Cubeb Pepper

(Cubeb Pepper)
Sanskrit: कबाबचीनी • Botanical: Piper cubeba Linn.

Sheetal Chini (Cubeb Pepper) is the dried unripe fruit of Piper cubeba, a climbing plant of the pepper family. The fruits have a characteristic tail (stalk attached), distinguishing them from black pepper. The text describes it as pungent with heating potency. It is found in tropical forests and is cultivated in Indonesia and India. The fruit is round, 4-6mm in diameter, greyish-brown to black with a distinct stalk (tail). The taste is pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter with camphoraceous flavor. The essential oil contains cubebin, a crystalline compound. The drug is used for respiratory disorders (cough, asthma), oral health (mouth freshener and cleanser), digestive complaints, and urinary disorders. It acts as an expectorant, carminative, and antiseptic. The fruits are similar to black pepper but distinguishable by their tail. The text notes it relieves cough, asthma, and is a good appetizer. Chemical analysis reveals 5-20% cubebin, cubebic acid, and 10-18% essential oil containing sesquiterpenes. Dose: 1-3 grams.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent (Katu)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Terpenes, Sesquiterpenes (Cubebin (C20H20O6), Cubebic acid, Cubeb camphor (C15H26O), Essential oil)
Also Known As
English: Cubeb Pepper, Tailed Pepper, Cubebs
Sanskrit: कबाबचीनी, सुगन्धमरिच, चन्द्रमूल, कण्टकफल
Hindi: कबाबचीनी, शीतलचीनी

What is Cubeb Pepper (Sheetal Chini / शीतलचीनी)?

Sheetal Chini (Cubeb Pepper) is the dried unripe fruit of Piper cubeba, a climbing plant of the pepper family. The fruits have a characteristic tail (stalk attached), distinguishing them from black pepper. The text describes it as pungent with heating potency. It is found in tropical forests and is cultivated in Indonesia and India. The fruit is round, 4-6mm in diameter, greyish-brown to black with a distinct stalk (tail). The taste is pungent, aromatic, slightly bitter with camphoraceous flavor. The essential oil contains cubebin, a crystalline compound. The drug is used for respiratory disorders (cough, asthma), oral health (mouth freshener and cleanser), digestive complaints, and urinary disorders. It acts as an expectorant, carminative, and antiseptic. The fruits are similar to black pepper but distinguishable by their tail. The text notes it relieves cough, asthma, and is a good appetizer. Chemical analysis reveals 5-20% cubebin, cubebic acid, and 10-18% essential oil containing sesquiterpenes. Dose: 1-3 grams.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Deepana (appetizer)
  • Kasahara (antitussive)
  • Shwasahara (relieves dyspnoea)
  • Krimighna (anthelmintic)
  • Mukhashodhana (mouth cleanser)
  • Hridya (cardiotonic)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2

Cubeb Pepper by Condition

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

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Cubeb Pepper for Male Sexual Health

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.