Background: Black Pepper is a common spice and is the native plant of South West India, however, it has now been cultivated in many other countries of tropical climate. The berries are harvested as they turn red and are left out in the sunlight to dry out, which turns them black. Most of the essential oils comes from the skin of the berry and only a very small proportion of the Black Pepper yield is actually used to make essential oil.

Properties: Warming, aperitif, diuretic, analgesic, carminative, decongestant, stimulating.

Precautions: Only use in very small amounts - this oil can be highly irritating. Overuse of this oil may result in kidney damage. Do not use if suffering from kidney problems.

Physical Uses: Muscular aches and pains, circulation, constipation, indigestion, loss of appetite, stimulates urination, headaches, colds, toothache, catarrh.

Emotional Uses: Lethargy and Apathy.