Black pepper essential oil : properties and natural remedies. How to use this oil for internal and external use. Contraindications and advice.
The black pepper is always used in Ayurvedic medicine, which is the traditional Indian medicine. According to oriental medicine, black pepper and its essential oil could stimulate digestion by promoting metabolic activities.
Black pepper essential oil for internal use
Addition of 2-3 drops of essential oil of black pepper in food, not only adds a strong aroma to reach but can help relieve disorders like constipation, flatulence and diarrhea.
Also for internal use, the essential oil of black pepper would be able to eliminate toxins thanks to its diaphoretic properties: its intake, in fact, increases sweating and helps expel toxins through sweat. This essential oil, used orally, would exert diuretic properties by counteracting the accumulation of fluids in the body.
The essential oil of black pepper can be used in the kitchen to flavour dishes but paying close attention to the dosages. This oil is rich in nutrients : it is a good source of minerals such as iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and selenium. Make Moreover, vitamin A and vitamin K.
Black pepper essential oil for external use
To quit smoking
In aromatherapy, black pepper essential oil is used to reduce nicotine addiction by helping those who want to quit smoking. Every time you feel the need to smoke a cigarette, just inhale the aroma of the essential oil of black pepper.
To fight infections
Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, preparations based on this essential oil can be used to fight bacterial and fungal infections.
As a natural anxiolytic
In aromatherapy it is used for its relaxing properties, it is able to relieve anxiety and stress. You can inhale its aroma to clear your mind and ward off worries.
To improve circulation
An ointment made with one part black pepper essential oil and two parts carrier oil ( wheat germ oil recommended ) can help stimulate blood circulation when applied with a massage. It is a natural remedy useful against cellulite but even more so to solve the problem of numbness of the limbs (hands and feet) or as a remedy for cold hands or feet.
Wraps made with black pepper essential oil may have antipyretic properties and can be used to relieve muscle pain.
Where to buy black pepper essential oil
Black pepper essential oil is extracted from the pepper plant berries, botanically known as Piper nigrum. It is composed of monoterpenes, tuiene, pinene, camphene and sabinene, with highly stimulating properties. It is not easy to find this essential oil on the market if not by contacting well-stocked herbalists.
Contraindications of black pepper essential oil
When it comes to taking essential oils internally (added to a particular food) it is always recommended to ask your doctor for an opinion, even if it is an essential oil considered safe like that of black pepper.
As for the contraindications for external use, they are limited to possible allergic skin reactions in the rare cases of intolerance, which can be solved simply by washing the treated body part and suspending use.
The black pepper plant
The botanical name of the plant from which the pepper is obtained is “Piper nigrum“, a woody plant belonging to the Piperaceae family that exceeds 3 meters in height.
The pepper plant is grown in countries with a tropical climate, in South America (especially Brazil), in several countries of Southeast Asia and southern Africa, in particular in Madagascar. In these areas, fertile and humid soils are available, ideal for the cultivation of piper nigrum.
Pepper is obtained from the fruits of the plant which are green. After being dried they become black in color.
