HERB OF THE WEEK: Black Pepper

Ok, so it's already Thursday, and we're just now taking the time to blog about our Herb of the Week. But, this little powerhouse of a pepper is a good one! Black pepper seems like one of those things that's just so commonplace it's often overlooked. With so many peppers to choose from, and each recipe seemingly more fancy than the next, black pepper just isn't getting the attention we think it deserves. It has been used medicinally for centuries by Buddhists, Ayurvedic practitioners, and perhaps even the ancient Egyptians. Ramesses II's mummy was found with black peppercorns stuffed in the nostrils. We won't go quite that far, but here is our own little Ode to Black Pepper.

WHY WE LOVE IT

1. It's delicious! Paired with a dash of salt, generously shaken on meat or tofu, or as a tasty added kick to homemade chai.

2. It has long been used to aid in digestion and relieve stomach ailments from gas to constipation. Consuming pepper stimulates the production of digestive enzymes and stomach acid, promoting better food digestion and shorter gastrointestinal food transit times.

3. Well-known for its sneeze-inducing properties, black pepper is great for clearing nasal congestion or relieving sinusitis.

4. The essential oil of black pepper is used to improve circulation and treat pain.

5. And perhaps the coolest benefit of all: Piperine, a compound found in black pepper, increases the bioavailability of a large number of nutrients. So, by adding black pepper to your meal, you're not only giving it an extra tasty kick, but you're actually boosting your body's ability to use all the good stuff that's in it.

So, not only does black pepper come complete with its own impressive list of direct health benefits, it helps you benefit from a variety of other foods and nutrients as well. A true team player! It doesn't get much better than that.