The tiny black bead-like spice is, in fact, a fruit that belongs to the Piperaceae family. A highly aromatic and savory spice, the presence of piperine gives it a fabulous medicinal value. Grown in Kerala, South India, black pepper is used in cooking and has remained a vital ingredient of Ayurvedic traditions since time unknown.
Well-known for its antibacterial properties, these tiny black beads are rich in assorted vitamins and minerals. A powerful anti-inflammatory medicinal spice, it is widely used as a natural cure for respiratory ailments and painful conditions.
In addition, it is primarily used for its emmenagogue, anthelmintic, carminative, alterant, and diuretic properties. The fruit of the plant is used for its medicinal purposes.
The Must Know Health Benefits of Black Pepper
1. Respiratory tract conditions – Cold and Cough
Rich with vitamin C and antibacterial properties, black pepper is one of the most effective cures for common colds and coughs. Its decongestant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties help unclog the respiratory tract, ease inflammation, and alleviate pain in conditions like sinusitis and bronchitis.
Steep 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper in 1 cup water. Mix 1 tbsp honey into the mixture and sip twice daily for quicker relief from respiratory ailments.
2. Alleviates fever
Black Pepper has the power to work as an antipyretic. It elevates the body temperature by stimulating the circulation, thus promoting sweating. As the body starts sweating, the temperature starts falling, and the fever vanishes.
Gently heat a paste of black pepper and turmeric and apply it on the forehead and cheekbones to bring down fever. A concoction of black pepper with turmeric powder and dry ginger powder flavored with jaggery can also be consumed for similar results.
3. Strengthens Immune System
Ayurvedic texts suggest including black pepper pepper in your daily diet to improve immunity power. The vitamin C present in the spice has antioxidative properties, which help in eliminating free radicals. The lesser the damage-inducing oxygen molecules are, the lower the risk of infections.
4. Weight loss
Black pepper help with weight loss in different ways. It improves the digestive fire and ensures proper absorption of all nutrients. Secondly, it enhances the rate of metabolism, thus providing better burning of calories. Thirdly, black pepper pepper is also known to suppress the appetite, thereby preventing overconsumption of food. In addition, it is also known to avoid the formation of new fat cells. In short, black pepper help you become lean!
Make a mixture of black Pepper, Long Pepper, and dry ginger in equal proportions. Take it on an empty stomach. It will help in eliminating unwanted fat from your body.
5. Cure for digestive problems
These spice bullets are loaded with piperine and various monoterpenes hydrocarbons like terpenene and limonene, which help improve the motility of the food in the gut. These compounds also stimulate the digestive fire by triggering the enhanced secretion of various gastrointestinal enzymes. Piperine also enables the absorption of a wide array of nutrients essential for proper digestion.
It is said that consuming black pepper with asafetida and a pinch of salt with lukewarm water could prevent indigestion and ease acidity. However, if you already suffer from hyperacidity, please consult a doctor before using black pepper.
Add its powder to buttermilk and take it two times a day to get rid of problems related to digestion.
6. Menstruation
A mixture of 8 to 10 basil leaves, half a teaspoon of black pepper powder, and a tablespoon of honey, when consumed twice a day for about four weeks, is said to help regulate your menstrual cycle.
Consume 10 black peppercorns with a glass of lukewarm water to ease the cramps and pain you experience during your periods. A concoction made of simmering black pepper and cinnamon is known to help in controlling the bleeding also.
7. Infections
Ward off infections that affect you as the season changes with a piping-hot glass of black pepper tea. The antioxidants boost the immunity power while the antibacterial and antiseptic properties help in quicker healing.
When topically, a poultice made of black pepper powder and turmeric powder is said to ward off infections on mosquito and other insect bites.
8. Teeth and bones
Black Pepper contains calcium, 57% of the RDA vitamin K, and about 45% of the daily iron requirement. No wonder it is a perfectly healthy way to take care of the health of your bones and teeth.
9. Prevents premature aging of skin
The rich presence of antioxidants in black pepper makes it an effective solution to prevent premature skin aging. Add ½ a teaspoon of crushed black peppercorns to 2 cups coconut oil and heat the mixture until smoky. Use this to massage your face regularly to ward off wrinkles and fine lines.
10. Good for skin health
Black Pepper is an excellent exfoliating agent. It eliminates the dead skin cells and other pollutants that otherwise clog the cells. It also improves the circulation, thereby keeping your skin radiant.
Black pepper pepper’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it an effective natural antidote for acne and pimples. It could also be used to eliminate blackheads. Apply a little black pepper powder, turmeric powder, and honey to the affected area. Remove the application after it dries off using a damp washcloth.
Black Pepper’s antiseptic and antibiotic properties effectively cure various skin conditions like scabies and vitiligo.
11. Promotes hair growth
Give yourself shiny, soft, thick hair with black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp of crushed black peppercorns in sesame seed or olive oil until smoky, and use this to massage your scalp regularly. It improves the blood circulation to the hair follicles and wards off infection, thus revitalizing your hair. It also prevents the premature graying of hair.
12. A natural solution for dandruff
Black Pepper is an effective natural remedy for dandruff. Mix one teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper pepper in a bowl of curd and whisk thoroughly to blend well. Apply this mixture on the scalp and wash off as usual after half an hour to ward off dandruff.
13. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties
Black pepper’ analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties make them an efficient solution for arthritis and back pain.
Boil ginger, cumin, and pepper in mustard oil. This preparation could be used as a massage oil for joint pains.
14. Good for your brain
According to various studies, piperine in this spice helps prevent age-induced cognitive issues, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It also improves memory and cognitive functioning in aging generations.
15. Earaches
Sprinkle a little black pepper powder on a cotton dipped in sesame seed oil. Place it on the ear to relieve an earache due to infections.
16. Could be used as a solution for peptic ulcer
While it is suggested that black pepper could be beneficial in healing peptic ulcers, other studies negate this benefit.
17. Beneficial for cardiovascular health
It contains various minerals that could help lower blood pressure and prevent arterial deposits. It also helps in maintaining the levels of cholesterol and the rhythm of the heartbeat. In short, black pepper pepper has the potential to save you from various cardiovascular conditions, including stroke and atherosclerosis.
Have you ever used black pepper in your diet? Have you experienced its benefits? If not, it is time you start! But do check with your doctor to rule out any complications, especially if you have any medical conditions.
About
Black pepper pepper belongs to the family Piperaceae, and its scientific name is Piper nigrum. It is primarily used as spices and in medicines. It is grown in regions with hot and humid temperatures, between 10 to 40 degrees C. The ideal temperature for growing this herb is around 28 degrees C.
Health Benefits Research
As per National Center for Biotechnology Information, the benefits of this herb could be attributed to the presence of piperine. This stimulates the pancreas’s digestive enzymes, reduces the transit time of food in the gastrointestinal tract, and increases the digestive capacity. In several animal studies, it has been established that the active ingredient in this herb is safe. It contains 16 calories per 6 grams of serving.
Nutritional Facts of Black Pepper
| Nutrient | Amount (Unit) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 15.9 kcal | – |
| Fat | 0.2 g | – |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | – |
| Carbohydrates | 3.9 g | – |
| Fiber | 1.6 g | 6% |
| Sugar | 0 g | – |
| Protein | 0.7 g | – |
| Sodium | 1.2 mg | – |
| Calcium | 27 mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.6 mg | 3% |
Amount: 1 tablespoon (6 grams)
