Although black pepper is quite overlooked these days, it the peak days of spice trade black pepper was used as currency! It is high time people started looking on this spice differently, as it indeed has a lot to offer. Black pepper, particularly black pepper essential oil, offers a wide range of surprising health benefits.
Health Benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper essential oil offers countless remedial properties,
including laxative, carminative, antibacterial, expectorant,
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antiseptic, stimulant,
antispasmodic, rubefacient, diaphoretic, febrifuge, and many more.
Good for the stomach: It increases the secretion of hydrochloric acid in
the stomach, which in turn improves digestion. Healthy digestion is
essential to prevent colic, constipation, and diarrhea. Black pepper
also prevents the formation of intestinal gas and it promotes urination
and sweating, which helps remove toxic matter from the body.
Weight loss: The outer layer of the peppercorn stimulates the breakdown
of fat cells, which makes it ideal for blasting fat and shedding weight
in an all-natural way.
Skin health: Pepper helps cure vitiligo, a condition which causes areas
of the skin to turn white. It has been scientifically shown that
piperine present in pepper stimulates the production of pigment.
Respiratory relief: Pepper relieves nasal congestion and sinusitis, due
to its ability to dissolve mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract.
Antibacterial activity: Pepper`s antibacterial properties help fight
against insect bites and infections. Regular consumption of this spice
cleanses the arteries, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Antioxidant activity: Its antioxidant properties help prevent or repair
damage by free radicals, which in turn protects against liver problems,
cardiovascular disease, and even cancer.
Neurological health: Piperine, one of the major compounds of black
pepper, has been found to reduce cognitive malfunction and memory
impairment.
The benefits of black pepper essential oil heavily depend on the way it
is consumed. It can be ingested, inhaled, or applied topically. Read on
for more in-depth information regarding the three ways of using black
pepper essential oil and the benefits attributed to each, respectively.
Orally
When ingested, such as added to BBQ or steak sauce, black pepper
essential oil provides sesquiterpenes, potent antioxidants which are
known to promote urination and sweating, two ways in which the body
eliminates toxins. This oil also increases bile in the stomach, which
helps break down food and ensure healthy digestion.
Aromatically
While black pepper essential oil is mostly known for its ability to
relax the body physically, it relaxes the mind, too. When inhaled, often
used aromatically with oils like lavender and juniper, it helps ease
mental stress and help people deal with the stress of smoking cessation.
Topically
Ultimately, using black pepper oil topically along with carrier oil
helps relax the muscle and alleviate cramps and pulls. Its antispasmodic
properties alleviate cramps while its antioxidant properties remove
uric acid from the blood, making it beneficial for people suffering from
gout, arthritis, and rheumatism.