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Peppercorn

Fire Balls

Such epithets, like pepper,
Give zest to what you write,
And, if you strew them sparely,
They whet the appetite:
But if you lay them on too thick,
You spoil the matter quite!

Lewis Carroll

This spicy character grows as a spreading, woody vine. He likes tropical climates and has a kind of gnarly look. He is like a cantankerous writer, with his ideas spreading into whatever soil is nearby. Preferring to climb rough-barked trees, he can top out at about 13 feet but usually is satisfied closer to 8 feet. This is an excellent quality for a writer, knowing that just enough is better than a lack of editing. His leaves are simple, leathery, and alternate with a dark green topside countered by a whitish green undercarriage. He is inclined toward many layers of meaning, and should not be only known for his surface layer. There is a strong spine to his leaves, alluding to the rigid side of his personality. A single stem may produce 20-30 flowering spikes, which extend horizontally. The flowers pollinate with the use of gravity and will take about a week to bloom fully. Like an idea for a great book, this is only the first stage of production. The fruit, called a drupe, will appear about 9 months after the flower has blossomed. Before they reach maturity, the drupes are collected and dried. Once they are dried, they take on their pen-name of peppercorn.

The Magic of Peppercorn

Correspondences

Element: Fire
Gender: Masculine
Sabbat: Mabon
Planet: Mars
Chakra: Heart

Spellwork

Banish
Protect
Stop Gossip
Strength
Jealousy

Proverb

Russian: Heart with pepper, soul with garlic.

The Medicine of Peppercorn

Ayurvedic

Ayurveda Name: Kalimirch or Maricha
Vata: Pacify
Kapha: Pacify
Pitta: Increase
Taste: Spicy, Heat

Herbology

Stimulant
Antipyretic
Carminative
Anti-inflammatory
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial

Adult Dose:  ⅛ tsp with food or in tea

TCM

TCM Name: Hu jiao
Botanical Name: Fructus Piperis
Common Name: Pepper
Energy: Hot
Flavor: Pungent, Acrid
Organs: Large Intestine, Stomach
Movement: Warms, disperses Cold, relieves pain

Science of Peppercorn

Botany

Botanical Name: Piper nigrum
Family: Piperaceae (Pepper Family)
Type of Plant: Perennial Vine
Habitat: Deep, wet soil, part sun
Zone: 12
Bloom Time: Seasonally
Height: 10-15 feet
Spread: 10-15 feet
Propagation: Cuttings
Harvest: When 1-2 clusters of fruit begin to turn red
Part Used: Fruit
Constituents: Piperine, Flavonoids, Aromatics
Native Region: India
Sustainability: Good

Leaf

Structure: Simple
Arrangement: Alternate
Shape: Oval
Length: 8-24 inches
Margins: Entire
Surface: Leathery

Flower

Inflorescence: Simple, Regular
Sexuality: Imperfect dioecious
Stamen: 2-4
Pistil: Star-shaped, white
Color: Yellow-green
Size: 3 mm

Sacred Story

It may surprise you to know that garlic is not the only repellent to vampires. According to ancient myths, peppercorns also held that power. If being pursued or threatened by a vampire, simply leave out a pile or bowl of peppercorns. The vampire is compelled to stop and count each one. Ideally, this should take the vampire all night long allowing for the sun to rise and fry the fiend. Side note: If the vampire is your friend, perhaps you should avoid leaving pepper on the table and instead hide it in a kitchen cabinet.