Essential Oil Database

Photo: Piper Nigrum

Black Pepper

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Piper Nigrum

Family Name:

Piperaceae

Source Country:

India

Plant Parts Used:

Fruit

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Pinene, limonene, caryophyllene, elemene, terpinen, terpineol, linalool, piperonal

Botanical Description

Photo: Piper Nigrum

Piper Nigrum is native to India and is cultivated in tropical regions of the world. It is a perennial climbing flowering vine commonly known as the pepper plant growing up to 10 meters tall on supporting trellises, poles or trees. Many flowers are produced on pendulous spikes which lengthen as the small green fruits grows and matures. The fruit is harvested in differing ripening stages, dried and processed in order to produce black, white, red or green peppercorns.

Pepper has been traditionally used as a spice in eastern cuisine for several thousand years. Pepper has also been used in traditional Indian medicine.

Photo: Piper Nigrum

Fragrance

Black Pepper essential oil has a sweet, warm and spicy scent.

Black Pepper essential oil is a pale olive liquid.

Black Pepper blends well with bergamot, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, neroli, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, sweet orange and ylang ylang.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Piper Nigrum

Properties: Analgesic, aperitif, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, stimulant

Aids: blood cell production, circulation, digestion, immune system, mental alertness, stamina, urine flow.

Alleviates: anaemia, arthritis, bleeding, bronchitis, bruising, catarrh, coma, fever, migraine, muscular aches and pains, nausea, stiffness

Black Pepper is said to aid meditation and connection to the higher self.

Safety Data

Avoid contact with skin.

Use moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid irritation.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.