BLACK PEPPER (King of Spices)

Origin: Malabar Coast of Southern India

Cooking

Add ground black pepper towards the end of the cooking process to retain its aroma and flavor.

Digestive Aid

Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper on meals, or take a small amount with warm water.

In Beauty Treatments

Mix ground black pepper with a carrier oil or honey for a homemade facial scrub.

Ant Repellent

Directly sprinkle a small amount of ground black pepper where you see ants entering to disrupt their scent trails.

Rodent Deterrent

Create a mixture of 1 part ground black pepper and 2 parts flour and sprinkle it around your home's foundation.

Natural Fungicide for Plants

Lightly dust the soil and the base of the plants with a thin layer of the black pepper and flour mix.

Scouring Powder

Mix 1 tablespoon of ground black pepper with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Use the mixture to scrub cookware, then rinse thoroughly.

Depression Treatment

Chew raw black pepper for releasing mood-inducing chemicals to the brain that will keep your mind calm and soothing all the time.

Dye Fixative

Add a teaspoon of ground black pepper to the rinse cycle when washing newly dyed fabrics to help set the color.

Wood Furniture

Mix ground black pepper with a touch of water or oil to form a paste and apply to minor scratches on wood furniture to blend them in.

Keep Pets Off Furniture

Sprinkle black pepper on areas where you don't want pets to sit or lie down, as most animals will avoid the scent.