Medicinal uses of black pepper (Kali Mirch)

Most cuisines of the world would have been incomplete without this small black ball called ‘Black Pepper’ which has a world of spice in it. With a huge list of medicinal properties, pepper plays the home doctor in many Indian homes. Its aroma is a treat to the senses and it is so commonly used that we can almost say that all dishes have a sprinkling of pepper in one form or the other.

Home-remedies with black pepper

 

For indigestion

Intake of ginger juice mixed with a fine powder of pepper corns provides relief in cases of indigestion. Including a chutney made with garlic cloves and a dash of few pepper corns not just aids digestion but is also good for overall health.

 

For loss of appetite

When hunger pangs seem to have deserted you and nothing works in tantalizing your willful taste buds in appreciating even a morsel of delectable food, chew on a paste of pepper powder mixed with a tsp of honey and you will find your appetite restored in a matter of a day.

 

For colds

Use the same recipe as above for relief.

 

To cure intestinal worms

For intestinal worms, drink a decoction (Kadha) with pepper corns as one of the ingredients.

 

For bloating and flatulence

For those bothered by flatulence (gas) and a bloated, full feeling in the abdomen all the time an intake of rasam prepared with pepper corns, cumin (jeera) and crystal salt provides relief.

 

For toothache

For toothache, make a decoction of pepper by adding 1/8 th tsp of black pepper to ½ cup of boiling water. Stir, cover and simmer on low heat for 7 minutes. Steep, still covered for another 15 minutes. Strain. Rinse the mouth with small sips with warm decoction. Retain the liquid in the mouth for a minute or so.

 

Pepper and pepper oil for pains and aches

Smearing a paste of pepper corns on affected parts provides respite from all kinds of pain and swellings. Black pepper oil can also be used for massage by blending (diluting) it with some other vegetable oil, or diluted in a bath to assist with circulation, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis and muscular pains.

 

For coughs

Add jaggery to a cup of water and boil. Then add pepper powder and honey and take it. Sucking three pepper corns with a pinch of ajwain (Bishop’s weed) seeds and a crystal of common salt is also an effective remedy for cough. When cold is accompanied by a spell of nagging cough just chew on 2-3 cloves with crystal sugar for relief.

 

For eczema

Apply externally on affected parts a mixture of pepper powder and ghee. It is believed to help in eczema, scabies and all kinds of allergic rashes and skin disorders associated with oozing and itching.

 

For fevers

During a spell of fever which is accompanied by chills, taking a decoction prepared by boiling water with pepper corns is found to reduce rigors and lower temperature.

 

For excessive thirst

Roasted pepper powder with water helps to quench excessive thirst.

 

For pimples

Pound pepper corns with water on a clean stony surface and apply it over your pimples to dry them up.

So have you used black pepper to cure any ailment? Do try some of the above mentioned home-remedies for your health issues and  drop a comment to say whether they worked for you.