Use Black Pepper for digestive problems

Black Pepper or Kali Mirch is native to south-western India. Nowadays black pepper is cultivated in tropical regions around the world. It is dried unripe fruit of trailing vine Piper nigrum. Everyone is familiar with its use as spice and condiment. In Ayurveda it is used in formulation of various medicine useful in treating digestive and respiratory disorders. In Sanskrit it is called Maricha. It is one of the three herbs used in formulation of Trikatu churna.

Pepper has stimulant, antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-parasitic, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-spermatogenic, antitumor, anti-thyroid, digestive, diuretic, the liver stimulant, and nervine activities.

Black pepper is light, dry, pungent, bitter and hot in potency. It increases Pitta and decreases vaat and kapha. It is useful in treating respiratory and digestive problems.
Pepper is an excellent herb to improve digestive fire, appetite and cleansing of the liver. Piperine, present in black pepper can stimulate the digestive enzymes of pancreas and intestines, also increases biliary bile acid secretion and production of saliva. Piperine also prevents and minimize diarrhea produced by various oil and chemicals. Black pepper also stimulates nervous system. It has anti-parasitic action and cures intestinal parasites. In the case of fever it causes perspiration and brings down the fever.

The standard dosage of black pepper is approximately 500 mg to 1 gm, eaten twice and thrice a day.

Latin name: Piper nigrum Linn
Family: Piperaceae

Vernacular name

Here are some simple remedies to treat various digestion problems with black pepper

• For treating gastric causing pain in cardiac region, abdominal gas, Vishamagni (irregularity in digestion), Mandagni (weakness of digestion):
  Take a cup of water and squeeze lemon (1/2). Now add black pepper (5-6) powder. Drink this preparation twice a day after meals
• For treating Mandagni (long time taken to digest even the smallest quantity of food, Mandagni is associated with Kapha Dosha):
  Prepare a churna or powder by mixing equal quantity of black pepper powder, dry ginger powder (Sonth), cumin powder and sendha namak. Take this mixed formulation (1 gm) after meals twice a day with lukewarm water.
• For treating indigestion and abdominal gas
  Take powder of black pepper, dry ginger powder, pippali and harad in equal amount. Take 1 gm of this powder with honey.
• For treating intestinal parasite
  In a cup of buttermilk, add black pepper (4-6) powder and drink empty stomach in morning.
• For treating food poisoning, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea
  Grind black pepper (4-8) and add in butter (1 teaspoon). Take this in small doses at frequent intervals.