Why include pepper in your daily diet? Renowned Ayurveda doctor explains

Pepper has been one of the major spices exported from India since ancient times. Often referred to as black gold, this essential kitchen ingredient plays a vital role in enhancing the taste and flavour of food. In traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, pepper is also widely used in the preparation of various herbal formulations.

A member of the Piperaceae family, pepper is known scientifically as Piper nigrum. India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Madagascar are among the leading pepper-producing countries. In India, Karnataka accounts for the highest production, even though Kerala is considered the birthplace of pepper.

Some of the major indigenous varieties of pepper include Karimunda, Neelamundi, Narayakkodi, Vadakkan Kuthiravalli, Kaniyakkadan, Kottanadan, Balan Kotta, Kalluvalli, Karingotta, Uthirankotta, Perumkodi, Arakkulam Munda, Ayimbiriyan, Malligeshwar and Udugare. Among these, Malligeshwar and Udugare are the two varieties widely cultivated in Karnataka.

In Kerala, the most popular variety is Karimunda. In addition, several high-yielding mixed varieties developed in research centres are also extensively cultivated. These include Panniyur 1-7, Shubhaka, Sreekara, Panchami, Malabar Excel, and Girimunda.

Key medicinal qualities
Consuming pepper, both as food and as medicine, helps detoxify the body by eliminating toxins that enter through food. Adding pepper to daily dishes also helps keep the channels of veins and arteries clear and prevents unwanted clotting. Regular consumption can lower harmful cholesterol levels and help regulate blood pressure.

Pepper provides relief from inflammation, pain, asthma and arthritis. It boosts overall immunity, supports digestion and acts as a remedy for fever, phlegm buildup, cough and sneezing.

Pepper concoctions and health benefits
Drinking water boiled with pepper, dried ginger and tulsi (holy basil) leaves helps reduce sneezing. For throat pain, a mixture of powdered pepper and honey offers relief. 

Fever remedy 
A simple pepper decoction combined with rock candy can be used as a remedy for fever. To clear phlegm buildup in the chest and reduce persistent coughing, prepare a decoction with equal volumes of pepper, thumba (Leucas aspera) leaves, tulsi leaves, and betel leaf, and consume it early in the morning for 7 days.

Headache, ringworm remedies
For headaches caused by excessive phlegm, grind rice and pepper in warm water, then apply the paste to the forehead. For ringworm on the scalp, prepare a paste by grinding pepper, salt, and onion together, then apply it to the affected area. Coconut oil boiled with pepper helps reduce frequent sneezing. Grinding pepper in coconut oil, boiling the mixture and using the refined oil on the body also helps relieve itching.
(The author is the Superintendent of the Oushadhi Panchakarma Hospital and Research Institute, Thrissur, Kerala.)