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Black pepper
CautionSchwarzer Pfeffer · (Piper nigrum)
Pepper family (Piperaceae)
Description
Piper nigrum is a perennial woody climbing vine of the pepper family that grows up to about 4 m on supports. It is cultivated for its fruits, the peppercorns, which are dried and used as a spice. Its pungency comes from the alkaloid piperine. The essential oil of the fruit coat contains terpenes such as limonene, pinene and beta-caryophyllene that shape the aroma. Black pepper has been used since antiquity as a seasoning and in traditional medicine.
- SpiceFruitInternalTraditional use
Dried peppercorns are a ubiquitous culinary seasoning; traditionally also used for cough, cold and digestive complaints (traditional use, not proof of efficacy).
- SpiceFruitInternal
Piperine can increase the absorption and plasma levels of other substances by inhibiting metabolic enzymes (CYP3A4) and the transporter P-glycoprotein; this has been shown in studies.