The efficacy and function of pepper

Pepper is a common medicinal ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine. So what are the health benefits of pepper? In what aspects of daily life is pepper widely used? Let's take a brief look at pepper.

【English name】 FRUCTUS PIPERIS

【Other Names】 White pepper, black pepper

[Source] This product is the dried nearly mature or mature fruit of Piper nigrum L., a plant of the Piperaceae family. The fruits are harvested when they are dark green from late autumn to next spring, and dried to produce black pepper ; the fruits are harvested when they turn red, soaked in water for several days, the pulp is wiped off, and dried to produce white pepper .

[Properties] Black pepper: spherical, with a diameter of 3.5 to 5 mm. The surface is dark brown with raised reticular wrinkles, with tiny style remnants at the top and scars from falling off the fruit axis at the base. It is hard, the outer peel can be peeled off, and the inner peel is grayish white or light yellow. The cross section is yellowish white, powdery, and contains small voids. It has a fragrant aroma and a spicy taste.

【Identification】 (1) Black pepper powder is dark grey. The stone cells of the exocarp are square, rectangular or irregular in shape, with a diameter of 19 to 66 μm and thick walls. The stone cells of the endocarp are polygonal in surface view, with a diameter of 20 to 30 μm; they are square in side view, with thin walls on one side. The testa cells are brown, polygonal, and their walls are bead-like and thickened. There are fewer oil cells, which are round in shape and have a diameter of 51 to 75 μm. Starch granules are small and often aggregate into clumps.

【Processing】Remove impurities and ash. Crush into fine powder when using.

【Nature and flavor】Pungent, hot.

[return through meridians] return the stomach and large intestine meridians.

【Functions and indications】Warms the middle and dispels cold, relieves qi and eliminates phlegm. Used for vomiting due to stomach cold, abdominal pain and diarrhea, loss of appetite, epilepsy and excessive sputum.

[Usage and Dosage] 0.6-1.5g, grind into powder and swallow; apply externally in appropriate amount.

【Storage】Sealed in a cool and dry place.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

【Source】 "Tang Materia Medica"

In general, the effect of pepper is quite significant. It is precisely because pepper has so many health benefits that the application of pepper in health care in daily life can be said to be quite high.