Essential NosePepper
Black pepper essential oil is dominated by sesquiterpenes — beta-caryophyllene (up to 35%), delta-3-carene, and limonene — alongside monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. A systematic review of Piper nigrum confirms a broad pharmacological spectrum including anticancer, antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities.[1] Black pepper EO has also been shown to affect gene networks closely linked to metabolism, inflammation, tissue remodelling, and cancer signalling pathways in human cell models.[2]
Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
- Also Known As
- Pepper, Peppercorn
- Family
- Spice
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Strong
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Dried berries
- Origins
- India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka
- Effect
- Focus & Mental Clarity, Energy & Uplifting
- Aroma
- Spicy, Warm, Sharp
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Massage, Perfumery, Medicinal, Culinary
- Price
- $$$$While the spice is common, the oil yield is relatively low compared to the weight of the dried peppercorns
Black pepper essential oil is dominated by sesquiterpenes — beta-caryophyllene (up to 35%), delta-3-carene, and limonene — alongside monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. A systematic review of Piper nigrum confirms a broad pharmacological spectrum including anticancer, antidiabetic, hypolipidaemic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory activities.[1] Black pepper EO has also been shown to affect gene networks closely linked to metabolism, inflammation, tissue remodelling, and cancer signalling pathways in human cell models.[2]
Pink Pepper
Schinus terebinthifolius
- Also Known As
- Brazilian Pepper, Pink Peppercorn, Rose Pepper, Florida Holly
- Family
- Spice
- Perfumery Note
- Top
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Berries
- Origins
- Brazil, Reunion Island, Madagascar, United States
- Effect
- Energy & Uplifting, Grounding & Centering
- Aroma
- Warm, Spicy, Fresh, Fruity, Woody
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Perfumery, Massage, Skincare
- Price
- $$$$Schinus terebinthifolius is considered invasive in Florida and parts of the tropics; abundant berry supply and high oil yield per kilogram make this one of the more accessible specialty oils
Pink pepper essential oil is steam-distilled from the ripe berries of Schinus terebinthifolius, a fast-growing evergreen tree of the Anacardiaceae family native to Brazil and widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions that bears no botanical relation to true black pepper (Piper nigrum) despite sharing a similar culinary role as a peppery-fruity spice. GC-MS profiling reveals a composition dominated by a-pinene, sabinene, d-3-carene, and b-caryophyllene — a monoterpene-rich profile that gives the oil its characteristic bright, warm, slightly resinous freshness with fruity undertones quite distinct from the piperine-driven heat of black pepper. Research confirms broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity: Schinus terebinthifolius essential oil demonstrated effective antiparasitic and antimicrobial action against a range of fish and shrimp aquaculture pathogens including Aeromonas hydrophila and Gyrodactylus sp., with minimum inhibitory concentrations comparable to standard pharmaceutical references, and a separate study confirmed the oil's efficacy against post-harvest fungal contamination in bean grain storage.[3][4]
Pepper Green
Piper nigrum
- Also Known As
- Green Pepper, Green Peppercorn
- Family
- Spice
- Perfumery Note
- Middle
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Unripe (green) berries
- Origins
- India, Madagascar, Vietnam
- Effect
- Focus & Mental Clarity, Energy & Uplifting
- Aroma
- Spicy, Green, Fresh, Sharp
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Massage, Perfumery, Culinary
- Price
- $$$$Harvested unripe and processed quickly to preserve its brighter monoterpene profile; more labor-intensive than sun-dried black pepper
Pepper Green is distilled from unripe Piper nigrum berries rather than the sun-dried, fermented berries used for black pepper. Storage studies of pepper at different ripening states found green pepper oil carries far more oxygenated terpenoids (up to 22%) than dried black pepper oil (6.3%), with monoterpenes such as limonene, beta-pinene and delta-3-carene making up a larger share alongside beta-caryophyllene, giving a fresher, greener character.[5] Beta-caryophyllene itself is a well-studied CB2-receptor agonist shown to reduce inflammatory and neuropathic pain in animal models.[6]
References
- [1]A systematic review on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): from folk uses to pharmacological applications — Meghwal M et al. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2019
- [2]Black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil demonstrates tissue remodeling and metabolism modulating potential in human cells — Butt MS et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018
- [3]Exploring the antiparasitic and antimicrobial potential of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi essential oil against fish and shrimp pathogens — Pereira JA Junior, Dos Santos GG, Costa DS et al. Journal of Fish Diseases, 2024
- [4]Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi essential oil: chemical composition and action on the quality of bean grains — Andrade JCA, Ferreira CA, Alves DR et al. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 2025
- [5]Effect of storage on the essential oil composition of Piper nigrum L. fruits of different ripening states - Orav A, Stulova I, Kailas T, Muurisepp M. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004
- [6]The cannabinoid CB2 receptor-selective phytocannabinoid beta-caryophyllene exerts analgesic effects in mouse models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain - Klauke AL, Racz I, Pradier B, Markert A, Zimmer AM, Gertsch J, Zimmer A. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2014