Black Pepper Powder: Maricha [Kali mirch] Uses Benefits and Full Details

Maricha or Black pepper is a stout climber plant and an extensively used Spice in Ayurveda and all over the world. Black pepper powder can be used for the treatment of many ailments and also as a spice in your diet. Here we will share Black pepper powder’s Uses and benefits and full details about it

What is Black pepper?

It is a creeper plant that is very famous for its therapeutic benefits and cooking worldwide. It is one of the main ingredients of Trikatu, a famous combination of three Ayurvedic herbs.

• Botanical name – Piper Nigrum
• Family – Piperaceae

It is cultivated in tropical parts of the southwestern part of India. Also can be seen cultivated in Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Maharashtra And  Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, South America, and the West Indies.

Black Pepper Powder Uses

• For the management of bloating, flatulence.
• Indigestion, gas, and discomfort in the stomach.
• Provides relief from pain
• Good antibacterial agent
• It can induce abortion
• Used as antiarthritic and paraplegia
• As an appetiser
• Relieves Nausea and vomiting
• Has warm nature and reduces cold and cough
• Dyspepsia
• Acts as an effective agent against fever
• Diaphoretic in nature
• Hepatopatrative and prevents damage to the liver
• Prevents infections
• Reduces Stress and anxiety
• Carminative
• Controls obesity 
• Increases blood circulation when topically applied
• Anti catarrhal
• Good hypotensive agent, Helps to reduce blood pressure

Black Pepper Powder Benefits

Cholesterol levels

• In many studies conducted on animals, the extract of black pepper has the ability to reduce unwanted cholesterol effectively.

• A 42 days study conducted on rats fed with a high-fat diet has shown that it is beneficial to reduce LDL bad cholesterol in the blood.

Improves blood sugar control

• Maricha has been used for many centuries in ayurvedic formulations which are used to treat diabetes[Prameha].

• Piperine an active compound present in black pepper may be helpful to increase blood sugar Metabolism

• It can help to improve the insulin sensitivity of the person Which helps to remove glucose from the bloodstream.

Helpful in Brain function

• Black pepper powder has a strong taste when it is crushed between the teeth it gives a sense of stimulating the whole body.

• Piperine present in the maricha may be helpful to increase brain function

• It has shown positive results when it is used in Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism patients

• It can help to improve the memory and intelligence of the person who uses it in their diet regularly

High levels of antioxidants

• Black pepper powder contains a large number of antioxidants in it.

• Consuming black pepper may benefit a person to avoid damages that may occur from free radicals present in the body

• Studies suggest that a diet rich in antioxidants can help to avoid damage from free radicals.

• Free radicals present in the body may cause inflammation, premature ageing, many types of cancer, Heart disease etc

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

• Kali Mirch has anti-inflammatory properties that can help you reduce the inflammations in different parts of the body

• It is helpful in Arthritis that’s why it is used in many Ayurvedic 

formulations that are used for the treatment of joint pains

• It is useful in reducing chronic inflammations and underlying health problems like heart problems, Diabetes, cancer etc

• Many studies have shown that Piperine the main active compound of black pepper may help to reduce the inflammations in the body

Cancer-fighting properties 

• Black pepper powder may have the properties to fight against cancer.

• When it is combined with turmeric it becomes twice as effective to fight cancer

• It contains vitamin C, vitamin A, flavonoids, antioxidants, Piperine, Carotenes and many bioactive compounds that can fight against cancer.

• Test tube studies have shown that it can induce cancer cell death

• Piperine a phytochemical present in the Maricha has shown promising results for reversing multidrug resistance in Cancer cells

Gut health

• Black pepper powder can help to improve the immunity of the body, which directly helps to develop friendly bacteria.

• Regular intake of black pepper may help to Increase the good bacteria in the intestine which directly helps in the healthy digestion of food particles.

Stimulates digestion

• In Ayurveda, Maricha has been used in the Ayurvedic formulations to increase appetite and the digestive process.

• It helps the stomach to increase the appetite and the production of 

hydrochloric acid so that the stomach can digest the protein and interest in food easily.

• Thus it helps to make the digestion process fast.

Pain relief

• Black pepper powder has always been used in many Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal formulations for preparing painkiller medicines.

