Svetamarica
Svetamarica is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Piperine inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and P-glycoprotein, thereby increasing bioavailability of co-administered compounds by 30-200%. White pepper (Svetamarica) has identical piperine content to black pepper but lacks the outer pericarp (and its associated compounds like chavicine).
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | White pepper |
| Sanskrit | Svetamarica |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Essential oil, Oleoresin
Standard Dosage: 500 mg - 2 g powder per day; 250-500 mg extract capsule twice daily; primarily used as bioenhancer at 5-20 mg piperine per dose
Optimal Timing: With meals (reduces GI irritation); co-administer simultaneously with target compound for bioenhancement; Trikatu traditionally taken before meals for Deepana-Pachana (digestive enhancement)
Storage: Below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Piperine is light-sensitive, use amber or opaque packaging. Essential oil in amber glass with nitrogen headspace. RH <55%.
Marker Compounds: Piperine, Piperyline, Piperanine, Piperettine, Beta-caryophyllene (essential oil), Limonene (essential oil), Sabinene
Synergistic Combinations
- Many Ayurvedic formulations (Trikatu component, used as a bioenhancer)
- Curcumin/Haridra (most studied combination)
- Ashwagandha (enhanced withanolide absorption)
- Boswellia/Shallaki (enhanced boswellic acid absorption)
- CoQ10, Resveratrol, EGCG (nutraceutical bioenhancement)
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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