Pepper, Black (Piper nigrum) Essential Oil

[Guest guest]

Hi y'all,

 

This week .. two different folks wrote me off line and asked questions

about this oil. Odds are many other folks are wondering about it .. so

here is but a tad of info on it .. maybe enough to answer some unasked

questions. :-P

 

The essential oil is obtained via steam distillation from the seeds or

berries of the plant .. same as the black pepper used on the table. Of

course, CO2 Black Pepper oil is also available. The yield for EO is

fairly low .. around 2% .. thus its not cheap .. not high but not cheap.

 

The recorded use of pepper (not the oil) for medicinal purposes goes

back over 3,000 years .. its found in ancient Sanskrit literature. It

was used by the Egyptians in the embalming process .. and the Chinese

have used it for TCM since the 7th Century.

 

Traditionally, pepper has been used to treat gastrointestinal problems

and for aching body/limbs .. for arthritic problems .. and the oil also

is effective for this purpose .. as well as being FAR SAFER than the

commonly used Wintergreen.

 

There is evidence of successful use of Black Pepper EO for smoking

cessation .. reducing the withdrawal symptoms .. just by inhaling the

EO. One trail on 48 smokers broken into 3 groups .. the group using

Black Pepper EO reported cravings for nicotine were significantly

reduced during the withdrawal period .. far moreso than was reported by

the other two groups who used another product. Symptoms of anxiety were

also reduced in the group using Black Pepper .. this report is from 1994

and was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.

 

Another report shows that a 1% dilution of Black Pepper EO stopped the

growth of the fungus Asperfillus parasiticus .. and inhibited aflotoxin

production .. so its an effective antifungal oil.

 

Inhalation of the EO has also been proven to be effective for relieving

the symptoms of colds, flu and bronchitis. Basically, expectorant

properties .. so it might help those with sinus problems.

 

Black Pepper EO is ideal for massage for muscle stiffness and aches and

pains .. but as is the case with any EO, it should be used over the

affected area rather than for a full body massage .. thus reducing the

possibility of sensitization. Black Pepper EO is NOT a known sensitizer

but then .. neither are Tea Tree and Lavender but folks have become

sensitized to them. Black Pepper EO improves peripheral circulation

via massage .. or even inhalation.

 

This is all I am going to write on this now .. and its but a tiny frag

of the info to be found on this oil .. and many other oils .. in Martin

Watt's Essential Oil Monographs .. they can be seen and ordered at URL

 

http://www.av-at.com/monographs.html

 

Y'all keep smiling. :-) Butch http://www.AV-AT.com