Pepper black (piper negrum)*

Description
A perennial, woody vine which has vine shaped leaves and wonderful white flowers which turn into berries (peppercorns).
Characteristics
Very sharp and spicy with hot spicy and fiery top notes and a warm sharp woody oriental undertone.
Oils to Blend with
Black Pepper blends well with other spicy oils, blend carefully so as not to over power. Oils which work well with Black Pepper are Basil, Bergamot, Cypress, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Palmarosa, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Latin Name
Piper nigrum

Plant Family
Piperacae

Extraction Method
Just before the berries turn into peppercorns (nearly ripe), the berries are crushed and the essential oil is extracted by steam distillation.

Country of Origin
India

Chemical Constituents
Eugenol, Myristicin, Safrole (Phenol), Bisabolene, Camphene, Farnesene, Limonene, Myrcene, Phellandrene, Pinene, Sabinene, Selinene, Thujene (Terpenes), Caryophyllene (Sesquiterpene)

Precautions
Too much Black Pepper may over stimulate the kidneys. Possibility of skin irritation so do not use more than 3 drops in a bath and more than 2% in massage oils.