Black pepper is used for seasoning, cooking, and even as a personal defense spray. It is a popular spice that has been used for thousands of years, dating back to prehistoric times, and today no kitchen is complete without a box of black pepper.
In addition to its important role in food, black pepper has many other uses that are not related to the kitchen at all. From preserving the color of clothes to treating dandruff, here are 12 special uses of black pepper that you should know and try.
Preserve Clothing Color
When we wash clothes, they lose their original brightness and their color fades over time.
To maintain the fresh color of your clothes, add a teaspoon of ground black pepper to the washing machine and run it as usual.
The clothes will look new and keep their vibrant color for a long time.
Keep Ants Out of the Kitchen
No matter how much we clean the kitchen, ants always seem to find a forgotten crumb and swarm it quickly.
To prevent this problem, simply use black pepper sprinkle it where you have seen ants and watch them disappear in no time.
Natural Treatment for Invasive Insects
Growing colorful indoor plants or vegetables in your garden often comes with the problem of harmful insects. To get rid of these pests naturally without spraying chemicals on your plants, use black pepper. Mix flour with black pepper and sprinkle the mixture on the soil where your plants grow.
The pepper prevents insect entry and egg laying, keeping pests away permanently.
Since it is a natural pesticide, it does this organically without harming plants or the food you eat.
Stop Bleeding from Small Cuts
Sometimes we get small cuts from paper or other objects, causing bleeding and pain.
To stop bleeding from minor cuts, use black pepper to block the blood flow and help the wound heal faster wash the area, sprinkle black pepper and cover with a bandage. The bleeding will stop quickly, allowing faster healing.
Keep Rodents Away from Electrical Cables
Rodents are notorious for chewing electrical cables, causing damage and short circuits in homes.
To keep these pests away, sprinkle and rub black pepper on cables to protect them.
Relieve Joint Pain
Black pepper has medical properties due to antioxidants and a compound called piperine, which research in 2009 found to reduce inflammation and relieve pain such as joint pain.
Prepare a natural massage mixture with almond oil, black pepper oil, ginger oil and lavender oil. Massage the mixture on the affected joints to feel relief quickly.
Headache Relief
Daily stress can cause headaches or migraines.
To relieve these, add black pepper to meals or drink half a cup of water with half a teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Piperine reduces inflammation and alters the perception of pain, alleviating headaches and helping you function during the day.
Reduce Fever
If you or someone close has a high fever, add black pepper to the daily diet.
Mix a quarter teaspoon of black pepper with half a cup of water and drink it about three times a day. To reduce the spicy taste add some sugar.
Treat Pimples
Cosmetic creams for pimples can be expensive and sometimes cause stronger reactions.
For natural treatment, grind black pepper with water and apply to pimples for 30 minutes.
Wash the mixture off and repeat whenever new pimples appear.
Prevent and Treat Wrinkles
Black pepper’s high antioxidant content protects the skin from aging and wrinkle formation.
Instead of buying expensive serums, include black pepper in your daily diet to enjoy its skin benefits.
Aid Smoking Cessation
Black pepper oil can help reduce nicotine cravings naturally.
Studies show that inhaling black pepper oil vapors decreases the desire to smoke, supporting the quitting process.
Treat Dandruff
Dandruff results from scalp irritation causing skin peeling.
Black pepper contains zinc and selenium, which strengthen hair fibers and prevent dandruff.
Mix black pepper with anti-inflammatory yogurt and apply to affected areas for an hour, then wash normally to see results in a few days.
To enjoy the full benefits, choose high-quality black pepper and store it properly. Ground pepper is good, but whole peppercorns are better for multiple uses because their protective coating preserves them. Store in an airtight glass jar in a dry, dark place. Ground pepper lasts about three months, but whole peppercorns can last for years if stored correctly.