Magickal Properties of Black Pepper for Herbalism & Witchcraft

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Lore & History of Black Pepper

Black pepper is a perennial, woody, climbing, spreading vine native to tropical environments such as India and Southeast Asia.

The Ancient Egyptians used pepper as part of concoctions for toothpaste and cosmetics. Cleopatra is said to have skin lotions made of black pepper. It was considered valuable enough to provide for the afterlife. Containers of peppercorns have been found in Egyptian tombs, including the nostrils of Ramses II. 

Pepper was in such high demand in the Medieval Ages that people began calling it "black gold," only to be encouraged by the myth that poisonous snakes guarded pepper trees.

It is most known within folk medicine for its properties as a stimulant, anti-fungal antibacterial, and aphrodisiac. It is also known to be used as an abortifacient. It is high in antioxidants and has a stimulating, warming effect on the digestive and circulatory systems.

Pepper has multiple planetary associations depending on the occult doctrine and usage. Mars due to its heat and quickness; Mercury due to its stimulating mental effects; and Venus due to its aphrodisiac stimulation.

In folk medicine in Egypt, peppercorn is used to help impotence. In China, pepper is often used to help treat colds.

In some Islamic magic, forty black peppercorns can be burned to help bridge discourse between people.

Scattering peppercorns on the floor is thought to confuse evil spirits, causing them to become occupied with counting seeds.

In Transylvania, black peppercorns were made into charms to prevent the evil eye.  

Magickal Attributes of Black Pepper

Cinnamon carries masculine energy related to the fire element and the planet Mars. This is shown through it's magickal attributes of action and strength.

Its occult attributes range and include: Banishing, Courage, Energy, Exorcism, Motivation, Power, Purification, Protection, Speed, Strength

Magickal Uses of Black Pepper

• Sprinkle black pepper & salt around doorways and windows to protect unwanted visitors. 

• Add to protective foods to help protect against sickness and unwanted energies

• Add peppercorns in an amulet or sachet to promote self-confidence and ward off jealousy

• Dab some black pepper oil to protect against the evil eye

• Add to spells you want to amplify or speed up

• Add in spellwork where you wish to confuse your enemies

• Add oil to feet to motivate and give yourself vitality

• Serve food with black pepper to someone you wish to collaborate 

• Use black pepper to remove feelings of jealousy

• Throw a sprinkle of pepper after guests when they leave to keep a guest from returning.

• Add black pepper oil to cleaning supplies to help spiritually and physically cleanse a space. 

Medicinal Actions of Black Pepper

When it comes to herbal formulas, black pepper is often used to help enhance their effectiveness by helping the body assimilate. A good example is using black pepper's help the body take in the anti-inflammatory constituent in tumeric. Please take note, that this can result in altering medications in uwanted ways.

In Ayurveda, black pepper is considered to assist agni (our digestion and metabolism), excellent for burning up toxicity in our bodies to open up and allow them to receive the needed nutrients and energy.

Energetically, black pepper is drying & warming.

Herbal Actions: Alterative, Anthelmintic, Anti-inflammatory, Anticarcinogenic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Aperient, Carminative, Circulatory Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Digestive Stimulant, Diuretic, Expectorant, Vasodilator.

*Safety: Pepper should be used cautionally with signs or excess heat (pitta) or inflammatory conditions. Only culinary amounts should be used when pregnant. Black pepper may alter drug absorption and should be used with caution and the guidance of a physician.

Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. St Leonards, Nsw., Dorling Kindersley, 2001.

Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. Woodbury, Mn., Llewellyn Publications, 2013.

---. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Wicca in the Kitchen. Llewellyn Worldwide, 8 Apr. 2012.

Giesecke, Annette, and P Ovidius Naso. The Mythology of Plants : Botanical Lore from Ancient Greece and Rome. Los Angeles, Ca, J. Paul Getty Museum, 2014.

Hoffmann, David. Medical Herbalism : The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vt., Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Schulke, Daniel, and Benjamin Vierling. The Green Mysteries an Occult Herbarium. Three Hands Pr, 2017.

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