The meaning of the symbols of cubeb seen in a dream.

Tailed pepper. Piper cubeba L. Constituents: lignans, gum resins, volatile oil.

Action: powerfully stimulates genito-urinary mucous surfaces and for this purpose was used by the Old School extensively for gonorrhoea and other STDs. As an expectorant was once used for chronic cough and bronchitis (1ozenges).

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Liquid Extract BPC (1934) 1 in 1. Dose: 2-4ml. Tincture Cubebs BPC 1949; dose, 2-4ml. Powder: dose, 2-4g. ... cubebs

Linn. f.

Family: Piperaceae.

Habitat: Native to Indonesia; cultivated in Assam and Karnataka.

English: Cubeb, Tailed Pepper.

Ayurvedic: Kankola, Kakkola, Kankolaka, Takkola, Koraka, Kolaka, Kashphala, Sheetalchini, Chinoshana.

Unani: Kabaabchini, Habb-ul- uruus.

Siddha/Tamil: Valmilagu.

Action: Fruit—Carminative, diuretic, expectorant. Used for coughs, bronchitis, asthma, urinary tract infections, amoebic dysentery. Stimulates genitourinary mucous surfaces. Oil—antibacterial, used in genitourinary diseases and cystitis.

Key application: In dysuria. (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.)

The ground fruits have been found to be effective in treating amoebic dys- tentery.

The oil exhibits antiviral activity in rats and antibacterial in vitro.

Unripe fruit contains volatile oil (1020%) consisting of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons; lignans, mainly cubebine (about 2%), with (-)-cubebinin and ki- nokinin; cubebic acid. The oxygenated cyclohexanes, piperenol A and B, together with (+)-crotepoxide and (+)- zeylenol, have been isolated from the fruit. Polyhydroxy cyclohexanes possess antitumour, antileukaemic and antibiotic activities.

Dosage: Fruit—1-2 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)... piper cubeba

Litsea cubeba

FAMILY: Lauraceae

SYNONYMS: L. citrata, ‘may chang’, exotic verbena, tropical verbena.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: A small tropical tree with fragrant, lemongrass-scented leaves and flowers. The small fruits are shaped like peppers, from which the name ‘cubeba’ derives.

DISTRIBUTION: Native to east Asia, especially China; cultivated in Taiwan and japan. China is the main producer of the oil, much of which is used by the Chinese themselves.

OTHER SPECIES: Despite its folk names, this plant is not related to lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla). It belongs to the same family as the laurel tree, rosewood and cinnamon.

HERBAL/FOLK TRADITION: It is planted as a wind breaker in China.

ACTIONS: Antiseptic, deodorant, digestive, disinfectant, insecticidal, stimulant, stomachic.

EXTRACTION: Essential oil by steam distillation from the fruits.

CHARACTERISTICS: A pale yellow mobile liquid with an intense, lemony, fresh-fruity odour (sweeter than lemongrass but less tenacious).

PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS: Mainly citral (up to 85 per cent).

SAFETY DATA: Non-toxic, non-irritant, possible sensitization in some individuals.

AROMATHERAPY/HOME: USE

Skin care: Acne, dermatitis, excessive perspiration, greasy skin, insect repellent, spots.

Digestive system: Flatulence, indigestion.

Immune system: Epidemics, sanitation.

OTHER USES: Extensively used as a fragrance component in air fresheners, soaps, deodorants, colognes, toiletries and perfumes. Employed in flavouring work, especially fruit products. It serves as a source of natural ‘citral’ all over the world.... litsea cubeba