Black Pepper
Black pepper is a flowering vine which is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is grown for its fruit, which is dried, and used as a spice either whole or ground into powder form. This mineral- and nutrient-rich fruit is not only a widely used spice but also an ingredient in traditional medicine.
Black pepper fruit is also used to help improve the absorption of other elements in Ayurvedic medicine, especially turmeric curcumin which is a potent anti-inflammatory. In addition to the uses as mentioned above, black pepper also has the following vitamins and nutrients:
- 0.74 milligrams of manganese
- 9.5 micrograms of vitamin K
- 1.5 grams of fiber
- 0.56 milligrams of iron
- 25.5 milligrams of calcium
In Ayurvedic medicine, black pepper fruit is often used in combination with other substances and ingredients like castor oil, ghee, or turmeric. The most common medicinal uses for black pepper fruit include:
- Appetite stimulant
- Treatment of colic
- Treatment of anemia
- Reduces inflammation
Aside from having a variety of nutrients, black pepper contains many antioxidants and helps with the absorption of beneficial vitamins and nutrients when combined with other food items.