Black Pepper Monograph

Black Pepper

Botanical Name
Piper nigrum

Synonyms
Pepper

Botanical Family
Piperaceae

Method of Extraction
Steam distilled, dried, nearly ripe peppercorn

Characteristics
Clear to pale greenish color with fresh, pepper-like, woody, spicy odor

Description & Area Grown

Perennial vines growing 15 ft with hanging fruits from spikes. Cultivated for essential oil
production in India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Main Chemical Components (considerable variation)

Monoterpenes (limonene) 0–40%
Sesquiterpenes (β−caryophyllene) 9–29%
Ketones 1–8%

Main Therapeutic Properties

Analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge,
rubefacient; may also be helpful for smoking withdrawal

Safety Considerations
Non-irritating, non-sensitizing; oxidized oil increases risk of skin irritation

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