Nature: acrid, hot

Enters: Spleen, Lung, Stomach, Kidney, Large Intestine

Actions: Warms the middle; disperses cold from the stomach and intestines (middle and lower Jiaos); alleviates pain.

Indications:
• Stomach cold: nausea, vomiting, belching, acid regurgitation, rumbling, abdominal pain.
• Topical: as a powder for pain, especially toothache.
• Antibiotic effect.
• Usually taken directly in powder or pill form.
• Contains piperine – used as a carrier to increase absorption of other substances through digestive tract (e.g., curcumin) and slow metabolism of certain drugs.
MLT: Reverses the flow of rebellious Qi.
• The Ayurvedic mixture Trikatu (the main stimulant compound of Ayurveda) consists of equal parts Bi bo, Hu jiao and Gan jiang. Powder the herbs and mix with honey. Take for cold digestion, allergies with clear/whitish discharges, abdominal and other pains caused by cold.
Yoga: Pippali: V, K-; P+
• Stimulant (digestive and respiratory systems), expectorant, carminative, aphrodisiac, anthelmintic, analgesic.
• Colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, dyspepsia, abdominal distention, flatulence, abdominal tumors, lumbar pain, sciatica, epilepsy, paralysis, worms.
• Strongly heating, dispels cold, congestion, and Ama, revives weakened organ functions.
• Unlike black pepper, it is a rejuvenative, mainly for the lungs and for Kapha.
• Use as a milk decoction for degenerative lung diseases like asthma.
• Strengthens reproductive functions.
• Take 3 pods with a little honey each morning to control excess secretions, mucus, and Kapha.
• Trikatu (mentioned in MLT above) rejuvenates Agni, burns away Ama, allows for the assimilation of other medicines and foods.
Hsu: Analgesic, stomachic, antibacterial.

Dose: 1.5-4.5g (usually taken directly as a powder or pill)