• It can help to reduce any inflammation in the joint and increase the flexibility and motility of the joints.

• It can reduce the discomfort of walking or sitting by reducing the pain in Big joints.

Cough and cold

• Black pepper powder has antibacterial properties that can help to reduce any mild infections

• Cold and cough during the rainy season can be reduced using black pepper powder along with honey that gives relief from cold and cough.

• May help to reduce flu, viral infections and congestion due to air pollution if used regularly.

Skin

• It can help to stimulate skin cells to get more nourishment.

• It can help to increase blood circulation to the skin because of its antioxidant properties

• Black pepper powder mixed with curd honey and used as a skin exfoliate works miraculously well to remove dead cells and tan. 

Weight loss

• You may not believe this but it is a very good natural medicine To extract nutrients from food 

• Black pepper powder contains many phytochemicals that can help to remove the deposited fats in the adipose tissue.

• It can help to remove excess water and unwanted toxins from the body.

Depression

• Piperine active chemical compound present in the Maricha has the property to stimulate brain function

• Black pepper is beneficial for those people who are having stress anxiety depression for a very long time.

• If used regularly in the diet it can help to reduce the Chemicals responsible for depression in the brain. 

Increases supplement absorbability

• Black pepper powder is one of the ingredients of Trikatu, a combination of three Ayurvedic medicinal herbs.

• It contains Black pepper, long paper and Ginger

• Black pepper and piperine are believed to increase the absorption of dietary nutrients

• Generally, Ayurvedic formulations contain trikatu as a normal ingredient in most cases, because of its ability to make the inner nutrients get absorbed into the body.

• It can help to increase the bioavailability of curcumin the active compound of turmeric  

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Ayurvedic medicinal properties

• Rasa [taste] – Katu [Pungent]
• Guna [quality] – Laghu [Light to digest], Teekshna [Strong piercing], Sookshma [enters deep]
• Virya [potency] – Hot
• Vipaka – Katu [pungent]
• Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata

Part Used

Fruit, Dried unripe fruits.

Dosage

Black pepper powder 250 mg to 2 grams in a divided dose per day.

Black pepper Activity based on research

• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antidiarrhoeal
• Anti colon toxin
• Antifungal
• Antidepressant
• Antithyroid-hyperthyroid
• Antispasmodic
• Antimutagenic
• Insecticidal activity
• Hepatoprotective

VEDIO

Maricha Side effects

• Black pepper powder can increase Pita so people with gastritis burning sensation in the stomach And sensitive stomachs should avoid it.
• Consuming more than the prescribed dose may cause abdominal pain Vomiting, burning micturition, Urticaria etc
• It has anaphrodisiac Properties So it should be used in a minimal dosage to avoid infertility.

In Pregnant women

Black pepper powder can be used in moderate dosage in pregnant women

Consult a doctor for more information

In Lactating mothers

Black pepper powder can be consumed in a limited dosage for lactating mothers

Reach your healthcare provider for more information.

In Kids

It is safe in kids if consumed in a limited dosage

Take an opinion from your doctor for more information

Interaction with Allopathic medicines

• Generally, it is considered safe with allopathic medicines
• Some phytochemicals in black pepper may interact with synthetic Chemicals of Allopathy
• Please contact your doctor for more information
• You can maintain a 30-minute interval between the two to avoid any interactions.

Interaction with Homoeopathic medicines

Normally Black pepper powder doesn’t interact with homoeopathic medicines

Consult a doctor for more information

Interaction with Health supplements

• Generally, Maricha Doesn’t interact with health supplements like multivitamins, Omega 3 acids etc.
• If you are prescribed both Maricha and health supplements ask your doctor for their suggestion.
• We suggest our patients maintain a 30-minute interval between the two if both of them are on their prescription list

FAQ

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Conclusion 

Black pepper has been used for many centuries for the preparation of many Ayurvedic medicines and to increase the deliciousness of the diet.

It can help to relieve many health issues like digestion problems excessive cholesterol weight loss skin problems cancer diabetes etc

Using it wisely may help to improve the well-being of the person, so get all the benefits by consuming this in your diet or reach a Healthcare provider to get personally planned treatment with this medicinal herb to get positive results.