I am reading Eat and Run: My Unlikely Journey to Ultramarathons about and by Scott Jurek. I can’t put it down and I am not a runner. He mentions treating a severely sprained ankle with a compress of black pepper, turmeric, flour and water which, obviously, prompted further research.
My apologies to Black Pepper. 
I’ve known you my entire life, consumed you with barely a nod, considered you merely the other half of salt and pepper. Used you as a flavor-enhancer and then cast you aside. But now I know and am forever changed. I once was blind, but now I see. You are not only one of the most widely traded spices in the world, you are MEDICINE. The holy grail.
anti-inflammatory (I, too, am against inflamation)
anti-bacterial
pro-natural preservative
pro-efficient digestion (as am I)
pro-great skin
anti-mucus and phlegm (I’m so opposed to phlegm)
anti-oxidant
anti-cognitive malfunction (really big on my list)
etc.
On top of all this, the peperine in black pepper increases curcumin absorption by 2000%! And we all know and respect curcumin (as in turmeric).
Back to my apology. I apologize for my indifference and my ignorance.
And “thank you” to the wonders of this abundant EARTH.
vivinolavita 