Black pepper (Piper nigrum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, where it is sometimes used as a remedy for various ailments, including joint pain and inflammation—symptoms commonly associated with arthritis. Traditional practices attribute these effects to its ability to "stimulate circulation" and "reduce toxins," although these explanations are not rooted in modern scientific understanding.

Modern research identifies piperine, the main active compound in black pepper, as possessing anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory and animal studies. Piperine has been shown to inhibit certain pro-inflammatory mediators and pathways, which could, in theory, be beneficial for inflammatory conditions like arthritis. However, the scientific evidence in humans is limited and preliminary. The majority of available studies have not directly assessed the efficacy of black pepper or piperine for arthritis relief in clinical settings. Most human research has focused on piperine's ability to enhance the bioavailability of other compounds (such as curcumin), rather than its direct effects on arthritis.

In summary, while black pepper is traditionally used for joint pain and inflammation in some cultures, scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for arthritis in humans is minimal. The use of black pepper for arthritis is therefore primarily justified by tradition, with a low level of scientific evidence (rated 1 on the scale).