Cubebs, or CUBE BEPPER, the dried berries of Piper Cubeba, a climbing shrub, a native of Sumatra, Java, and Southern Borneo. The fruits of other species of Piper are sometimes substituted for the true cubebe. Although known to the Arabs in the middle ages, cubebs fell gradually into disuse, till at the beginning of this century all reference to it was omitted in medical books, and its importation into Britain ceased entirely. It is again, however, coming into use. As a stomachic and carminative in indigestion it has a certain value, while in piles and in sore throats its administration is attended with benefit.
Cubebs contains a volatile oil, a crystalline substance called cubebin, and resinous bodies, one of which is cubebic acid. The cubebin is inactive, while the volatile oil is not believed to have the full virtue of the cubebs. It enters, however, into the composition of a well-known voice lozenge, to which it imparts highly stimulating properties. The diuretic properties are held by some to be entirely due to the resinous bodies, but on this point there is difference of opinion. The dose of powdered cubebs is from one to three drachms, that of the volatile oil ten drops, and of the oleoresin five to thirty drops.