White pepper | vital.ly

White pepper

Scientific names: Piper nigrum

Family: Piperaceae

Alternate names: Baichuan, Blanc Poivre, Guyue, Peber, Peper, Pepe, Peppar, Pepper, Pepper Extract, Peppercorn, Pfeffer, Pimienta Blanca, Pipar, Piper, Piperine, Pippuri, Poivre, Poivre Blanc, Poivrier, Weißer Pfeffer

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, Fertility, Gastrointestinal, Hepatic, Hormonal, Hypotensive, Immune, Insecticidal, Lipid, Neurological, Oxygen utilization, Respiratory

Scientific names: Piper nigrum

Family: Piperaceae

Background

White pepper grows in tropical Asian countries. Black pepper and white pepper both come from the same plant. But they are prepared differently. Black pepper is made by cooking the dried unripe fruit. White pepper is made by cooking and drying the ripe seeds.

People take white pepper by mouth to treat upset stomach, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

White pepper is added to foods and drinks to add flavor.

White pepper essential oil is used in aromatherapy.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken in amounts commonly found in foods.

White pepper is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken appropriately as medicine. White pepper might cause an allergic reaction in some patients, although this is rare. White pepper might also cause a burning aftertaste. Piperine, a component of white pepper, has been reported to cause fast heart rate, nausea, headache, coughing, sneezing, and runny nose when used as a nasal spray.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking white pepper as medicine or applying white pepper oil to the skin is safe while pregnant. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Breast-feeding: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking white pepper as medicine is safe while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: White pepper is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in large amounts. Deaths have been reported in children.

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

Diabetes: White pepper might affect blood sugar levels. In theory, taking white pepper in amounts greater than those in food might affect blood sugar control in people with diabetes. Dosing adjustments for diabetes medications might be needed.

Surgery: Piperine, a chemical in white pepper, might slow blood clotting and affect blood sugar levels. In theory, white pepper might cause bleeding complications or affect blood sugar levels during surgery. You should stop taking white pepper in amounts greater than those in food at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Effectiveness

NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions

Diarrhea.
Cancer.
A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea (cholera).
Malaria.
Pain.
Upset stomach.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate white pepper for these uses.

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of white pepper depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for white pepper (in children/in adults). 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

White pepper contains a chemical called piperine. Piperine might increase levels of amoxicillin in the blood. In theory, taking white pepper with amoxicillin might increase the effects and side effects of amoxicillin. However, there is not enough known about this potential interaction to know if it is a big concern.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

White pepper might increase the amount of carbamazepine (Tegretol) absorbed by the body. It might also decrease how quickly the body breaks down and gets rid of carbamazepine. This could increase how much carbamazepine is in the body and potentially increase the chance of side effects. However, there is not enough known about this potential interaction to know if it is a big concern.

Cefotaxime (Claforan)

Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.

White pepper contains a chemical called piperine. Piperine might increase levels of cefotaxime in the blood. In theory, taking white pepper with cefotaxime might increase the effects and side effects of cefotaxime. However, there is not enough known about this potential interaction to know if it is a big concern.