35 Black Pepper Essential Oil Uses and Benefits That Will Surprise You

By Essential Oils Informer July 16, 2015 Essential Oils, Essential Oils for Cooking, Essential Oils for Healing, Essential Oils for Oral Health, Uncategorized 0 Comments

Black Pepper is the undisputed “King of Spices” and hence is highly regarded and mostwidely used spice across the globe. For thousands of years, Black Pepper has been prescribed in Ayurvedic, Unani, Siddha, and Traditional Chinese medicine texts for curing colds, recurring pains, fevers and as an anti-parasitical and anti-bacterial treatments especially Malaria. It has been widely employed for treating digestive disorders especially that of stomach. It was an important spice in East-West trading in the early times. Black Pepper finds mention in the early Roman culture. The Caesars treated Black Pepper as a currency, storing vast quantities of it, unused, in the Roman treasury. The Asian world has long regarded Black Pepper and its essential oil for preparing detoxification and as an anti-aging compounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5fRFjU5ugA

Though native to India, currently Vietnam is the world’s largest producer and exporter of Black Pepper, with 34% percent of the world’s Piper nigrum crop production (as of 2008). Other major producers include India (19 percent), Indonesia (9 percent), Malaysia (8 percent), Sri Lanka (6 percent), China (6 percent) and Thailand (4 percent).

While everyone is familiar with the black pepper spice widely used in nearly every cooking recipe, not as many people are familiar with the uses and benefits of Black Pepper essential oil. Black pepper essential oil was considered sacred in earlier times, and was so valuable it was traded for gold. It was used by Egyptians in the mummification process, and was found in the nostrils of Ramses II.

What is Black Pepper Essential Oil?

Black Pepper is best known as a common cooking spice that enhances the flavor of foods, but it’s internal and topical benefits are equally noteworthy. Black Pepper has a chemical structure similar to Melissa, contributing to its reputation as an oil that soothes nerves and lessens anxious feelings. This essential oil is high in monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, known for their antioxidant activity and ability to help ward off environmental and seasonal threats. Black Pepper promotes healthy circulation both internally and externally, but should be used with caution when applied topically due to its strong warming sensation. It can also help with the digestion of foods, making it an ideal oil to cook with and enjoy both for its flavor and internal benefits.

Black pepper essential oil (Piper nigrum) is steam-distilled from the berries (peppercorn) of the Piperceae. Although black pepper itself is frequently used, the oil is not so widely known. The aroma of black pepper is spicy, musky, warm, and you guessed it… peppery.

The health benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties as a digestive, diaphoretic, carminative, aperient, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, antiarthritic, antibacterial, and antioxidant substance.

Black Pepper is considered a condiment or a spice that is very common and popular throughout the world. It is extensively used in culinary applications. It tastes hot and has an appetizing aroma. Black pepper is the dried fruit of the pepper plant, whose scientific name is Piper Nigrum.

In the distant past, it was considered sacred and was even used as a form of currency. It was so valuable that it was traded for gold and was one of the most prized trade items exported from India to the rest of the world. It was considered more valuable than gold.

The main components of its essential oil are Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, Phellandrene, Beta Caryophyllene, Beta Bisabolene, Sabinene, Linalol, Pinocarveol, Alpha Termineol, Camphene and Alpha Terpenene. Apart from those, black pepper is also rich in minerals and vitamins like Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Vitamin-K, Beta Carotene, Phosphorus, Potassium and Selenium. Let’s explore more about the wide range of impressive health benefits that black pepper essential oil has in store for us!

According to Modern Essentials, the properties within a quality brand of black pepper include:

Analgesic
Anticatarrhal
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antitoxic
Aphrodisiac
Expectorant
Laxative
Rubefacient
Stimulant (nervous, circulatory, and digestive)

Therapeutically, black pepper essential oil is mostly used as a supplement for digestive and nervous system support and wellness. For this reason many people will use the oil as a flavoring in their cooking, just as you might with crushed black pepper. However, the ratios will be MUCH different. You wouldn’t use a full teaspoon of black pepper essential oil (yikes!!), but rather start off with a drop or less to find the right amounts for your recipes.

Aromatically, black pepper essential oil helps people to examine things with clarity and honesty. It allows a person to take off their own facade or mask, share their true thoughts and emotions, and unblock the flow of growth in this way. It might help a person who is dealing with repressed memories or emotions, allowing them to dig deep into their past or their present experiences. It can help you uncover hidden truths or face patterns or habits with courage. In fact, there are even studies done on the effectiveness of black pepper essential oil and smoking addictions (Rose et al, 1994).

Benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil

Digestive

Black pepper is remarkably beneficial for digestion because it stimulates the whole digestive system, from the salivary glands in the mouth to the large intestine, including promoting secretion of digestive juices like acids and bile into the stomach to facilitate digestion. Black pepper can be safely used as a spice for food for people who are on a bland diet or are otherwise forbidden to have chilies. People suffering from ulcer of the mouth or digestive system, jaundice, or extreme acidity should avoid consuming chili peppers. Black pepper is a delicious and healthy alternative.

Antispasmodic

It is an effective antispasmodic and gives good relief in case of cramps, muscles pulls, spasms, or convulsions.

Carminative

Black Pepper Essential Oil is carminative and helps remove gases and prohibit additional gas formation in the stomach and in the intestines. It also helps inhibit bacteria that are responsible for the formation of gas.

Aperient

Black pepper essential oil has mild purgative properties, but it is safe for the system, unlike other purgatives like Castor Oil. It helps clean the intestines and at the same time, cures infections in the digestive and the excretory system.

