# Chavika

> Chavika (Piper retrofractum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Pungent herb—start with lower doses. Bioavailability: Piper chaba (syn. retrofractum)—closely related to Pippali. Piperine and piperlongumine show excellent oral bioavailability (>85%). Self-bioenhancing herb through CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Piper retrofractum

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Chavika |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Component of compound formulations

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule. Pungent herb—start with lower doses.

**Bioavailability:** Piper chaba (syn. P. retrofractum)—closely related to [Pippali](/herb/pippali/). [Piperine](/reference/piperine/) and [piperlongumine](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#piperlongumine) show excellent oral bioavailability (>85%). Self-bioenhancing herb through CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition. Rapid GI absorption of piperine [alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids). Thermogenic effect increases splanchnic blood flow and absorption of co-administered compounds. Essentially functions as a bioenhancer (Yogavahi) like [Pippali](/herb/pippali/).

**Optimal Timing:** Before or with meals for digestive enhancement; as bioenhancer taken concurrently with target formulation

**Standardized Extract:** Fruit extract standardized to piperine NLT 5%; total alkaloids NLT 8%. Oleoresin with piperine NLT 30%.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (capsule/tablet); 3 years (extract)

**Storage:** Airtight containers away from light. Cool, dry conditions. Separate from less pungent herbs during storage to prevent aroma transfer.

**Marker Compounds:** Piperine, Piperlongumine, [Pipernonaline](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#pipernonaline), Retrofractamide A-D, [Chavicine](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#chavicine), Beta-caryophyllene

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20) for piperine enrichment
- Ethanol extraction (95%) for alkaloid profiling
- Aqueous decoction for traditional use
- Supercritical CO2 for piperine-rich oleoresin

### Synergistic Combinations

- With Shunthi and Maricha as [Trikatu](/herb/trikatu/) variant for digestive enhancement
- With Chitraka for Agni (digestive fire) stimulation
- With [Haridra](/herb/haridra/)—enhances [curcumin](/herb/curcumin/) bioavailability (piperine effect)
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for immunomodulation with enhanced absorption

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/chavika/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.