One of the most widely traded and used spices, Black Pepper, is a vine from the Piperaceae family. The vine produces precious tiny cornlike fruit called “Peppercorn,” which has been used since antiquity.
The dried fruit from the Pepper vine is an excellent spice with diverse use in culinary, medicine, cosmetics, and essential oil production. The essential oil from Black Pepper is one of the most valued oils in the industry, with numerous benefits.
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What Is Black Pepper Essential Oil?
Black Pepper Essential oil is a clear, thin liquid with a strong fragrance. It smells crisp, fresh, and somewhat peppery with a floral tone. This highly valued essential oil is extracted from dried Peppercorns via steam distillation. The low-yield Peppercorn contains only 3% oil.
Black Pepper and essential oil have long been used as medicine since antiquity. The application as spice comes later part of history. In the modern world, the essential oil has wide use in cosmetics, perfumery, medication, and food sectors.
Origin And Cultivation of Black Pepper Essential Oil
The first record of black pepper has found in 3000 years old Sanskrit text. The widely cultivated vine first emerged from Southeast Asia and is considered a condiment. It was one of the core articles of ancient trade between Europe and Asia. Sometimes it is used as a medium of Exchange between the.
In the Middle age, Venetians and the Genoese were the sole spice distributors. After the colonial expansion in Asia, Europeans disperse the cultivation to Indonesia and as far as tropical Africa.
The vine grows well in a tropical climate with fertile soil, good drainage, and adequate rainfall. The vine reaches up to 10m and matures after 2-5 years. A mature vine produces flowers with slender spikes with 50 blossoms each. A vine can live and yield as long as 40 years.
Vietnam is the top producer of Black Pepper, about 34% of global production. Indonesia stands in Second, and India is in the Third position. Singapore, India, and Malaysia are the major player in Black Pepper Essential oil extraction.
Nutritional Value of Black Pepper Essential Oil
Research on essential oil extracted from four types of black pepper in Kerala, India, reveals 55 types of chemicals. The percentage of the chemicals is variable; in some variants, some chemicals are absent, and not all significantly impact the human body. There are five major and some minor chemicals we want to discuss here. The following discussion may give you an overall idea of the nutritional value of Black Pepper Essential oil.
One of the abundant constituents in Black Pepper Essential oil is sabinene (11.2-22.6%). It has numerous functions in the human body, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antifungal properties.
It is also rich in limonene (12.7-23.8%) which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and gastroprotective effects on the human body. It has uses in treating obesity, cancer, bronchitis, etc.
You can get plenty of β-caryophyllene (8.9-24.1%) in Black Pepper Essential oil, well known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. It can reduce anxiety and pain, prevent Osteoporosis, and decrease cholesterol.
A substantial amount of myrcene (0-18.6%) is present in the oil. It is well renowned for destroying cancer cells, reducing the risk of tumors, and having anti-inflammatory and sedating properties. However, not all black pepper essential oil variants contain this beneficial compound.
The last high-yielding constituent in the oil is β-pinene (7.5-15.4%) is best for bronchodilatory functions to ease breathing problems and respiratory functions. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory properties and can relieve pain and anxiety.
You may find a limited amount of Phellandrene, which can reduce pain, treat cancer, and increase energy levels.
The moderate level of a-Terpineol in Black Pepper Essential oil is an antioxidant, including anticancer, antiulcer, antihypertensive, etc., properties.
Linalol Pinocarveolis, Camphene, and a-Terpenene are the core sources of fragrance and distinctive odor of Black Pepper Essential oil. Besides, all of them have other benefits like antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, etc. properties.
Features of Black Pepper Essential Oil
| Serial | Features | Description |
| 01 | Botanical Name | Piper nigrum |
| 02 | Plant Family | Piperaceae |
| 03 | Common Method of Extraction | Steam Distillation |
| 04 | Plant Part Typically Used | Peppercorns |
| 05 | Color | Clear |
| 06 | Consistency | Thin |
| 07 | Perfumery Note | Middle |
| 08 | Strength of Initial Aroma | Medium |
| 09 | Aromatic Description | It smells crisp, fresh, and somewhat peppery with a floral tone. |
| 10 | Major Constituents | sabinene (11.2-22.6%), β-pinene (7.5-15.4%), limonene (12.7-23.8%), myrcene (5.8-18.6%), β-caryophyllene (8.9-24.1%), Phellandrene, B-bisabolene, Linalol Pinocarveol, a-Terpineol, Camphene, a-Terpenene, etc. |
Alternatives to Black Pepper Essential Oil:
Black Pepper essential oil is comparatively safe and beneficial. In rare cases, the oil may provide you with some health difficulties, or you can not acquire the oil, but if you need something similar, you can always find a few substitutes. This part will discuss a few substitutes for black pepper essential oil.
