Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt)
Piper kadsura
About Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt)
Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) (Piper kadsura) is a herb used in the Vietnamese Traditional Medicine tradition to help with Arthritis, Pain, Circulation, and Respiratory Issues. The root is the part traditionally used, taken internally.
Botanical background
Piper kadsura (Japanese pepper) is an East Asian species of pepper vine. It belongs to the magnoliid family Piperaceae family.
Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist
Parts used
Conditions addressed
Decoction
- Add 1–2 tsp of dried Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) to 2 cups of cold water.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15–20 minutes.
- Strain and drink warm.
Tincture
- Pack dried Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
- Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
Powder / Capsule
- Grind dried Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) into a fine powder.
- Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
Topical / Poultice
- Mash fresh Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
- Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
Infused Oil
- Fill a jar with dried Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt).
- Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
- Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
- Use topically or as a salve base.
Steam Inhalation
- Add 2–3 tbsp of Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) to a bowl of just-boiled water.
- Drape a towel over your head and inhale steam for 5–10 minutes.
Herbal Bath
- Brew 4–6 tbsp of Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
- Soak for 20–30 minutes.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
- Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
- Pre-surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks prior (potential antiplatelet effect)
Warnings
⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.
⛔ Heart & Blood Pressure Medications
May interact with antihypertensive drugs, blood thinners, or cardiac medications. Do not combine without medical guidance.
⚠️ Allergic Reactions
Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
⚠️ Not Medical Advice
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.
Drug & herb interactions
May thin the blood
Watch for: Anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), and other blood-thinning herbs or supplements (ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E)
Combining blood-thinning substances can increase bleeding risk, including before surgery or dental work.
Where to find in nature
Native region
Vietnam, southern China
Climate
Tropical to subtropical
Habitat
Tropical forests, rice paddy borders, and village herb gardens of Vietnam
🌿 To see Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.
Where to buy
In store
- Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
- Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
- Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
- Farmers markets with herb vendors
Online
iHerb
Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing
Mountain Rose Herbs
Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced
Starwest Botanicals
Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders
Herb Pharm
High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards
Amazon
Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing
Etsy
Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs
Quality tips
When buying Long Pepper Root (Thất Thốt), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.