Cubeb ~ Piper cubeba

Cubeb

Latin name: Piper cubeba

Family: Piperaceae

Part used: unripe fruit

Habitat: native to Indonesia; cultivated elsewhere

Main constituents: volatile oil, lignans, resins, gums

Energetics: warming

Main herbal actions: aromatic, diuretic, expectorant

Minor herbal actions: carminative, stomachic

Main medicinal uses: bronchitis, coughs, sinus congestion (Khalsa), urinary tract infections, chronic inflammations, cystitis, urethritis, cold/ flu (Khalsa), adrenal insufficiency (Khalsa)

Minor medicinal uses: amoebic dysentery, gonorrhea, chronic sluggish sore throat, chronic atonic respiratory catarrhs

Preparations: pwd: 2-4 g; tincture: 2-4 ml, capsules: 10 grams qd (Khalsa)

Contraindications: acute inflammation, nephritis

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: Wren, R.C. Potter’s New Encyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations; http://www.naturalhealthnotebook.com/Herbs/Latin_Herbs/Genus-P/Piper_cubeba.htm; http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/felter/piper-cube.html
 

Cubeb from lecture March 7th

• Reached Europe and Africa with Arab Traders
• Became major spice  in European and African cuisine
• Frequently smoked as cigarettes or pipe for
  • Asthma, chronic pharyngitis and hay fever
• Affinity for the respiratory tract
• Immune System – Tonification benefit
• Adrenals – Balancing and nourishing supportive remedy
• Greatly fallen out of use, which works in our favor because its available and inexpensive.
• One herb remedy for cold and flu
• Minor Uses:
  • Urinary (diuretic and antiseptic) can use for bladder infection, but really a minor herb for urinary.
• Dose – 10 grams/day for acute virus.  Tea, tincture or capsules.
• Cubeb is Warming.