Description

Black Pepper Oil

Black Pepper Oil is an essential oil steam-distilled from the dried berries of the Piper nigrum plant. Black pepper oil has a pale green to yellowish color with a spicy aroma and characteristic peppery flavor.

Black pepper essential oil is used for a number of varying applications. In the food and beverage industry, it is a popular added flavoring agent in formulations for its spicy, peppery essence. Pepper oil is used in cooking recipes similar to ground pepper to enhance flavor, but it would not be used as a 1:1 ratio. One teaspoon of black pepper essential oil will have a much greater impact on flavoring than one teaspoon of ground pepper. Massage therapists often incorporate black pepper oil into their topical blends for its stimulating aroma. Additionally, it is used in aromatherapy and in various personal care applications.

Oil properties

It is a strong and sharp spicy smelling oil and is faintly reminiscent of clove oil, yet more refined. It can range in color from light amber to yellow-green and has a watery viscosity.

Origin

The plant originated from India, Malaysia, Madagascar, China and Indonesia and the oil is mostly made in Singapore, India and Malaysia.

The plant is originally a forest plant and this climbing woody vine uses trees or other supports to grow to about twenty feet high, but is normally kept to about 12 feet for commercial purposes and has a lifespan of about twenty years.

The word pepper is derived from the Latin word piper, which in turn is taken from the Sanskrit word pippali.

It has been used since the times of the Ancient Romans and Greeks. Even the Turks levied a tax on pepper, while the French, Portuguese and Dutch often went to war in the middle ages to fight for this lucrative trade from the far east.

Extraction

The essential oil is composed of various chemical constituents and includes the following; a-thujone, a-pinene, camphene, sabinene, b-pinene, a-phellandrene, myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, b-farnesene, b-bisabolene, linalool and terpinen-4-ol.

Chemical composition

The main chemical components of cardamom oil are a-pinene, b-pinene, sabinene, myrcene, a-phellandrene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, y-terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-oil, a-terpineol, a-terpineol acetate, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, methyl eugenol and trans-nerolidol.

Precautions

Black pepper oil may cause irritation to sensitive skins and using too much could over-stimulate the kidneys. It should be avoided in pregnancy due to its possible skin sensitizing effect.

Therapeutic properties

The therapeutic properties of black pepper oil include analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antitoxic.

Uses

Black pepper oil can be used to help in the treatment of pain relief, rheumatism, chills, flu, colds, increase circulation, exhaustion, muscular aches, physical and emotional coldness, nerve tonic.

Although essential oils blend and mix well aroma wise with one another, Black Pepper oil does go very well with other essential oils such as bergamot,  clary sage, clove, coriander, fennel, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, juniper, lemon, lime, mandarin, sage, sandalwood and ylang-ylang. 

The above information is for general research purposes only and is not a representation or warranty of any kind. This material is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The user of this material is solely responsible for determining fitness for any particular use; requesting and reviewing the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet; and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Terms and conditions apply.