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Of course there's more than the black pepper. There's the cayenne pepper, right? Right, but cayenne pepper is a whole other seasoning/herb. The pepper I'm talking about comes from the vine plant, Piperaceae, which is grown in South India. It's the dried fruit of this plant that we use to spice up our food.

The black pepper is made from the unripe berries of the unripened plant. White pepper comes from the seeds alone of this plant once the berries are ripe. Green peeper is achieved like the black pepper but with the finished dried peppercorns being treated to keep the color.

Black pepper is a condiment that is found on almost every table at meal time through the world with its partner, salt. In addition to boosting the flavor of meats, fish, side dishes, stews and soups; it's also used to spice up fruit compotes for desserts. White pepper isn't as common but is used in the cooking of white sauces, mashed potatoes, and other light colored dishes so that the seasoning stays hidden within the food that has been prepared. Green pepper isn't as well known in the Western world but is used often in Asian dishes.

The history of pepper can be traced all the way back to the prehistoric times in India being used as a form of trade the way money is used today.. During the times of ancient Greece and Rome, it was a seasoning only the rich could afford. It wasn't until the last of the Middle Ages that it was used as a spice that was affordable for the common man.

Pepper is one of the herbs that I should be using more often. I had a stroke many years ago that has clouded my focus at times and gives me headaches because my brain keeps on trying to heal itself.. Black pepper lifts the pain of headaches and clears the fogginess in the brain. It also helps with digestive problems like atonic dyspepsia and torbid condition of the stomach. For rheumatoid arthritis, pepper can be administered in two ways. You can drink it as a tea or use the oil of black pepper externally as rub for the areas experiencing the pain.

Pepper's partner, salt is losing its status because of its effect on people with high blood pressure concerns. It's still holding its own very nicely. Pepper has been around for a long time and its popularity just keeps on growing; not only as a seasoning at the dinner table, but as a home remedy as well.

Learn more about this author, Glynis Jolly.
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