Pepper Herbs

Black pepper generally sits alongside salt on the dinner table. However, there are many types of peppercorns beyond the well-known table variety such as white, green, tellicherry, red and pink peppercorns. These peppercorns are ground and used to add flavor to countless dishes. Pepper is not only a spice, but also an herb offering health and medicinal benefits.

Health Benefits

• Pepper is rich in fiber and vitamins A and K. It also provides the body with calcium, potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and beta carotene. Pepper also contain capsaicin, which is said to block the cancer-forming compounds in cured and smoked meats and fish. Because of its health benefits and medicinal uses, pepper is classified as an herbal supplement and used to treat various ailments.

Digestive Aid

• Pepper possesses antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It helps stimulate the taste buds, resulting in increased gastric secretions and improving digestion to help treat or prevent stomach ailments such as heartburn, indigestion, abdominal pain and insufficient stomach juices. Pepper is also said to treat nausea and help lessen the occurrence of flatulence. Pepper acts as a stimulant on the mucus membranes of the rectum, which helps prevent constipation.

Other Uses

• Pepper has been used to treat simple ailments such as a runny nose, common cold, pain and sprains and vertigo as well as more complex ailments such as arthritis, nicotine cravings, poor memory and mental exhaustion. A salve made of pepper and applied to the skin aids in conditions such as hives, bug bites, psoriasis and other itchy skin conditions.

Warnings

• Some over-the-counter and prescription medications do not mix well with pepper. Ask your doctor about taking pepper along with Tylenol, Advil, Naproxyn, smoking cessation aids, Inderal, Coumadin and Neodur, if taking pepper as a medicinal or herbal supplement. Do not give large doses of pepper to children.