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Botanical illustration of Kadsura Pepper Stem
MedicinalSourced entry

Kadsura Pepper Stem

Piper kadsura

Hai feng teng, the stem of a pepper plant, used in East Asian medicine for over 2,000 years for rheumatism and joint pain.

What is Kadsura Pepper Stem?

Plant family
Piperaceae, the pepper family
Parts used
The dried stems
Genus
Piper
Species
kadsura

Also called

Piperis Kadsurae Caulis, Piper kadsura

Traditional names

Hai Feng Teng, Haifengteng

Traditionally used for

  • Rheumatism and joint pain (traditional)

Traditionally described as

  • Relieved pain (in animal studies)

Health topics

Where Kadsura Pepper Stem appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.

  • Joint Discomfort

    A traditional Chinese remedy for rheumatic joint pain; relieved pain and inflammation in animal studies. Not tested in trials.

Traditions that use it

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine

    Called hai feng teng; used for over 2,000 years to dispel rheumatism and relieve joint pain.

What does the research say?

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

  • Hai feng teng has been used in East Asian medicine for over 2,000 years to "dispel rheumatism", open up the body's channels and relieve joint pain. It's mainly used to prevent and treat rheumatic diseases, on its own, in herbal formulas or in medicinal foods.[1]

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

  • In lab and animal studies, its extracts and compounds may help reduce inflammation, relieved pain, acted as antioxidants, protected nerve cells in models of Alzheimer's disease, and showed activity against cancer cells and viruses. These haven't been confirmed in people.[1]

Sources

  1. [1] Piper kadsura (Choisy) Ohwi: A comprehensive review of botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control · DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2025.120134Peer-reviewed study

This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.