Property Series: Black Pepper
Let’s get crackin’!
One thing we love at here is simple kitchen staples that pack a punch! Black pepper is often underrated—along with salt and vanilla—as a “simple” or “basic” spice. While research is ongoing, the potential benefits of black pepper range from muscle pain relief to digestion aid. Black pepper can be ingested, applied topically, or used aromatically*.
*Disclaimer: We ain’t no doctor, nurse, or ya mama, so use at your own judgment.
What is Black Pepper?
Black pepper—piper nigrum—is a vine in the piperaceae family. The end of its vines produces the peppercorn fruit, a small, green berry that wrinkles and blackens after drying. The flowering vine is a tropical plant native to India. Once established it requires minimal effort and the berries can be picked year round in the right climates.
What Does Black Pepper Do?
When ingested black pepper oil may ease stomach discomfort, boost absorption of nutrients, and promote gut health. More research still needs to be done on the effects of piperine, an alkaloid found in black pepper responsible for its pungent smell, but there is promise for this mighty spice. Although our products are technically edible, we advise against the ingestion of any Dissent Botanical product.
We love black pepper as a topical spice due to its warming qualities and spicy, sultry scent; but it also contains antioxidants and is a natural anti-inflammatory. We love an “anti” anything here at Dissent so black pepper is an unlikely comrade is our everyday arsenal. We like to slow-infuse oil—coconut, safflower, or any carrier oil—to extract the botanicals straight from the source. While we try to avoid essential oils, be sure to dilute black pepper essential oil with a carrier oil to avoid chemical reactions and burns.
How to Use Black Pepper Oil
1. Apply topically to relieve muscle pain
* Always do a test patch to make sure there aren’t any reactions
2. Apply to bottoms of feet for detoxification
3. Rub on chest to aid in congestion
4. Use as smelling aid for appetite suppression and brain function