Overview
Gajapippali is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for irritable bowel syndrome. 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.
How Gajapippali Helps with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Gajapippali has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing irritable bowel syndrome:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna
- Taste (Rasa): Katu
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu
Other Herbs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
See all herbs for irritable bowel syndrome on the Irritable Bowel Syndrome page.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
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)
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.