Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa): Katu
Quality (Guna): Laghu
Potency (Virya): Ushna

What is Gajapippali?

Large climbing plant of Western Ghats and Eastern Himalayas. Dried fruit spikes (5-10 cm) resemble long pepper but larger. Used as substitute for Pippali.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

Kasa hara (cough)
Shwasa hara (asthma)
Kapha Shamaka

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 1

How to Use Gajapippali by Condition

Explore how Gajapippali is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.

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Gajapippali for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)

References in Charaka Samhita

The powder of hapusha, kunchika, dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), jeera (Cuminum Cyminum), karavi (Foeniculum Vulgare), kachur, pippali (Piper longum), pippali mula ( root of Piper longum), chitraka (Plumbagoylanica) gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis Schoott.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Ghee cooked with pippali (Piper longum), pippalimoola, chitraka (Plumbego zylanicum), gajapippali, shringavera, yavakshara should be given in hemorrhoids.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Boil the svarasa of two panchamoola (brihat and laghu), sarala ((trivrita) Operculina turpethum), devadaru (Cedrus deodara), nagara (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), pippalimoola, chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), gajapippali (Piper retofractum), sanabeeja (seeds of Crotalaria juncea), barley, kola, kulatta and susavi (Woodfordia fruticosa) with aranala, dadhimanda or sauviraka.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

That which kindles digestive fire, digests Ama, and dries up excess fluids due to its hot nature — that is Grahi (absorbent/astringent), like Shunthi (Zingiber officinale/dry ginger), Jiraka (Cuminum cyminum/cumin), and Gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)

Therefore, one should prepare a decoction of Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), and Gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis, elephant pepper) and drink the water for pacifying vaginal pruritus.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 22: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu)

Specific decoction formula: Sariva (blood purifier), Lodhra (astringent, uterine tonic), Trivrit (mild purgative), and Gajapippali (anti-inflammatory).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 22: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu)

Therefore, one should prepare a decoction of Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), and Gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis, elephant pepper) and drink the water for pacifying vaginal pruritus.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 21: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu)

Specific decoction formula: Sariva (blood purifier), Lodhra (astringent, uterine tonic), Trivrit (mild purgative), and Gajapippali (anti-inflammatory).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 21: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Parishishtam, Chapter 22: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu); Parishishtam, Chapter 21: Vaginal Pruritus (Yoni Kandu)

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.