006 Organic Black Pepper essential oil from India

black pepper essential oil Black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil is extracted from dried, fully grown yet unripe fruit of the pepper plant - a perennial woody vine with heart shaped leaves and small white flowers. It has been used since antiquity in the culinary and healing arts. Indian monks ate black pepper daily to sustain their endurance and increase their energy. During the spice wars it was a trading commodity.

The oil is well used in aromatherapy formulas and in perfumery. It is commonly added to massage blends to enhance circulation. It also adds a lovely 'spicy' note to aromatic and perfume blends.

Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
Common Method Of Extraction: Steam distillation
Parts Used: Peppercorns
Note Classification: Middle to base
Aroma: Hot, sharp, bright, fruity, and spicy odor
Largest Producing Countries: India, Malaysia, Madagascar, China, Indonesia
Traditional Use: Used in the East for over 4,000 years for medicinal and culinary purposes. Known to have been used in Chinese medicine, and by the ancient Greeks. In Greece it is used for intermittent fever and to fortify the stomach.
Properties: Analgesic, anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-toxic, aperitif, aphrodisiac, bactericidal, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, laxative, rubefacient, stimulant, stomachic, tonic (especially of the spleen).
Benefits: Anaemia, arthritis, catarrh, cellulite, chilblains, chills, cholera, cold, colic, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, dysuria, encourages bravery and courage, fevers, flatulence, heartburn, helps resolve past emotional issues, increases alertness and improves concentration, influenza, loss of appetite, muscular aches and pains, nausea, neuralgia, poor circulation and muscle tone, quinsy, rheumatic pain, sprains, stiffness, toothache, vertigo, and vomiting.
Blends Well With: Basil, bergamot, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, fennel, frankincense, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, juniper, lemon, lemongrass, lime, mandarin, marjoram, myrrh, orange, nutmeg, patchouli, palmarosa, rose, rosemary, sage, sandalwood, spikenard, tea tree, valerian, vetiver, and ylang ylang.
Safety Data: Non-toxic, non-sensitizing, irritant in high concentration due to rubefacient properties. Use in moderation only.

General Guidelines for safe use of essential oils

Be an experienced and knowledgeable user of essential oils and research all oils thoroughly and/or consult with a skilled practitioner before any use.

Dilute all oils being used with a vegetable carrier oil. Skin test all essential oils before using topically. Each person's body is different, so apply oils to a small area first. The inside of the arm is good for this. The bottoms of the feet are two of the safest, most affective places to use essential oils. Discontinue use or dilute further with vegetable oil if there is discomfort or skin irritation.

Keep essential oils out of the reach of children. Treat them as you would any product with therapeutic uses. Take special precaution with babies, pregnant women and anyone and everyone with allergies, special conditions and needs.

Keep essential oils away from mucous membranes and the eye area and do not put into ears. Do not handle contact lenses or rub eyes with essential oils on fingers. Know also that many of the citrus oils and others may cause a rash or darker pigmentation if applied to skin exposed to direct sunlight or UV rays within 3 to 4 days of use.

Keep bottles of essential oils tightly closed and store them in a cool location away from light. If stored properly, essential oils will maintain their potency for many years.