Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where it is employed to support digestion and sometimes to address infections or "cold" conditions. Its traditional use for infections is based on its perceived ability to stimulate the body's internal heat and enhance the bioavailability of other herbs, rather than direct antimicrobial activity. Historically, black pepper was believed to help "break up" phlegm, stimulate circulation, and clear toxins, which were sometimes associated with infectious processes.

From a scientific perspective, black pepper contains piperine, which has demonstrated mild antimicrobial properties in laboratory (in vitro) studies. Piperine has shown activity against certain bacteria and fungi; however, these results have not translated into robust clinical evidence supporting its use as a standalone treatment for infections in humans. The majority of research focuses on its ability to enhance the absorption of other compounds, such as curcumin from turmeric, rather than direct infection-fighting properties. Therefore, while black pepper is traditionally used to "support" the body during infection, scientific validation for its direct antimicrobial efficacy in humans is limited, and its rating for this indication is low.

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