Piperine and its isomers are the major factors responsible for the pungency and irritant action of black pepper.
Black pepper is a perennial plant originating in India grown in tropical areas, especially in southern India, Indonesia, the Malay Peninsular, Central America and the Philippines.
Black pepper was used in eastern medicine as a remedy for indigestion, various pain and infections. In addition, black pepper has antiemetic and antipyretic effects.
Black pepper has been used to treat a number of ailments such as asthma, cough, heart diseases, throat, and other inflammations, urinary disorders, tooth and muscle aches, snake bites, eye diseases and cholera.
The main healing agent in black pepper is piperine, which is a powerful antioxidant. It demonstrates a strong action against free radicals. It helps in the protection of the circulatory system, the liver and protection against DNA damage, showing anticancer activity. In addition, aging processes are slowed.
Researchers have worked on the extract from pepper and it has been discovered that it possesses the drug ability in increasing digestive power, treatment to cold, cough, dyspnoea, intermittent fever, diseases of the throat, colic, dysentery, worms and piles; likewise, it can be used in the treatment of tooth ache, inflammation, liver and muscular pains, epileptic fits and leucoderma.
Black pepper: The most popular spice in the world
