UNRAVELLING THE VARIETAL COMPLEXITY OF PIPPALI (PIPER LONGUM LINN) FRUIT IN RAJA NIGHANTU

Introduction: Pippali (Piper longum Linn.) is a celebrated Ayurvedic drug extensively described for its respiratory, digestive, and Rasayana applications. Classical Nighantus, while unanimous on its importance, differ in their classification and description of varieties, reflecting both regional and therapeutic perspectives. Methods: A systematic textual review of Raj Nighantu was conducted to document, compare, and analyze the various types of Pippali mentioned. Cross-references from commentaries and modern pharmacognostic data were examined to support identification and interpretation. Results: The analysis revealed a broad spectrum of Pippali varieties, including Pippali (fruit), Gajapippali, Simhali Pippali and Vanadi Pippali, with minor variations in nomenclature and identification. Discussion/Conclusion: The multiplicity of Pippali across Nighantus illustrates the dynamic nature of Ayurvedic pharmacology, where ecological diversity and clinical specificity shaped classification. Recognizing these textual variations enhances our understanding of Ayurvedic materia medica and invites modern pharmacognostic validation of these traditional categories.