The pepper is an exotic spice native to southern India and Sri Lanka marketed under different colors (green, white, red or black) depending on the degree of ripeness of the beans.
In cooking, the use of pepper, king of spices, promises many benefits and virtues for our health!
Pepper has also been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine
The benefits of pepper on the plate
Europe has known pepper since Antiquity. Used primarily as a condiment, it was quickly recognized to have interesting therapeutic effects against rheumatism, digestion problems, fever flares, and even depression.
- Pepper has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, it has stimulating and antiseptic properties.
- A hepatoprotective spice, pepper protects the liver. It is also a natural antioxidant.
- The consumption of pepper improves digestion and stimulates appetite; it is recommended in case of nausea, gas, or constipation.
- By stimulating the production of endorphins, pepper is a natural antidepressant that helps fight anxiety and depression.
- Be careful, however, too much pepper can cause serious burns to the digestive system.
The other health benefits of pepper
In external use, pepper also knows how to be effective.
- The essential oil of black pepper stimulates the organism, helps fight against muscle pain and rheumatism. It is also effective in relieving the respiratory tract.
- The massages with black pepper essential oil relax the muscular zones contracted (tendinitis, cramp). They are recommended in the physical preparation of athletes to heat the muscles.
Pepper: green, white, red, or black?
- In cooking, we use whole black and white pepper to flavor the water used in cooking foods or pickles. They are appreciated crushed in marinades or spice mixtures, but also ground to enhance a dish during its preparation or at the table.
- The green pepper used fresh or dried (and often full), poultry flavored and scented exotic recipes.
- The red pepper rarer surprise you in desserts: drag a few grains in a vanilla cream or applesauce …
Growing pepper for its benefits
Pepper requires hot exposure (minimum 15 ° C), bright but sheltered from direct sunlight.
The soil should be humus, cool, deep, and drained. If you grow the pepper plant in a pot at home, spray it daily, it appreciates moist environments.
