• Origin: South India
• Scientific name: Piper nigrum
• Family: Pepper family (Piperaceae)
• Medicinal Properties: Antispasmodic, Anti-toxic, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Laxative, Stimulant, Stomachic, Warm, Muscle Relaxant, Circulation
• Active Constituent: The spiciness of black pepper is due to the chemical piperine, which is found both in the outer fruit and in the seed.

Pepper plant is a flowering vine cultivated for its fruit. The plant grow up to 33 feet, they begin to bear small white clustered flowers after 3 to 4 years and develop into berries which is usually dried and used as a spice and seasoning. In dried form, the fruit is known as peppercorn and the ground peppercorns produce the spice we call pepper.

How Peppercorn is produce? Peppercorn is produced from the still-green unripe berries of the pepper plant. The berries are cooked briefly in hot water, to clean them and to prepare them for drying. The heat breaks cell walls in the fruit, speeding the work of browning enzymes during drying. The berries are dried in the sun or by machine for several days, during which the fruit around the seed shrinks and darkens into a thin, wrinkled black layer. Once dried, the fruits are called black peppercorns.

Health Benefits:

• The active chemical (piperine) in peppercorn has been shown to dramatically increase absorption of selenium, vitamin B and beta-carotene as well as other nutrients.
• Pepper stimulates appetite.
• Pepper help to stimulate the secretion of digestive juices known as hydrochloric acid. This acid is responsible for breaking down protein in the stomach. If we don't make enough hydrochloric acid, we develop conditions like poor digestion, heartburn or symptoms of indigestion.
• Pepper has the ability to diminish the amount of gas in the intestinal tract. This leads to less flatulence and bloating.
• Pepper contains a good amount of antioxidant properties.
• Pepper can help prevent bacterial growth, especially in the intestinal tract.
• Pepper is a good activator of herbal formulations, for instance pepper is added to turmeric to increase its potency.
• Pepper help enhance circulation and get oxygen to the brain. In addition, it may help keep your joints and respiratory system healthy.
• The outer skin of the peppercorn may help enhance metabolism, leading to weight loss.

Storage and Usage Tips:

• Pepper loses flavor and aroma through evaporation, so airtight storage helps preserve pepper's original spiciness longer. Pepper can also lose flavor when exposed to light.
• Once ground, pepper's aromatics can evaporate quickly, it is therefore recommended to just grind whole peppercorn immediately before use.

Warning: Black pepper essential oil is a skin irritant in high concentrations, use in moderation.