For an anti-inflammatory effect and to soothe the pain, you can use Rosemary oil. It has a similar effect against inflammation and pain. Pepper and Termaric essential oil can give you an almost similar effect.
Ginger oil can be an alternative for digestion difficulties and other stomach-related problems. It can give you convincingly closer results to Black Pepper oil.
Suppose you need some oils with detoxifying effects like Black Pepper Essential oil; you can choose one from Myrtle, Lemon, or Frankincense. All of them have similar detoxifying effects.
Health Benefits of Black Pepper Essential Oil
We value different kinds of essential oil for their numerous benefits. You can consider Black Pepper Essential oil one of the most diverse based on uses and benefits. Some constituents in the oil have astonishing effects on our bodies. It can improve the condition of our health and relief us from certain kinds of diseases and health problems. The following passage will highlight Black Pepper Essential Oil’s diverse uses and benefits.
1. Skin Treatment
Black Pepper essential oil is the best for your skin. A high level of antioxidants in the oil prevents forming of free radicals, which can cause early aging and other skin-related diseases. An adequate amount of Sabinene in the oil can reduce skin inflammation and cure dermatophytosis. It helps to improve your circulation, enhance the regeneration of skin cells, and boost collagen formation. All these properties are crucial for keeping skin-related problems at bay.
2. Manage Anxiety and Stress
A large part of essential oil is good for managing anxiety and stress. Black Pepper Essential oil is no exception, but better. The compounds such as β-pinene, β-caryophyllene, Myrcene, etc., in the essential oil, have a soothing effect on your nerve. They can reduce stress by calming the nerve, relaxing the muscle, and restoring emotional balance. Moreover, the components can improve your mood excellently.
3. Pain Relief
This oil has potent anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties. It can reduce joint and muscular pains and works well against arthritis. The Black Pepper Essential oil components, such as Β-caryophyllene and β-pinene, directly impact anxiety and pain. You can massage the oil in the affected area to eradicate pain effectively.
4. Managing Blood Pressure
For the patient with Hypertension, Black Peeper Essential oil is a blessing. Internal Black Pepper Essential oil doses can improve circulation and reduce blood pressure. The oil contains a-Terpineol, which has a direct effect on lowering blood pressure. Alongside improving circulation, it can control cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart-related diseases. Mix the oil with cinnamon or turmeric essential oil to enhance the impact.
5. Anticancer Activity
The oil contains several constituents, such as Myrcene, limonene, Sabinene, etc., that directly impact cancer cells. They can halt the proliferation of cancer cells. This oil can be an herbal solution to the early stages of cancer alongside regular medication.
6. Controls Cholesterol
It is clinically proven that Black Pepper essential oil decreases cholesterol. It can free fatty acids, phospholipids, and triglycerides to give the body energy. Additionally, it elevates the concentration of high-density lipoprotein or good cholesterol. Still, it reduces the concentration of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol. It will give you a healthy and widened artery and save you from several cardiovascular diseases.
7. Detoxification
Some components in the oil have bio-transformative’ effects on the human body. They help manage blood pressure, enhance glucose tolerance, reduce inflammation, and improve circulation to flush out toxic accumulation via urine and sweat. Ultimately, they help you lose weight and improve the function of your liver.
8. Digestive Health
Black Pepper Essential oil is an excellent aid to your stomach and digestion-related problems. It can stimulate your digestion by secreting digestive juices properly. As a gastroprotective compound, limonene in the oil can relieve you from different gastric-associated problems. Besides, the antiulcer properties of a-Terpineol in the oil can also soothe digestion disorders.
9. Antibacterial properties
The resistance of bacteria against traditional antibiotics is more frequent than ever. A few Black Pepper Essential oil constituents have remarkable anti-virulence properties against those divergent bacteria. It has given medical science new hope against those strains of bacteria.
10. As a Food Preservative
Black pepper ground has long been used as a food preserver, along with salt and other spices. Black Pepper Essential oil can do the same job more efficiently due to the high concentration of antimicrobial constituents such as Limonene and Sabinene. They will prevent the growth of several bacteria and fungi in your food and give them a longer shelf life. Black Pepper Essential oil is one of the best food preservers to prevent food poisoning.
11. Perfumery
Black Pepper essential oil has some particular uses in perfumery due to the presence of solid aromatic compounds such as Linalol Pinocarveolis, Camphene, a-Terpenene, etc. Aromatically the oil covers the middle note and goes very well with chypre, woody, and oriental notes to give some depth to the composition. It can also elevate the top note and give the perfume a warm spicy side.
