Ingredient of the Month: Black Pepper
3rd September 2020
Time to explore and celebrate one of the ingredients that makes up our MASAJ Blends - no-nonsense aromatherapy bought to you by MASAJ Co-Founder Alice, IFPA Clinical Aromatherapist in-training.
This month we’re focusing on Black Pepper - a basic ingredient more commonly associated with cooking than aromatherapy - but when it comes to boosting mental and physical performance, this spicy little fruit is worth its weight in gold…
BACKGROUND
Spicy, warm and woody - black pepper is a fragrance we all probably know well from culinary adventures. Piper Nigrum is a native plant of southern India and Indonesia, and has been cultivated in the same areas for over 2,000 years. A lush perennial vine which climbs to about 5m high (illustrated stunningly by the ever-talented @SophieBansal), the almost-ripe black pepper berries are harvested, sun-dried, crushed and then steam-distilled to provide the essential oil that we use in our blends here at MASAJ.
The history of black pepper is deep and fascinating - used widely and valued highly in India since time immemorial, pepper was once so important that the search for the spice and the control of the resulting trade was a significant influence in world exploration (and colonisation). Described in texts dating back to the fourth century, black pepper is one of the oldest-documented spices, and by the Middle Ages was used within Europe for its food preservation properties, and valued so highly that it was even used as currency - referenced today in expressions such as ‘Peppercorn Rent’.
PROPERTIES
Still used commonly today in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Ayurvedic medicine, pepper is valued for its carminative, warming and eliminative properties. (Those with digestive issues may be familiar with the term ‘carminative’ - but for anyone not in the know, it’s the medical term for something which contains flatulence-relieving properties.) To relieve other digestive and gastrointestinal issues, many traditional applications of black pepper see it blended with ginger, for added tummy-calming benefits.
However, as is the case with many ingredients - once distilled and converted to an essential oil, the aromatherapeutic properties become much more interesting to us at MASAJ, and there’s a very good reason why it’s such a valued ingredient in our No.2 Homerun blend, which is designed specifically for use pre and post-exercise!
Black pepper is a wonder when it comes to boosting the circulatory system - acting as a stimulant for the spleen, which is involved in the production of new blood cells. Black pepper oil has even been recommended for the treatment of anaemia and bruising (please see information on application below, and never ever ingest essential oils!)
A number of fascinating studies have been published which document the positive effects of black pepper for a range of other uses, including improving skin elasticity, swallowing reflex and even smoking withdrawal symptoms - with cravings and anxiety both reduced.
Black pepper is also highly recommended for use in a massage blend for the relief of rheumatism and arthritis, and muscular aches and pains. This type of therapeutic application is recommended before and after training or exercising to prevent stiffness, pain and possibly even improve performance!
Salvatore Battaglia (my Aromatherapy guru!) describes black pepper as ‘the scent of strength and fortitude’ - having a positive effect on emotional strength and confidence, lifting the spirits and giving us courage to move forward, and venture to places unknown. For me this links beautifully with the physical effects of this essential oil on sporting performance - and whether it’s a physical or mental stimulus you’re in need of, it’s likely that black pepper can offer the boost that’s needed to help you bring your A Game. We’ve included black pepper in the original Signature MASAJ Candle - blended with other oils for a gloriously androgynous scent, this candle fills the room with calming, warming, soothing aroma.
APPLICATIONS
Especially when blended with complimentary essential oils, such as the rosemary, ginger, pimento berry and sweet marjoram used in our No.2 Homerun blend, the warming properties of black pepper really shine. Of all of our product range, I always think of our No.2 Studio Oil as having some of the most specific and targeted purposes - if ever a client is coming into the Studios and I know that they’re booked in for a Deep Tissue or Sports massage to aid any exercise-related aches, I always recommend that they choose No.2 Homerun for their treatment!
For use in massage, black pepper is non-irritating and non-sensitising, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin - and the essential oil can be added neat (just a few drops!) or blended with a carrier oil to baths - ideal post-exercise, or to help warm you once the temperature starts to dip.
Top Tip: add a couple of drops of black pepper essential oil to a foot bath to ease aching tendons and ligaments - ideal for runners or those who are on their feet all day! Particularly lovely for your tootsies when blended with oils such as sweet marjoram, rosemary or pine for an extra-fresh, warming sensation.
As with all pure essential oils, regardless of some of the advice commonly found online / on Instagram - never apply undiluted to the skin or take internally - and if you’re pregnant or planning on using aromatherapy products on children under the age of 12, consult your doctor or a trained aromatherapist for advice, just to be on the safe side.
Next time you’re in need of a physical or mental boost, and the confidence to overcome a challenge, I highly recommend turning to our old friend black pepper. Whether burned in a diffuser as an essential oil blend to aid mental fatigue, or used for self-massage to boost circulation, black pepper will get you moving, and help you to reach the summit of whatever challenge you may be facing.