Derived from a “flowering vine” is an essential oil known as Black Pepper. This oil is extracted from a plant known as “Black pepper” belonging to a family known as “Piperaceae”. In addition, this oil consists of organic chemical known as “piperine” which possesses properties that makes the “digestive system” strong and protects it against oxidation process (i.e. a process capable of damaging cell membranes and vital components such as cellular proteins, lipids, and DNA). Furthermore, this essential oil is also used as a preservative during the manufacturing of perfumes.
A. Chemical components of the Black Pepper Oil:
This oil is obtained from a plant called “Black Pepper” which belongs to a species called “Piper Nigrum” in the “Plantae” kingdom. In addition, this oil includes “phytochemicals” such as amides, piperidines, pyrrolidines, and a small amount of safrole.
B. The uses/benefits of the Black Pepper Oil:
There are a few health related benefits that an individual can acquire by using this essential oil. These benefits are as follows:
- Digestion: This oil comprises of medicinal properties that help in maintaining the normal functioning of the gastric system. In other words, it helps resolving conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, and gas formation i.e. flatulence.
- Blood Circulation: This oil consists of organic components that helps stimulate good blood circulation throughout the body. In addition, it also promotes the normal flow of mucus and bile.
- Anti-spasmodic: This oil comprises of organic chemicals that suppress the spasms of the muscles, and thereby help resolve issues such spasms of the stomach, intestine, or urinary bladder.
- Hypolipidemia: This oil also comprises of components that help lower the cholesterol level in the human body. In other words, this oil lowers the concentration of LDL and VLDL cholesterol while elevating HDL cholesterol.
- Anticancerous: According to a research conducted in 2010 by Michigan University this oil is said to have organic compounds that help inhibit cancer cell proliferation.
C. The adverse effects of the Black Pepper Oil:
Like most essential oils Black pepper oil too possesses a few adverse effects which are as follows:
- This oil can cause irritation to the eyes, inner ears, and other sensitive areas of the body, and hence must be used with extreme care.
- Similar to most other essential oils, Black pepper oil can also seriously affect pregnancy, and hence pregnant women must avoid using this oil.
