Black Pepper Essential Oil, Warm and Spicy , Complex and Exotic

Black Pepper essential oil is an antioxidant that protects the body from damages done by oxidants (free radicals) and also helps repair them. It delays adverse effects of aging such as wrinkles and degeneration and loosening of muscles.

Black Pepper Essential Oil has its origins in west India, and it has been a part of human life, both as a seasoning and as medicine, for thousands of years. It has been found in the nostrils of ancient mummies and was a key commodity on trade routes through Greece, Rome, and Asia. It was such a valuable commodity that it was often even used for collateral or even currency. Today, pepper is still the most widely traded spice in the world largely produced in India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, and China. It is also distilled in Europe and the United States, from imported dried fruit.

For over 4000 years Black Pepper essential oil has been used for its tonic effect on the muscles and joints and for its uplifting effect on the mind.

This warming, spicy essential oil is ideal for use after sport to relieve sore muscles and fatigue. It can also help relieve the pain associated with arthritis and rheumatism and it is reputed to have a tonic effect on the immune and digestive system. Not to mention the warm, stimulating properties to assist the body of toxin elimination by increasing circulation.

The therapeutic properties of Black Pepper essential oil include analgesic, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-toxic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, laxative, and tonic (especially of the spleen). The consistency is a clear, thin liquid. It is a middle note with middle strength of aroma and an aromatic scent that is strong, sharp and spicy. Black pepper essential oil has a surprising scent – quite different from the ground spice in your cabinet. If you know its pepper, you can relate the scent to the peppercorns, but without that association, the essential oil has a much warmer, woodier scent. It’s definitely spicy, warming and stimulating in a sophisticated and complex manner. It has the spiciness like Clove, a crispness like Rosemary, and a woodiness like Cedar wood.

Black pepper essential oil is steam distilled from the dried whole peppercorn fruit that gets picked once they turn black, but haven’t fully ripened.

The plant that the peppercorns come from is a perennial woody vine with heart-shaped leaves and small white flowers. The berries start out red, but as they mature, they turn black. It has about a 2% yield, which means that every pound of peppercorns yields about a third of an ounce of essential oil.

It’s a wonderful addition to blends. Because it’s so rarely used, it’s not as readily identifiable as more common essential oils. To bring out the best in essential oils, one needs to learn how to blend it with other essential oils. Black pepper essential oil blends well with most essential oils – from citrus to spice to floral. I especially like it with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Coriander Seed, Fennel Rosemary, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Lavender, and even some Orange to add complexity. Together, these essentials can create a woodsy confident relationship. Or mixed with a sweet, round flora, creates a spicy and crisp, even exotic and compelling blend, with the other notes dancing around the florals.