In ancient times, Black Pepper was much more than a culinary spice

A Healing Spice Guide

Black Pepper is the fourth spice to feature in my new Healing Spice Guide. 

Black Pepper is said to have originated in India thousands of years ago. It is native to Malabar, a tropical region on the Western Coast of Southern India.

Black Pepper fruits, or peppercorns, begin life as clusters of green kernels, hanging down from stems like strings of tiny pearls. The fruits mature and ripen naturally in tropical climates on a flowering vine called Piper Nigrum, a member of the Piperaceae family. These wide-leaf vines are grown in nearly every tropical region including India, Vietnam, Brazil, China and Indonesia.

Black Pepper was once known as Black Gold - a commodity of great value, bought and sold along ancient trade routes and the Silk Road. It was as much prized for its cleansing and food preservation qualities as it was for its culinary flavouring and healing properties recorded in folklore medicine. It is recognised as a good source of manganese, a mineral known to support bone health, wound healing and metabolism. 

Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, enjoys a climate that was (and still is) optimal for plant growth. A twin monsoon washes the vine and pollinates the plants, encouraging high-quality fruit to flourish. The tenacious vines wind their way up to the sky in search for sunlight, climbing whichever tree or stick that gets them closer. The best of the fruits are typically at great heights, and thus, Black Pepper is only harvested by men in Kerala. Iona Brannon - The Spice that Changed the World.

In tandem with Sea Salt, which contains minerals that enhance the flavour of food, Black Pepper changes the flavour of food, adding depth with a subtle bite of spice. The best way to enjoy this sensational flavour is to use a good quality Pepper Mill that cracks whole peppercorns to release all the flavour as a garnish on your food. The taste of freshly cracked Black Pepper is more vibrant and powerful than pre-ground or finely ground pepper.

I hope you enjoy discovering the cleansing and healing benefits of Black Pepper - a wonderful addition to healing herbal teas, remedies and culinary dishes for your general good health, nourishment and wellbeing.

Folklore

Over the centuries, Black Pepper has been instrumental in changing the culinary world. Its earthy and mild spicy flavour comes from a crystalline alkaloid ingredient called piperine, 

In medieval Europe, Black Pepper was used as a form of currency and was a status symbol for the wealthy. It was often given as a gift or served at banquets with storehouses in Venice and Genoa stocked to the eaves to accommodate global trade and local consumption. Dried peppercorns were stored with great care to preserve their quality and flavour with merchants using tight rods, crates and spice boxes to protect them during storage and transport.

In folklore, Black Pepper was used to protect against the evil eye and wearing a peppercorn was said to free one of jealous thoughts. In spells and charms, Black Pepper was used to banish negativity and provide protection.

Black Pepper was burned before smudging the home with Sage and this is still practised today to remove negative energies and increase the frequency of the environment. The Black Pepper makes way for the Sage to soothe and deeply cleanse the environment. In the 1840s, the word pepper related to spirit or energy which became the slang word, pep, meaning a person full of spirit and energy.

Black Pepper Essential Oil has been used for centuries in massage oils to cleanse the skin and calm the body. This served to increase endurance, stamina and flexibility. In tropical areas, Ground Peppercorns were added to tobacco and smoked to ease pain caused by throat inflammation.

Nutrition

Black Pepper stimulates the taste buds, sending a message to the stomach to increase the release of hydrochloric acid which improves the digestion of proteins and other food components. By increasing digestive activity, the ingredients in Black Pepper ensure that food is properly broken down before arriving in the intestines. This is important because any undigested food can cause unwanted bacterial growth leading to constipation or diarrhea.

Black Pepper provides a heathy addition to every meal as it helps to stimulate the breakdown of fat cells and prevent atherosclerosis which is when a buildup of plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. Or, when plaque is allowed to build up, it can burst, creating a blood clot.

The essential ingredient in Black Pepper is piperine which is known to increase the absorption of selenium, vitamin B12, beta-carotene, curcumin and other nutritional compounds. Levels of selenium, B6 and beta-carotene are significantly increased in the blood by almost sixty percent while using Black Pepper. This improves the body’s ability to hold onto, and make better use of, important compounds for improving immunity and overall health.

The potassium in Black Pepper aids digestion and the outer layer of the peppercorns aids the break-down of fat cells.

Remedies

The word pepper is dervied from the South Asian word pippali meaning long pepper. It is a famous herb in the 2,000 year old Indian tradition of Ayurveda, a beloved kitchen spice that stokes digestive fire or agni and melts away sluggishness. The sharp, pungent taste makes it a cardiac stimulant - increasing heart rate and warming the body. It also improves circulation by widening blood vessels due to the relaxation of the blood vessel's muscular walls.

The spiciness of pepper is due to the constituent piperine. Once the berries are dried, Pepper Spirit and Essesntial Oil are extracted from the berries by crushing them. Pepper Spirit is used medicinally and in beauty products. Pepper Essential Oil is used in Ayurvedic Medicine as a massage oil. It was one of a few medicines a Buddhist monk was allowed to carry.

A few drops of Black Pepper Essential Oil combined with organic carrier oil, has a warming effect on the skin which makes it ideal for arthritis, cramps and muscle ache. This also helps to relieve sore, tired muscles by relaxing and soothing them. The warming effect of this massage oil helps to ease cramps, sprains and pulled muscles.

Black Pepper Essential Oil contains both vitamin A and K, making it an ideal choice for adding to organic carrier oils to treat fine lines or wrinkles. This can also be used to improve circulation and to effectively reduce visible cellulite.

Recipes

Black Pepper is extremely versatile and easy to add to everyday home cooking. Freshly cracked peppercorns come in various colours and flavours to enhance many a dish (sweet and savoury). The earthy kick from the pipeines and terpenes that stimulate tastes buds and saliva production, contrasts exceptionally well with egg dishes, heavy cream-based sauces and practically any savoury dish you can think of.

Simple Pasta

Enjoy freshly cooked pasta (preferably homemade) by coating in organic cold pressed virgin Olive Oil and fresh Lemon juice with a generous layer of Italian Parmesan Cheese sprinked with real Sea Salt and freshly cracked Black Pepper.

Morning Coffee

Add a pinch of cracked Black Pepper to a golden Milk Latte with Tumeric for a spicy drink with health benefits. Enjoy hot or iced. Try a recipe for a Tumeric Latte published by Eating Well.

Spicy Salad

Black Pepper (together with real Sea Salt) is a perfect addition to bring out the flavour of leafy greens and salad vegetables. Especially good for recipes like Caesar salad served with Parmesan Cheese or Wild Salmon served with Hollandaise Sauce and fresh Dill, where the bold, earthy flavour of the Black Pepper, pairs perfectly with the creamy dressings.

SOURCE: Eating Well - What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Black Pepper Every Day