Piper nigrum : One of the oldest known spice, and Siddha drug which finds a significant place in Traditional Indian medicine. Belonging to Piperaceae family this pungent flavoured aromatic spice is rich in dietery fibers and essential nutrients listed below :
Vitamin A : Maintains healthy mucous membrane. Essential for night vision and skeletal growth.
Vitamin C : Keeps the immune system healthy. Prevents Cardiovascular diseases.
Niacin : Helps in normal tissue functioning. protects heart by lowering blood levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol.
Riboflavin : Helps in break down of fat.
Pyridoxine : Prevents water retention. Enables conversion of carbohydrates into energy.
Thiamine : Growth and development of Skeletal structure. Promote digestion.
Folic acid : Important in RBC formation and its circulation within the body.
Iron : Helps in synthesis of Red blood cells and repair of damaged cells.
Calcium : Helps to maintain strong bones and teeth.
Zinc : Important for normal growth. Prevents cholesterol deposition.
Manganese : Proper metabolism of fats and carbohydrates.
Magnesium : Helps in proper nerve functioning.
Health Benefits :
- Regulates Blood Pressure : Black pepper is rich in Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin C, regular intake helps to prevent blood pressure.
- Brain food : Piperine in black pepper has antidepressant properties that help to prevent mood swings. Regular intake improves brain function, cognitive and CNS functions. ‘Piperine’ in pepper helps lift mood, relieve pain and make us feel really good.
- Aids Digestion : Improves digestive fire. Dietery fiber present in pepper cleans the bowel and eliminates the toxins from the body. Also purifies blood. Cures indigestion, bloating, diarrhoea.
- For Respiratory problems : Used in treatment of respiratory problems. Has Anti-microbial properties. Destroy germs and pathogens lodging tin the respiratory tract. Clears nasal passage, relieves congestion, removes mucus from chest cavity. Rich in Vitamin C, improves immunity, fights off cough and cold.
- Anti Cancer : ‘Piperine’ in pepper suppresses cancer cells and preventing Cancer.
- For weight loss : According to study published in the journal of Agriculture and Food, the pungent component of pepper helps to prevent accumulation and formation of fat in the body. Increases fat metabolism that helps to burn calories faster than usual promotes weight loss. Adding this spice to daily diet may help burn off calories – get rid of Carbs and fats.
- Reduces Cholesterol : Research by Central Food Technologies Research institute has documented one of the benefits of this herb as ability to lower lipid and regulate cholesterol level.
- Healthy Heart : Piperine and chromium has anti-inflammatory properties essential to heal the inflammations in walls of arteries of heart. Also regulates cholesterol, reduces bad cholesterol that may get deposited in arteries of heart causing problems like atherosclerosis.
- Dental Health : Fights tooth decay and cavity. Black pepper and salt can be gently massaged on the painful areas for toothache. It also keeps the teeth and gums healthy.
- For Skin ailments : Skin ailments like fungal infections, vitiligo, alopecia can be well managed through pepper. In such cases pepper is used both internally and externally.
- Cools the Body : Improves blood circulation, increases sweat and releases heat from the body. Rapidly increases the body temperature and cools it eventually. Normalises 3 humours.
Pepper is one of the most important ingredient in majority of Siddha preparations. Classical Siddha Medical preparations like Amukkura Chooranam, Nilavembu kudineer, Trikaduku Chooranam etc contains this herb as one of the main constituent. It is advised to all our readers to eliminate Red Chilly from their diet and replace it with this wonder spice which provides taste and health both.