Cubeb Pepper
Piper cubeba
T Traditional useCubeb, or "tailed pepper", is a relative of black pepper. Traditionally used for cough and indigestion; there are no clinical data.
Image: Herbadex Botanik Stüdyosu · Özel Üretim
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At a glance
Cubeb (Piper cubeba) is an Indonesian spice resembling black pepper but dried with its stalk attached, hence "tailed pepper". Ottoman and Arab medicine used it for cough, breathlessness and indigestion, and to freshen breath. Its effects have not been shown in clinical studies.
Updated: October 15, 2026
ℹ Compiled from standard pharmacognosy references and clinical literature summaries where no formal EMA monograph exists.
What is it used for?
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Based on at least 30 years of documented traditional use rather than clinical trials.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Traditionally used for cough and chest colds. [1]
T Traditional use
Traditional use: Based on at least 30 years of documented traditional use rather than clinical trials.
How do we rate evidence levels? →Traditionally used for indigestion, wind and bad breath. [1]
How is it used?
Food
Grind a few berries into food or mix with honey.
Amount: 1–2 g daily
[1]Safety & interactions
- Large amounts may irritate the stomach and kidneys.
- Avoid heavy use in pregnancy.
- Amounts used as a spice in food are generally safe; this does not apply to concentrated extracts and supplements.
Drug interactions
No recorded interactions
Side effects
- Stomach irritation (large amounts)
⚕ When to see a doctor
- If high fever, shortness of breath or purulent/bloody phlegm develops
- If symptoms do not improve within 1–2 weeks or worsen
- If severe abdominal pain, jaundice, rash or allergic reaction occurs
Did you know?
Cubeb was as popular as black pepper in 17th-century Europe until an import ban made it almost vanish from kitchens. [1]
Frequently asked questions
Cubeb vs black pepper?
Both are Piper species; cubeb is dried with its stalk and tastes sharper and slightly bitter.
Does cubeb help cough?
It is used traditionally; there are no clinical studies.
Where is cubeb used?
In North African cooking and some spice blends (e.g. ras el hanout).
Sources
- Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy (16th Edition)Elsevier Health Sciences · 2009
Cite This Page
Cubeb Pepper (Piper cubeba). Herbadex — Doğal Şifa Rehberi (2026). https://herbadex.com/en/herb/cubeb-pepper/
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