1. Names:

Sanskrit:	Marica		Enlarge photo Enlarge photo
English:	Black Pepper
Botanical:	Piper nigrum
Hindi:	Kalimirc
Telugu:	Miriyalu
Common names:	Poivre, Pfeffer, Pepe nero, Pimienta negra, filfil, Gol/kala, Merica hitam, Meritja, Phik noi, Lada hitam, Prik ki, Tai, Kurumilagu, Kalomirich, Karimenasu
Family name:	Myristicaceae

2. Parts used:

• Seeds

3. Properties and Action According to Indigenous Medical Systems:

• Rasa: Katu.
• Vipaka: Mathura.
• Veerya: Ushna.

4. Uses:

(Culinary)

• It is good ingredient in food.
• It adds aroma to food.
• Papadums with pepper are delicious.
• A paste of green peppercorns, cinnamon and garlilc is good sauce for fish.

(Medicinal)

• Stomachic; carminative; aromatic stimulant; antibacterial; diaphoretic in nature.
• It stimulates taste-buds, secretions.
• It improves digestion.
• Cures gastro-intestinal disorders.
• It calms nausea and raises body temperature.
• Along with some herbs it acts as an effective remedy for fevers and chills.

5. Names due to Physical properties:

• Valleeja: Creeper.

6. Names due to Medical properties:

• Vishaghni, mareecha: Removes poison.

7. Reference:

Bhavaprakashika, Vangacena, Charakasamhita, Vagvatamu, Hareetasamhita, Srijanakalpavalli.

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