Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
Part of Plant used: fruit/seeds (peppercorns)
Method of Extraction: steam distillation of the dried and crushed peppercorns
Although nearly everyone is familiar with this spice when it comes to seasoning your food, many people are unaware of its applications in essential oil form, or that it even exists as an EO to begin with.
Black Pepper smells just like one would expect it to – spicy! Except it won’t make you sneeze the way powdered black pepper does. This is my go-to oil for muscle aches, pains and fatigue. It can be very interesting incorporating this oil into a blend. As a middle note, you don’t smell it right away, but when you pick up on it, it gives the blend a nice kick.
This oil has rubefacient properties – meaning it can cause the skin to turn red, especially sensitive skin. This makes it a very warming oil, both for the physical body, and for the emotions. Surprisingly, Black Pepper is also effective at treating fevers – like cures like!
As with the mint oils, Black Pepper is not compatible with homeopathic treatments. If you are currently taking homeopathic pellets, please avoid this oil as it cancel out the effects of the medication. Talk to your homeopath for more information about this.
Black Pepper also has a lot of applications for the digestive system. Being a person with many digestive issues (us Cancers are ruled by the stomach, you know!), I use it frequently for a belly rub. Just add 2-3 drops to a teaspoon of carrier oil. For constipation or flatulence, I massage in a circular motion – up the right side (ascending colon) and down the left side (descending colon) to encourage movement of the feces. For diarrhoea or a nervous stomach, I massage in the opposite direction to calm the intestines. I would avoid abdominal massage if you are pregnant, unless performed by a registered or licensed massage therapist. Avoid all use of essential oils while pregnant unless you are under the care of a professionally trained aromatherapist.
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