Black Pepper Essential Oil Its Uses And What It Is
Black Pepper Essential Oil is taken from the Piper Nigrum pepper plant. Notable is that there are in excess of 2,000 species in the pepper family piperaceae, though very few are suitable for medicinal or therapeutic use, so be sure you are using Piper Nigrum. It was used by the Egyptians in the mummification process, though the useful properties go far beyond that. This essential oil is a good anti-oxidant with anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties to name just a few. You can discover about Black Pepper Essential Oil Uses lower down this page.
Plant
The plant is native to Southern India, though is now found widely throughout Asia. Currently Vietnam is the worlds largest producer of Black Pepper, accounting for around 34% of annual worldwide production.
Essential Oil Characteristics
The essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from the peppercorns themselves. It is clear and colourless or slightly yellowish, with a thin consistency. The perfumery characteristic is a middle note, which is crisp and fresh in nature as would be expected of peppercorns.
Constituents
The main constituents that give the essential oil the qualities it is used for are Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, Phellendrene, Beta-caryphyllene, Beta-bisbolene, Sabinene, Linalol, Pinocarveol, Terpineol, Camphene and Terpene.
Safety Note For Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black pepper oil is a strong stimulant especially in relation to kidney activity. Care should be taken when using it especially around the kidneys, maximum 1% solution in that area. If used excessively it can lead to kidney damage.
Antioxidative properties and inhibition of key enzymes relevant to type-2 diabetes and hypertension by essential oils from black pepper.
"The essential oil inhibited α -amylase, α -glucosidase, and ACE enzyme activities in concentration-dependent manners, though exhibiting a stronger inhibition of α -glucosidase than α -amylase activities. Conclusively, the phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of α -amylase, α -glucosidase, and angiotensin-1 converting enzyme activities by the essential oil extract of black pepper could be part of the mechanism by which the essential oil could manage and/or prevent type-2 diabetes and hypertension."
Oboh G, Ademosun AO, Odubanjo OV, Akinbola IA.
Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2013;2013:926047. doi: 10.1155/2013/926047. Epub 2013 Nov 21.
Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24348547
Black Pepper Essential Oil Uses
Black Pepper essential oil is a good stimulant with many applications and uses. It has also been noted to aid with fevers and various issues of the digestive tract for which its antispasmodic and carmnative properties can be very useful. As a cautionary note, there is a fine line between it being a stimulant and an irritatant, as such care should be taken in terms of the amounts in which it is used.
The Specific Effects Of Black Pepper Essential Oil
Analgesic
Anti-Fungal
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antitoxic
Aphrodisiac
Anti-Catarrhal
Anti-Inflammatory
Antiseptic
Diaphoretic
Digestive
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Laxative
Rubefacient
Stimulant (nervous, Digestive And Circulatory)
Tonic (especially Of The Spleen)
Warming
Black Pepper is a strong stimulant, something which should be noted carefully in connection with its usage. This is especially noteworthy in connection with the kidneys. Excessive use of this oil can lead to kidney damage. As such it should be used in small doses only, around 1 drop in any mix for use in massage or aroma work.
Conditions That It Helps With
Arthritis And Rheumatism
Boosts Metabolism
Chills
Colds
Digestive Problems (Diarrhea, Heartburn, Nausea, Flatulence, Indigestion, Colic)
Encourages Peristalsis
Exhaustion And Fatigue
Fevers And Viral Infections (e.g. Flu, Dysentery)
Fungal Infections
Increases Circulation
Increases The Flow Of Saliva & Stimulates Appetite
Muscular Stiffness, Fatigue And Pain
Nerve Tonic
Physical And Emotional Coldness
Stimulates Endocrine System
Tones The Colon Muscles
Toothache
Vertigo
Vomiting
The warming and stimulant nature are especially useful in the case of arthritis and rheumatism. The two apects of its nature combining and bringing relief through improving circulation to the areas that need it most, especially when applied topically as part of a blend with a carrier oil. Its anti-inflammatory nature also helps in this case too. Care should be taken in terms of dosage though, especially due to its effect on the kidneys.
Notable Points On The Uses Of Black Pepper Essential Oil
The biggest point as has been mentioned numerous times is the dosage. Whatever you are doing for yourself therapeutically the maximum you should be using in any blend is 1%, and never should Black Pepper essential oil be used directly, i.e. it should always be diluted in a carrier oil as a minimum. Anything higher and there is a strong risk of the Kidneys being over-stimulated and damaged, plus of skin irritation. Keep the dosage below 1% to ensure your kidneys stay healthy.
Cautions aside their are wonderful and highly beneficial uses of Black Pepper essential oil, it can stimulate blood flow when used in small doses. Helping to ease muscular aches and pains, and is especially good for athletes and dancers in this respect. It raises activity in Kidneys which are underperforming, and helps with the stimulation of red blood cell production in the spleen. It can be a very good oil when used properly. Discover more on other wonderful essential oils and where to buy good quality Black Pepper essential oil.