Pepper (Piper nigrum) is a perennial evergreen climbing plant. It originates in Azia, precisely from the south Idia. It grows pretty high like a vine, up to 15 meters. There are several types of pepper plants like white, red, or green, but the most recognizable and most used is black pepper. The way to produce black pepper is by drying fruits. You can use it as grain or grounded.
History of black pepper
We have known about pepper since ancient times. The earliest traces of its use were found as early as 2000 BC in India. There are numerous signs of the pepper trade from India to Egypt. One of the clues is pepper berries found in the mummified nostrils of Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses the Great.
In the distant past, pepper was highly valued. Black pepper served as a means of payment for buying the goods, paying taxes, and more. It was very appreciated in cooking and healing by the ancient Romans and Greeks. Black pepper was regularly used as an aphrodisiac and as a cure for impotence.
Black pepper’s health benefits.
It contains vitamins A, C, and K. There are also minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and sodium. It is a good source of carbohydrates and protein. Other benefitial ingredients in black pepper are essential oils.
Black pepper has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
It protects us against viruses
Black pepper has the characteristics of a natural antibiotic because of the vitamin C it contains. By using the black pepper in your food, you can prevent inflammations and improve your immune system.
It promotes digestion
It will improve the secretion of saliva and gastric juices, which is of great benefit for healthy digestion. Black pepper also helps with bloating and gasses.
It cleanses the body of toxins
It promotes sweating and urination, which contributes to the elimination of unwanted and unhealthy toxins.
Helps prevent cancer
Antioxidants in black pepper protect the body from cancer and other degenerative diseases.
Flu and cold remedy
If you mix a glass of water with a grain of pepper, cook it for a few minutes, then add honey and lemon, you will get a great remedy for cold and flu.
Promotes weight loss
Black pepper boosts metabolism, burns calories, and helps reduce fat from the belly.
Cleanses and heals skin
The use of black pepper can contribute to soothing skin irritations, inflammation, and itching.
Black pepper pealing is a natural way to clean your skin from impurities and increase circulation.
Helps with rheumatism and inflammatory diseases
Black pepper is a very effective remedy against inflammatory diseases. Some balms contain black pepper, which is excellent to apply to any painful spot on your body.
It is recommended to use black pepper in food because it has proven to have multiple good effects on our body. Add black pepper at the later stage of meal preparation in order to preserve as much of its useful ingredients and compounds as possible.
