Black Pepper Health Benefits
Black Pepper is a plant of the Piperaceae family, basically found in the region of Kerala, a southern state of India. Pepper plant is a soft woody climbing plant that grows to a height of about 33 feet in a hot tropical climate. It is an expensive plant and well known to all due to its medicinal value. Many people in India use black pepper to add taste and aroma to food.
If we peep in the history of ancient times, black pepper was considered a sacred plant and used in the offerings to God. It was also considered as the symbol of wealth in those days. Black pepper is the most traded spice of India to all regions of world. The plus point of this plant is that it is available throughout the year.
Black pepper is a great source of magnesium, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K and dietary fibre. Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, herbalists use it to cure impotency, respiratory disorders, cough and cold, constipation, diarrhoea, heart diseases and dental problems. It is also good for treating anaemic patients and patients of muscular strains.
Black pepper is an aromatic plant. One pinch of black pepper gives incredible taste to food. You can use it by adding it in dishes, curd and salad. It is easily available in the market in packed form but the best method to use it is to buy whole peppercorns and grind all of them at home. After grinding them, keep the powder of peppercorns in airtight containers in a cool and dry place. Though black pepper remains fresh almost for a very long period, it is advised to use this pulverised material within three months for better results.
Black pepper is good for digestion and it is helpful in curing diarrhoea and colic. It checks the formation of intestinal gas. Due to its fibre content it is also good for treating the problem of constipation. Herbalists have used it since ancient period to cure cough and seasonal cold. It helps in removing nasal blockage. Due to its antibacterial content, black pepper keeps your skin clean and protects it from insect bites and allergies. Many scientists claim that black pepper is also helpful in preventing deadly diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases and liver related problems.
Black pepper is also helpful in curing skin diseases and infections. A London based research association argues that the use of piperine content of black pepper with ultra violate light therapy can cure skin problems, even skin cancer. It is also helpful in preventing tooth decay, throat ulcer and even helps asthma patients. It is an amazing fact that in ancient times, herbalists used black pepper to cure eye related problems too. In Ayurveda, black pepper is also recommended for treating ear-related problems and gangrene. It is also helpful in curing problems related to joints.