Antirheumatic & Antiarthritic

These are two of the best qualities of black pepper essential oil. It is warming, stimulating and improves circulation, thereby giving immediate relief for rheumatism and arthritis, particularly during the winter when the symptoms are aggravated the most. It is also effective in removing toxins like uric acid from the blood, thereby benefiting people suffering from chronic rheumatism, arthritis, and gout.

Diaphoretic & Diuretic

Black pepper essential oil, when ingested, increases sweating and urination. Both of these properties play an important role in the removal of toxins from the body, clearing of the pores on the skin, and disinfecting the body. Sweating and urinating help eliminate extra water and fat from the body, thereby reducing weight, lowering blood pressure and making the body very relaxed. These properties are also helpful for reducing inflammation.

Antioxidant

This is yet another beneficial property of black pepper essential oil. It protects the body from damages done by oxidants (free radicals) and also helps to repair those damages that have already been done. It also delays adverse effects of aging such as vision loss, macular degeneration, wrinkling of the skin, degeneration and loosening of the muscles, loss of mobility in the joints, nervous disorders, and memory loss.

Antibacterial

It has good antibacterial properties that you can enjoy without any adverse side effects. It is very effective in curing bacterial infections in the mouth, colon, digestive system, and urinary tract. It also disinfects food that it is added to and protects them from bacterial infections for long periods.

Other Benefits

Black pepper essential oil is rich in certain useful minerals and vitamins too. For example, there is vitamin-A (Beta Carotene), which is very beneficial for ocular health as well as for antioxidant activity. It has vitamin-K, which is essential for maintaining proper circulatory and metabolic functions, muscles and bones. Furthermore, it has calcium, potassium and selenium. While calcium is good for bones and potassium for regulating blood pressure, selenium is essentially required for the proper formation of bones, nails, hair follicles and teeth, as well as for proper functioning of the brain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScyRzgVEWaI

Uses of Black Pepper Essential Oil

The following are potential uses found in or on Modern Essentials, Aromatic Science, PubMed.gov, as well as through anecdotal experience and other resources. Use them to inspire your own ideas, experiment, and see what works for you.

Addictions (Tobacco)

Diffuse throughout the day, add to a pendant to keep nearby while quitting smoking, or try a small dab (possibly diluted) on the tongue for cravings.

Arthritis

Dilute and massage 1-2 drops into the area of concern up to 1-2 times a day. Consider layering with Frankincense, White Fir, or a pain-relieving blend.

Appetite (increase)

Dilute and massage 1 drop over the abdomen as desired, or use aromatically several times a day.

Cellular Oxygenation

Diffuse throughout the room, or use in other aromatic ways to increase oxygen to the brain.

Chills

Dilute 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil and massage into the soles of the feet as needed.

Circulation (increase)

Dilute and massage over the area of concern, or use aromatically to increase oxygen to the brain.

Colds

Dilute 1-2 drops and massage into the soles of the feet or over any area of concern.

Constipation

Dilute 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil and massage in a clockwise rotation over the abdomen.

Cough

Diffuse throughout the room, massage 1-2 diluted drops over the chest and throat, or consider gargling in several ounces of water.

Diarrhea

Dilute 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil and massage in a counter-clockwise rotation over the abdomen.

Digestive Support (General)

Dilute 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil and massage in a clockwise rotation over the abdomen as desired.

Emotional Support

Diffuse, or dilute 1 drop and rub over the heart center as desired.

Energy

Consider massaging 1-2 drops into the soles of the feet daily, or diffusing as needed.

Flatulence (Gas)

Use 1-2 drops of black pepper and massage in a clockwise rotation over the abdomen.

Flu

Massage 1-2 drops of essential oil into the reflex points of the feet 1-3 times a day. Also look into an immune boosting blend.

Honesty (emotions)

Black Pepper essential oil reveals the masks and facades used to hide aspects of the Self. It invites individuals to “get real” by digging deep within. It addresses the emotions of emotional dishonesty, feeling trapped, prideful, superficial and judgmental. Use aromatically, such as diffusing or massaging over the heart center as needed.

Immune System

Use as indicated when you’re not feeling well, or massage a diluted mixture into the soles of the feet daily as desired.

Neuralgia

Dilute 1 drop of oil with several drops of carrier oil and gently massage over the area of concern.

Peritonsillar abscess

Consider gargling with 1 drop of black pepper and 1 drop of lemon or an immunity blend several times a day.

Stroke

Diffuse throughout the room, or use in other aromatic ways to increase oxygen to the brain.

Superficiality

Consider using aromatically during a journaling process. Massage 1 drop over the heart center (dilute for sensitive skin).

Toothache

Dilute with raw coconut oil (start with 1 drop to a teaspoon or more of coconut oil) and apply a small dab to the area. Also consider using Clove for its numbing effects.

Vertigo

Add 1 drop to the palms of your hand, cup over the nose and mouth, and breathe slowly for 30 seconds or more.

Viral Infections

Massage 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil over the area of concern as desired (dilute for sensitive skin) or massage into the reflex points of the feet.

Vomiting

Massage 1-2 drops over the abdomen, into the reflex points of the feet, or inhale from the bottle as needed.

Warming

Dilute 1-2 drops of black pepper essential oil and massage into the soles of the feet as needed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95B80xACSA4

Precaution

There is nothing to be inherently scared of when it comes to black pepper essential oil, except that if taken in large quantities, it may cause uneasiness, unrest, vomiting, loose motions, irritation and inflammation of the intestines, sleeplessness, overheating, and smelling strongly of pepper. However, there is nothing serious about these symptoms. With that being said, keep pepper away from the eyes and nose, as it may cause irritation, sneezing, and burning of the eyes.

Blending

Black pepper essential oil can be blended with Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Sage, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Ylang-Ylang, Juniper, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Clove, Ginger, Geranium, Coriander, Grapefruit, Fennel and Frankincense oils.