Chavika
Piper retrofractum
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.
| Botanical name | Piper retrofractum |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. II: CAVYA (Stem) |
| Also called | Piper chaba (nomenclatural synonym) Piper officinarum (nomenclatural synonym) |
| Family | Piperaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Piperales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 3086342 · Wikidata Q7504329 · NCBI Taxonomy 130414 |
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. Piperine and piperlongumine show excellent oral bioavailability (>85%). Self-bioenhancing herb through CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibition. Rapid GI absorption of piperine alkaloids. Thermogenic effect increases splanchnic blood flow and absorption of co-administered compounds. Essentially functions as a bioenhancer (Yogavahi) like 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, Retrofractamide A-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
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