3 Medicinal Uses of Black Pepper 1.Black Pepper Aids Digestion Like many aromatic kitchen herbs, black pepper is considered a carminative in Western herbalism, and in Ayurveda black pepper is known to enkindle agni, the digestive fire (Lad, 1984). These actions are likely due to the taste of black pepper on the tongue triggering the stomach to release hydrochloric acid, which is needed to digest protein, and pepper’s ability to stimulate digestive enzymes in the pancreas (Srinivasan, 2007). 2. Black Pepper is an Antioxidant A constituent in black pepper, piperine, protects against oxidative damage by inhibiting free radicals and reactive oxygen species, as well as positively influencing antioxidant enzymes (Vasanthi, 2010). 3. Cold and Flu Remedy Black pepper and honey is a traditional Ayurvedic approach to respiratory congestion, helping to expectorate and dry up mucus membranes (Frawley, 1986). In Western herbalism, it is used in