White pepper consists of only the inner seed of the pepper berry, with the pericarp removed. To make white pepper, the berry is picked fully ripe. Its outer shrunken skin is rubbed off, exposing the dried, greyish-white pepper inside. This white pepper is dried and sold commercially, in whole and powdered forms. White pepper – and hence, its powder – has a milder, more delicate flavor than black pepper because it contains lesser piperine, the volatile oil that gives pepper its characteristic flavour (1). It is useful for adding a peppery flavour to light-colored sauces and soups. White pepper is preferred in Europe, especially France, and is also popular in Japan.

Benefits of white pepper for health, skin, and hair

White pepper health benefits

Prevents Stomach Ulcers

Consumption of white pepper can kill ulcer-causing bacteria in the stomach and intestines so is white pepper benefits in preventing stomach ailments such as ulcers and stomach aches.

Cures Cough

White pepper powder with a little bit of raw honey gives relief from cough. Raw honey and white pepper combine to have anti-biotic properties and also generate heat. This is among the most used white pepper health benefits.

Decongestant

The heat generated by white pepper can help one clear the nasal tract and relieve nasal congestion. It also fights nasal tract infections by cleaning the air ducts and thus helps one in breathing properly.

Relieves Headache

White pepper benefits are also quite helpful in treating headaches.

White pepper for Weight Loss

Pepper helps in burning the fats inside the body and thus helps in losing weight due to the presence of capsaicin.

Pain Relieving

White pepper, or in fact all peppers contain capsaicin, a hot substance that generates heat. This property of white pepper is utilized by using it in pain-relieving gels and sprays.

Black Pepper Benefits and black pepper uses for health, skin, and hair

Promote Heart Health

White pepper has heat-generating properties, it causes one to sweat a lot, leads to flush out excess fluids from the body. Too many fluids in the body, especially around the heart, can put a strain on the heart and affect its functioning properly. It could even lead to water retention in the body, along with difficulty in breathing due to the excessive pressure on the lungs. Hence, to flush out the excess fluids from the body, it is important to consume white pepper.

Improves Digestion

White pepper health benefits stimulate the taste buds to send a signal to the stomach to secrete hydrochloric acid, which is essential for the digestion of food.

Blood Sugar Control

A mixture of white pepper with fenugreek seeds powder and turmeric, when consumed with a glass of milk each day, can help in bringing down the sugar levels. It is helpful for most of the diabetics. Very important among white pepper health benefits (2).

Cures Toothache

White pepper powder is known to provide relief from toothaches when used in combination with clove oil or table salt.

Good source of Mineral

White pepper is rich in flavonoids, and Vitamins A, K and C. It contains a large quantity of manganese, iron, and dietary fibers.

White pepper benefits for skin

For Removal of Unwanted Hair

Mix white pepper powder and camphor with almond oil and allow the mixture to stay on the skin for 10-15 minutes. It helps in the removal of the hair permanently. However, one should try this method on a small part of the skin to see if it suits one’s skin type or not. Later it can be tried on the legs and arms.

Wrinkle Removal

Due to the high content of anti-oxidants in white pepper, it is a wonderful remedy from fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots, which are some of the prominent signs of aging.

Exfoliation

Use freshly crushed white pepper for this purpose as the use of this scrub helps remove the toxins from the skin to attain soft and radiant skin. At the same time, due to the anti-oxidant properties of pepper, it would promote the circulation of blood and oxygen in the skin making it more energized and fresh-looking.

Skin Cancer Prevention

The uses of white pepper or black pepper powder on the skin can prevent it from the dangerous UV rays of the sun that can cause skin cancer and other skin ailments. But consult a doctor as it won’t suit all skin types.

White pepper benefits for hair

Hair Revitalizer

White pepper also works as a hair revitalizer when used in combination with lemon seeds. Apply the mixture on the hair and leave for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off to make your hair shiny, lustrous and soft.

For Dandruff

Combine white pepper with curd and apply this mixture on the scalp. Wash off the mixture with water after half an hour of application. Do not allow the mixture to stay for more time as it could burn the scalp skin.