Albizia) seeds, and manashila (realgar/arsenic disulfide).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
With flowers of kubjaka (rose), ashoka, shala (sal tree), amra (mango), priyangu, nalina (lotus), and utpala (blue lotus), combined with haritaki, krisna (black pepper), pathya (haritaki), and amalaka (gooseberry).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 15: Chhedya Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases Requiring Excision); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Milk boiled with saindhava (rock salt), udicya, yashtimadhu (licorice), and pippali (long pepper), reduced to half — is beneficial for irrigation (seka) and also for ashchyotana (eye drops).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
The best anjana (collyrium) for abhishyanda is prepared with goat's milk, gairika (red ochre), saindhava (rock salt), krishna (black pepper), and nagara (ginger) in increasing proportions.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)
Mahaushada (ginger), pippali (long pepper), musta (nut grass), saindhava (rock salt), and white maricha (pepper) — ground with matulunga (citron) juice — this eye anjana quickly destroys pishtaka (paste-like eye lesion).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
River-born substance, agra, white pepper, and Nepali-origin herb in equal proportions, with matulunga (citron) juice — this formulation destroys itching with a single application of anjana.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis)
Juice of shirisha (Albizia) flowers with sura (fermented liquor), maricha (pepper), and earths — combined with honey, gairika (red ochre) is beneficial as collyrium.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 11: Kaphabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Kapha-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.