Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Just fifteen minutes of inhalation with Piper nigrum essential oil significantly reduced pain in the 25 participating subjects.
Pain is the most common reason people seek out medical help and pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined 1. Pain is also the most common cause of long term disability and a major contributor to medical costs in the United States 1. A recent research study showed inhaling the essential oil Piper nigrum decreased pain compared to placebo 2.
Piper nigrum is commonly known as black pepper and originates from South India and Sri Lanka 2. Piper nigrum has a chemical component (Beta-caryophyllene) that gives it an anesthetic or pain relieving property 2,3. Research has also shown that volatile oils or essential oils of plants can cross to blood-brain barrier in the brain, having a direct effect on the brain and body 2.
The recent research included 54 participants that all presented to the hospital with pain. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: the Piper nigrum essential oil group (n=25) or the placebo group (sesame oil, n=29) 2. The participants, of whom 64.8% were female, ranged in age from 18-73 years with an average age of 39.9 years 2.
Participants were instructed to inhale the vial of oil for 15 minutes while in the hospital. Neither the participants nor the researcher knew which oil the participants had received. The participants rated their pain intensity before and after inhalation 2.
The results were as follows based on a scale of 0-10 (0=no pain, 10=max pain):
| Median Pain intensity & (range) before inhalation | Median Pain intensity & (range) after inhalation | |
|---|---|---|
| Piper nigrum group | 6 (3-10) | 3 (0-8) |
| Placebo group | 7 (3-10 | 6 (3-10) |
Due to the small number of participants in the study the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test was used. The Mann-Whitney non-parametric test is used in small sample sizes to determine statistical significance. The results were as follows and did show statistical significance:
| Pain intensity before inhalation | Pain intensity after inhalation | |
|---|---|---|
| Piper nigrum group | 27.7 | 17.70* |
| Placebo group | 27.33 | 35.95 |
*P>0.05
In conclusion, inhalation of Piper nigrum essential oil for 15 minutes can significantly reduce pain 2. This was a small study, but researchers felt the results were promising and warrant further research with more participants and consideration of longer inhalation times of Piper nigrum essential oil 2.
Source: Costa, R., J. Machado, and C. Abreu. “Evaluation of Analgesic Properties of Piper Nigrum Essential Oil: a Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study.” World Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2.2 (2016): 60-64.
© World Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com
References:
- NIH. Pain Management: NIH Fact Sheet. 2017; Overview of Pain Management, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Available at: https://report.nih.gov/nihfactsheets/ViewFactSheet.aspx?csid=57. Accessed June 6, 2017, 2017.
- Costa R, Machado J, Abreu C. Evaluation of Analgesic Properties of Piper Nigrum Essential Oil: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. World Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2016;2(2):60-64.
- Ahmad N, Fazal H, Abbasi BH, Farooq S, Ali M, Khan MA. Biological role of Piper nigrum L.(Black pepper): A review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2012;2(3):S1945-S1953.
