Black pepper | vital.ly

Black pepper

Scientific names: Piper nigrum

Family: Piperaceae

Alternate names: Black Peppercorn, Extrait de Poivre, Grain de Poivre, Hu Jiao, Kali Mirchi, Kosho, Marich, Maricha, Miris, Peber, Peper, Pepe, Peppar, Pepper, Pepper Extract, Peppercorn, Pfeffer, Pimenta, Pimienta, Pimienta Negra, Pipar, Piper, Piperine, Pippuri, Poivre, Poivre Noir, Poivrier, Vellaja

Actions: Analgesic, Antiamebic activity, Anti-asthma, Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Antiseizure, Bladder, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Chemotherapy protective, Coagulation, Cytochrome P450 inhibitory, Dermatological, Drug absorption, Fertility, Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, Hormonal, Hypotensive, Immune, Insecticidal, Lipid, Neurological, Oxygen utilization, Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation-protective

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Scientific names: Piper nigrum

Family: Piperaceae

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Background

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is one of the most commonly used spices in the world. It contains a chemical called piperine, which seems to kill bacteria.

Piperine might also kill fungi and parasites, and help the body absorb some drugs. Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same plant species, but they are made differently. Black pepper is made by cooking the dried unripe fruit. White pepper is made by cooking and drying the ripe seeds.

People take black pepper by mouth for hay fever, asthma, upset stomach, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Black pepper is commonly eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if using larger amounts of black pepper as a medicine is safe.

When applied to the skin: Black pepper oil is possibly safe. It's usually well-tolerated, but if it gets into the eyes it can burn. Some people might develop an allergy to black pepper.

When inhaled: Black pepper oil is possibly safe when used short-term. It might have a burning aftertaste and might upset the stomach. It might also cause cough.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: Black pepper is commonly eaten in foods. But it is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in large amounts during pregnancy. It might cause an abortion. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if applying black pepper to the skin is safe or what the side effects might be.

Breast-feeding: Black pepper is commonly eaten in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if black pepper is safe when used as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Black pepper is likely safe when eaten in foods. It is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth in large amounts. Deaths in children have been reported from large amounts of black pepper accidentally entering the lungs. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if applying black pepper oil to the skin is safe for children.

Bleeding conditions: Piperine, a chemical in black pepper, might slow blood clotting. Taking black pepper in amounts greater than those in food might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.

Surgery: Taking black pepper in amounts greater than those in food might cause bleeding complications or affect blood sugar levels during surgery. Don't take black pepper in amounts greater than those in food 2 weeks before surgery.

Effectiveness

Effective Effectiveness definitions

There is interest in using black pepper for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Dosing & administration

Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices in the world and is regularly eaten in foods. But as medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of black pepper might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

Black pepper essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy. The oil is typically inhaled by adults for 1-2 minutes at a time.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Black pepper might increase levels of amoxicillin in the blood. Taking black pepper with amoxicillin might increase the effects and side effects of amoxicillin. But it's not clear if this is a big concern.