Common Name: |
Java Pepper |
Other Names: |
Cubeb, Tailed Cubebs, Tailed Pepper |
Botanical Name: |
Piper cubeba |
Genus: |
Piper |
Family: |
Piperaceae |
Native Location: |
SE Asia |
Cultivation: |
Rich, well-drained soil in light shade and high humidity (P. longum, P. nigrum). Deep, rich soil, including heavy clay, ample moisture and shade (P. betle, P. cubeba). P. auritum thrives in full sun. Well-drained, stony soil, with ample water and humidity, in sun (P. methysticum). Plants are usually grown on frames. Remove weak of congested stems in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. For optimum fruiting (P. nigrum), cut back young plants to 30cm (12in) several times a year to stimulate growth of shoots, retaining the ten strongest, and tying in at each node. Mature vines are pruned regularly to 4m (12ft). Susceptible to fungal root rot, pepper weevil, and pepper flea beetle. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown at 20-24°C (66-75°F); by semi-ripe cuttings in summer. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are picked as required (P. auritum), blanched in the dark, often pressed together, and dried for extracts or to use whole (P. betel). Roots are lifted as required, usually from plants about 2m (6ft) tall, and used fresh, or dried for use in decoctions, liquid extracts, powders, and tablets (P. methysticum). Fruits are picked unripe and distilled for oleo-resin and oil, or dried for use in liquid extracts, powders and tinctures (P. cubeba). Fruit clusters are picked unripe and dried for use whole, ground or in decoctions (P. longum). Fruits of P. nigrum are picked unripe and used fresh, pickled (green peppercorns), and dried (green and black peppercorns); or ripe, and retted for eight days before drying (white peppercorns); black peppercorns are ground or decocted for medicinal use. |
Height: |
6m (20ft) |
Hardiness: |
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F) |
Parts Used: |
Fruits, oil |
Properties: |
A bitter, antiseptic, stimulant herb with a pungent, turpentine-allspice aroma. It has expectorant and diuretic effects, and improves digestion. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, throat and genito-urinary infections, poor digestion, and amebic dysentery. To treat gastrointestinal complaints, flatulence, diseases of the urinary tract, chronic bronchitis, and poor memory. |
Typical Dose: |
A typical daily dose of cubeb may range from 2 to 4 gm of powder, or 2 to 4 ml of 1:1 extract. |
Possible Side Effects: |
No side effects are known when cubeb is taken in recommended therapeutic dosages. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking cubeb with these drugs may reduce the effectiveness of the drug: |
Aluminum Hydroxide, (AlternaGel, Alu-Cap) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Carbonate, (Gaviscon Extra Strength, Gaviscon Liquid) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Maalox, Rulox) |
Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Trisilicate, (Gavison Tablet) |
Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone, (Maalox, Mylanta Liquid) |
Calcium Carbonate, (Rolaids Extra Strength, Tums) |
Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Mylanta Gelcaps, Rolaids Extra Strength) |
Cimetidine, (Nu-Cimet, Tagamet) |
Esomeprazole, (Nexium) |
Famotidine, (Apo-Famotidine, Pepcid) |
Famotidine, Calcium Carbonate, and Magnesium Hydroxide, (Pepcid Complete) |
Landoprazole, (Prevacid) |
Magaldrate and Simethicone, (Riopan Plus, Riopan Plus Double Strength) |
Magnesium Hydroxide, (Dulcolax Milk of Magnesia, Phillip's Milk of Magnesia) |
Magnesium Oxide, (Mag-Ox 400, Uro-Mag) |
Magnesium Sulfate, (Epsom Salt) |
Nizatidine, (Axid, PMS-Nizatidine) |
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec) |
Pantoprazole, (Pantoloc, Protonix) |
Rabeprazole, (Aciphex, Pariet) |
Ranitidine, (Alti-Ranitidine, Zantac) |
Sodium Bicarbonate, (Brioschi, Neut) |
|
Disease Effects: |
May worsen gastrointestinal ailments by irritating the gastrointestinal tract. |
Culinary Uses: |
Dried, unripe fruits (cubeb berries) are used for seasoning; also as an ingredient of the Moroccan spice blend, ras el hanout). |
Economic Uses: |
Oil is used in commercial flavoring for pickles, sauces, bitters, and tobacco, and in perfumery and toiletries. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni BrownCopyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp. 319-320 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.174-175 |