Black pepper is one of the most common spices found in every Indian kitchen. Other than making your food fragrant and spicy, it also offers a lot of health benefits. Commonly known to relieve cough and cold, this spice also aids in digestion and has antibiotic properties. It also contains vitamins C, K, magnesium, potassium and iron, and is therefore classified as a medicinal spice. Black pepper benefits for health are many; this includes improving metabolism, treating bacterial infections, easing congestion as well as working as an antidepressant. If you thought black pepper benefits are limited to your health, you are in for a surprise. It turns out this spice is quite beneficial for your hair and skin as well. We know what you are thinking, how can something as spicy as black pepper be used to get good skin and hair? But yes, it is true, the beauty benefits of this spice are unmatched! It has been sitting on your kitchen shelf all along, if only you knew how to use it! That's why today we will not only tell you how it is beneficial for your skin and hair but also some simple ways to use it. But before we move on to that, here a few facts about black pepper. **Did you know? ** Peppercorns are originally green in colour when they are harvested. They obtain the black colour when they are dried in the sun. White pepper, which is equally popular and used in a wide range of foods, is simply black peppercorn without the skin.
01Prevents wrinkles
Premature wrinkles are a common concern among women these days. Poor skincare routines, exposure to UV rays, improper diet, all cause your skin to age faster. While you may be using anti-ageing creams and serums to treat them, you can also harness the benefits of black pepper to help do the same. The antioxidant-rich spice effectively fights free radicals that are responsible for causing wrinkles and saggy skin. Add black peppers to your daily diet to fight the signs of ageing. Alternatively, you can combine a teaspoon of crushed black pepper with equal portions of turmeric and honey. Add a little bit of water to form a smooth paste and use as a mask on your face every alternate day for best results.
02Makes skin soft and radiant
Dust, pollution, oil and other pollutants steal the glow from your skin. Soft, radiant skin often gets hidden below a layer of dead skin cells, which is why it is important to exfoliate your skin at least twice a week. It opens clogged pores and removes deep set dirt to give you glowing and radiant skin in minutes. To get maximum benefits of black pepper for your skin, just add it to your scrub! Add half a teaspoon of black pepper to one teaspoon of yogurt and apply it on your skin. Let it sit for at least 20 minutes before washing. This face pack will not only exfoliate your skin but will also remove toxins and leave you with healthier skin.
03Improves oral health
If you thought the beauty benefits of black pepper are only confined to skin and hair, then you are wrong, because it also helps improve oral health! The anti-inflammatory properties of black pepper are quite beneficial for gum health and other dental issues. It also offers relief from toothache. Simply mix black pepper powder with clove oil and massage your gums and teeth with it to get relief from any aches and improve oral health.
04Treats dandruff
Dandruff is a common hair problem that is caused due to dryness of the scalp. Excessive dandruff can be quite embarrassing. If you have tried pretty much everything and nothing seems to work, try using black pepper to treat it. This natural method will definitely offer relief from dandruff and reduce it with each application. In a bowl of curds, add a teaspoon of crushed black pepper and apply to the scalp, let it stay for 30 minutes before washing off with water. Avoid using shampoo, if you have to wash your hair do so the next day. Try this remedy only once a week as overdoing it can cause your scalp to burn.
05Makes hair shiny and lustrous
If your hair lacks shine and lustre, the benefits of black pepper can help with that as well. An ounce of this amazing spice can do wonders for your health, skin and hair. To infuse life back into your dry hair, mix a teaspoon each of crushed black pepper and lemon juice and apply to the hair and scalp. Allow it to stay for 10-15 minutes before washing with water. This will cleanse the scalp thoroughly as well as make your hair shiny and lustrous.
06Strengthens hair
Want stronger hair that does not break off easily? Do you want to strengthen hair from the roots? Black pepper might help with that too! The vitamins and minerals in black pepper can be quite beneficial for the health of your hair. You can either add it to your daily diet to reap the benefits of black pepper or you can apply the following paste to your scalp. Mix equal amounts of crushed black pepper and honey and massage it at the roots, this will promote blood circulation and strengthen hair from the roots to give you stronger, healthier hair.
07FAQs about Black Pepper:
Q. What are the medicinal uses of black pepper?
**A. **Black pepper is widely used for medicinal purposes, due to its potent antibacterial properties. It offers relief from cold, cough, infections, insect bites and other gastrointestinal issues.
Q. How do I add black pepper to your daily diet?
**A. **Crushed black pepper can be added to a lot of foods such as salads, soups, boiled eggs and more. You can also sprinkle it on fruits, for a tasty salad option.
Q. Does black pepper help in losing weight?
**A. **Piperine, the pungent component found in black pepper blocks the formation of new fat cells and thereby may help fight fat and reduce weight.
