Botanical Name : Piper Nigrum
English/Common Name : Black Pepper
Ayurvedic Name : Kali Mirch
Family : Piperaceae
Other Names : Black pepper, Pepper, White pepper, Green peppercorns, Maricha, Gulmirch
Part Used : Fruits
The black pepper is produced by a woody, Broad-leaved evergreen vine that is cultivated today in many tropical lands, from India, Indonesia, and Malaysia to South America and the West Indies. The stout vine, which is allowed to climb poles or small trees in cultivation, bears many slender, densely packed flower spikes. The fruits that develop upon these spikes are generally harvested while still green; the signal is the reddening of the lowest fruits on a spike. The green fruits are dried until the flesh around the single hard seed is wrinkled and grayish black, then ground into black pepper or packaged and sold as whole peppercorns. The milder white pepper is made from the same plant; but the fruits are allowed to ripen, and the flesh is removed before the seeds are ground.
Black pepper's aromatic, slightly musty odor comes from the volatile oils found largely in the flesh and skin; Black Pepper's pungent bite comes from the Alkaloids-piperine and Piperidine-and resins found mostly in the seeds. The oils go into perfumes and flavorings.
Kalimirch in Blood Cleaner
Kalimirch in Digestive Care
Pepper has long been recognized as an ingredient for stimulating the appetite as well as an aid in the relief of nausea. In India Black Pepper had been used as a medicine for variety of ailments from paralysis to toothache. East Africans are believe that body odor produced after eating substantial amounts of pepper repels mosquitoes.
A Philippine folk remedy calls for a generous pinch of black pepper and an equivalent amount of anise to be combined to 1 cup of brandy. Warm it over low heat (Do not boil.). Slowly sip small amount of this while still warm. Retain in the mouth for 45 seconds before swallowing. This helps to reduce elevated body temperature due to fever.
Black pepper is used in liniments and gargles; They have been used as carminatives, reducing stomach and intestinal gas; and they have been found to stimulate the activity of the heart and kidneys. Piperine is also an effective insecticide against houseflies, and gardeners use pepper sprays against several kinds of pests.
Ayurvedic Applications : Stimulant, Expectorant, Carminative, Antipyretic, Anthelmintic, Antiperiodic, Externally-rubefacient, Stimulant, Resolvent
Uses: Asthma, Chronic indigestion, Colon toxins, Obesity, sinus congestion, Fever, intermittent fever, Cold extremities, Colic, Cooking spice, Cholera, Gastric ailments, Gas, Diarrhea, Hemorrhoids, Worms, Sore throat.
Externally: Applied as a paste to boils, Skin diseases.
Caution : According to Ayurveda, Herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other.
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
