Black Pepper Essential Oil

Anti-inflammatory: Some of the main components of Black Pepper essential oil, including d-limonene and β-caryophyllene, show good anti-inflammatory activity.

• Baylac S, Racine P (2003) Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase by essential oils and other natural fragrant extracts. International Journal of Aromatherapy 13 (2/3): 138-142

• (Aromahead) Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults
  Haze S, Sakai K, Gozu Y (2002) Effects of fragrance inhalation on sympathetic activity in normal adults. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology 90: 247-253

Antibacterial: Black Pepper is active against pathogenic bacteria such as the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus faecalis, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.

• Karsha PV, Lakshmi OB (2010) Antibacterial activity of black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.) with special reference to its mode of action on bacteria. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources 1 (2): 213-215

Antibacterial: Black Pepper is active against pathogenic bacteria such as the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus faecalis, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.

• Nikolaevskii V, Kononova N, Pertsovskii A, Shinarchuk I (1990) Effect of essential oils on the course of experimental atherosclerosis. Patologicheskaia Fiziologica i     Eksperimental’naia Terapia 5: 52-53. Cited by Shaaban HAE, El-Ghorab
  AH, Shibamoto T (2012) Bioactivity of essential oils and their volatile aroma components: review. Journal of Essential Oil Research 24 (2): 203-212
  

Analgesic: Based on its dominant components, notably β-caryophyllene, d-limonene, and α- and β-pinene, Black Pepper is likely to have analgesic and antinociceptive actions. Ou et al. (2014) demonstrated this in a randomized controlled study, where a blend of Black Pepper, Marjoram, Lavender, and Peppermint (applied daily in a 3% cream formulation) was significantly more effective in reducing neck pain in comparison with a control group.

• Ou MC, Lee YF, Li CC, Wu SK (2014) The effectiveness of essential oils for patients with neck pain: a randomized controlled study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 20 (10): 771-779.
  

Antibacterial: Black Pepper is active against pathogenic bacteria such as the Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus faecalis, and Gram-negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.

• Zarringhalam M, Zaringhalam J, Shadnoush M, Safaeyan F, Tekieh E (2013) Inhibitory effect of black and red pepper and thyme extracts and essential oils on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and DNase activity of Staphylococcus aureus. Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 12 (3): 363-369

Smoking cessation: There is some evidence that supports the use of Black Pepper in smoking cessation. A randomized controlled trial evaluated the effects of inhaled Black Pepper essential oil, and it was found that it significantly reduced the craving for cigarettes.

• Kitikannakorn N, Chaiyakunapruk N, Nimpitakpong P, Dilokthornsakul P, Meepoo E, Kerdpeng W (2013) An overview of the evidences of herbals for smoking cessation. Complementary Therapies in Medicine 21 (5): 557-564

Warmth. Black Pepper adds warmth to blends, and not just from the olfactory perspective. It complements intense florals (such as Rose, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang), and blends well with herbal oils (especially Basil), citrus oils (notably Bergamot), spicy oils (such as Clove Bud and Nutmeg), and the resinous Frankincense and Myrrh

• Rhind JP (2014) Listening to Scent – An Olfactory Journey with Aromatic Plants and their Extracts. London: Singing Dragon