Black Pepper usage, dosage, side-effects, and US places to buy.

Black Pepper Scientific Name

Piper nigrum

Black Pepper Other Names

English: Peppercorn, Madgascar Pepper
Hindi: Kalimirch, Maricha, Vellaja
Sanskrit: Marichum

What is Black Pepper?

Black Pepper is obtained from the same plant as white pepper. The color of the seeds depend up on the level of ripeness at the time of harvesting. The piperine content of the plant gives it a pungent taste. This herb belongs to the Piperaceae family.

Traditionally, in Ayurveda black pepper is used in combination of other herbs and medicines, as a bioavailability enhancer, to increase the absorption of the active components into the cells of the right organs. Black Pepper is a potent anti-oxidant and a powerful cleanser that helps the body in getting rid of toxins and impurities. It also promotes healing and stimulates healthy organ function.

Common forms of Black Pepper

Fine powder, Coarsely ground powder, Whole black pepper seeds.

Black Pepper is commonly used for:

Treating cough, cold
Treating bloating and abdominal pain
Treating heart trouble
Managing asthma
Treating congestion and sinusitis
Improving liver function
De-toxifying
Treating recurrent fever
Fighting cancer
Aiding weight-loss
Poor Circulation
Nausea and Vomiting

Black Pepper Dosage

Powder: 250mg to 2gm in divided doses per day.

Black Pepper Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: High doses can cause burning aftertaste and heartburn.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant women: Avoid therapeutic doses as it can induce abortion.
Children: Safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. However, lower doses are advisable.
Warnings:
Large doses of black pepper powder by mouth may get into lungs causing accidental death.

Where to Buy Black Pepper in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Black Pepper

Black Pepper (Kalimirch)