How to Use Black Pepper Essential Oil
There are dozens of ways to use black pepper essential oil. The benefits of the oil mainly depend on the way you use the oil. Inappropriate use may cause harm instead of benefits. We will discuss the most significant few to give you an overall idea of using the oil.
Massage
Massaging the oil is the most convenient and effective way to use it. The pain-killing properties of the oil can be used by massaging it on the area or joints of pain. Mixing it with a carrier oil like grapeseed, jojoba, coconut, and apricot kernel oils can make a more potent blend. The massage blend can reduce pain and improve your circulation.
Aromatherapy
This excellently fragrant oil is a better choice for blending oil in aromatherapy. You can diffuse the blend through a humidifier and enjoy the aroma, along with the reduction of stress and anxiety.
Inhale
Unlike some other essential oil Black Pepper essential oil is safe to inhale. You can inhale the oil directly from the bottle if you have a respiratory problem, cold, cough, etc. For more effect, a few drops in hot water can help you breathe well and relieve you from stress, anxiety, and diverse respiratory problems.
In The Food
Black Pepper is among the few essential oils you can consume orally without many side effects. You have to be careful about the doses because a higher level of consumption can be harmful. You can add a few drops of oil to your recipe for a unique flavor. Add 1-2 drops to your meal to bring a distinctive taste.
Precautions and Side Effects of Black Pepper Essential Oil
Black Pepper Essential oil hardly shows any side effects on most healthy persons. But it can cause severe problems in conditions like pregnancy, breastfeeding, diabetes, etc. The use of the oil can be a great help to you, but improper use can harm you much more. The following passage will discuss all possible side effects of black pepper essential oil.
During Pregnancy
Oral consumption of a small dose of the Black Pepper Essential oil during pregnancy with a doctor’s prescription is mostly safe. But a large amount of consumption is harmful to the unborn child. It can get as bad as abortion. However, there is not enough data on using the oil on the skin. It is wiser to avoid the oil during pregnancy to maintain safety.
Blood Clotting
The oil can slow down the blood clotting mechanism. If someone has complexity in blood clotting, they should avoid the oil. People with bleeding disorders must not use potent essential oils like Black Pepper.
Diabetes
A small amount of Black Pepper Essential oil may appear suitable for diabetes patients as it maintains the blood sugar level. But unmeasured doses can disrupt the blood sugar level. Here, the amount of doses is very crucial. You must adjust the dose of essential oil with your diabetes medication. You must consult your doctor to find the proper dose and adjust it with the medication.
Where to buy Black Pepper Essential Oil
If you have adequate knowledge of essential oil, then you can buy the oil from any of your local vendors. But you must recognize the quality and characteristics of the oil. You can always rely upon some with enough knowledge of it.
You may find the oil in the outlets of Walmart, Costco, Macy’s, etc. But it is your responsibility to research and finds reliable products.
You can use online services like Amazon, Macy’s, Etsy, eBay, etc. You may find many options here, but finding the right product takes more work. But, if you use the services properly, such as following product reviews and user experience, you can find some good essential oil.
The most reliable but slightly expensive way to find your desired oil is to go for recognized essential oil brands like Plant Therapy, Jade Bloom, doTerra, Aura Cacia, Aroma Magic, Rocky Mountain Oil, Edens Garden, Mountain Rose Herbs, etc. They can provide you with the best quality oil for a little more cost.
In the big cities, you may find their physical shop, where you can have a lot of products associated with Black Pepper Essential oil. It provides online service, and you can get home delivery from anywhere.
Quick Facts
- The vine has its root in South East Asia and is most widely used in India.
- It belongs to those exclusive Essential oils which have gastroprotective properties.
- It can control bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart-related disease.
- It can disrupt the blood clotting mechanism.
- Black Pepper and Essential oil control hypertension by reducing blood pressure.
- It can disrupt blood sugar and cause problems for diabetes patients, but controlled use can benefit them.
- It contains some constituents that are well renowned for fighting cancer.
- It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
Final Thoughts
A few essential oils have been used since antiquity, and Black Pepper essential oil is one of them. From limited use in ancient medicine, within a couple of millennia, it has become one of the world’s most widely used spices and valuable essential oil.
The essential oil from Peppercorn has numerous uses and benefits we have discussed above. Most of us have used the ubiquitous spice but have yet to experience the essential oil and utilize the extraordinary benefits.
We should experience this excellent essence of nature. It may cost us a few bucks, but we can have much more from Black Pepper essential oil in return.
