Botanical Overview
Piper nigrum, commonly known as black pepper or pepper, is a member of the Piperaceae family. Its fruit and seed are primarily used medicinally and culinarily. Native to South and Southeast Asia, especially India, black pepper is one of the most widely used spices worldwide.
Common names include Black pepper and Pepper.
Energetics
Black pepper is considered warming and drying in nature. It has a pungent and bitter taste, with ascending and outward directionality. The herb is tonifying and supports the qi.
Primary Actions
- Stimulant
- Carminative
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimicrobial
- Digestive tonic
Indications
Western
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Common cold
- Cough
- Rheumatism
Syndromes
- Poor digestion
- Respiratory congestion
- Inflammation
TCM
- Coldness of the stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Cold limbs
Syndromes
- Spleen Yang deficiency
- Cold in the stomach
- Qi stagnation
Ayurveda
- Indigestion
- Coldness
- Excess mucus
Syndromes
- Kapha disorders
- Vata imbalance
- Poor digestive fire (Agni)
Unani
- Flatulence
- Coldness
- Headache
Syndromes
- Cold dystemperament
- Weak digestion
Constituents & Mechanisms
Key phytochemicals include piperine, essential oils, alkaloids, and resins. Piperine is primarily responsible for black pepper’s pungency and pharmacological effects, including enhancement of bioavailability of other drugs and herbs.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powdered fruit 0.5-1 g 1-3 times daily
- Tincture 1:5 40% ethanol, 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
- Infusion of crushed seeds, 1-2 g per cup, 1-3 times daily
Safety & Contraindications
Black pepper is generally safe when used culinarily or in recommended medicinal doses. It may cause gastrointestinal irritation or exacerbate ulcers and reflux. High medicinal doses are not recommended during pregnancy. It may interact with anticoagulant, antihypertensive, and cytochrome P450-metabolized drugs.
Astrological Correspondences
No clear or reliably sourced astrological planetary or elemental rulers were identified for Piper nigrum.
Selected References
- Medicinal Plants of India – Piper nigrum Linn. – Black Pepper, 2023
- WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 2: Piper nigrum, 1999
- Phytotherapy: A Quick Reference to Herbal Medicine, Brigitte Mars, 2010
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Dan Bensky et al., 2004
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH, 2001