Long pepper was used in antiquity both as spice and as medicament. It is mentioned in a number of mediaeval drug lists.6) Presumably, however, it never was in general use and in recent times it has come into disuse.

Distilled oil of long pepper is first mentioned in pharmaceutical price ordinances in 1589. It was included in the 1589 edition of the Dispensatorium Nor/cum. The first chemical examination of long pepper was made by Winkler7) in 1827.