Black Pepper is known as king of spices. It is a spice which is well known all over the world. Pepper is present in our kitchen and is used almost every day in food preparation. In term of international trade of spices, black pepper is highest among all other spices. It is used for variety of purposes.
Black pepper is prescribed as an effective cure for indigestion, fever, delirium (acute confusional state), piles etc. You may be wondering how much black pepper to take in a day for using this condiment for medicinal purpose. The standard dosage of black pepper is approximately 500 mg to 1g, eaten twice and thrice a day.
Latin name: Piper nigrum Linn
Family: Piperaceae
English: Black Pepper
Ayurvedic: Maricha, Vellaja, Uushna, Suvrrita, Krishnaa
Unani: Filfil Siyaah, Safed
Siddha/Tamil: Milagu, Milaguver (root)
Habitat: Native of the Indo-Malaysian region; cultivated in Western Ghats, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam and Kerala
Recipe of Pepper tea
- Boil a cup of water on stove.
- Add black pepper powder ¼ -1/2 teaspoon in this boiling water.
- You may also add ginger juice (optional).
- Boil for 2-3 minutes.
- Steep for few minutes.
- Add honey and drink as tea twice or thrice a day.
Benefits of Pepper tea
- Antioxidant, reduces free radicals
- Gives relief in symptom of cold, cough, respiratory problems and fever
- Relieves pain during menstruation
- Good for improving digestion, appetite and digestive system problems such as gas, diarrhoea
- Increases bile acid secretion from liver and saliva production
Caution while taking Black pepper
Individual having pitta prakrati should take pepper cautiously as it increases pitta inside body.
Persons suffering from ulcers, inflammatory condition of digestive organ, urticaria, skin rash, and high pitta should avoid black pepper use as it can aggravate the problems.