False Black Pepper (Vidanga)

Vidanga is a large climbing shrub of the primrose family that grows wild in hill forests across much of India, including the Western Ghats. It bears small round berries that dry into wrinkled, pepper-like grains, which is why it is often called false black pepper.

The dried fruit is a well-known ingredient in classical Ayurvedic texts, where it is valued for supporting digestive comfort and oral freshness. It appears in many traditional powders and preparations, often blended with other warming spices.