Botanical name: Piper nigrum Sanskrit name: Maricha Family: Piperaceae Part used: fruit Taste (rasa): Pungent and bitter Energy (veerya): Heating Charasteristic (guna): Light, dry, penetrating Post-digestive effect (vipak): Sweet (when green) Dosha effect: VK-, P+ Action (karma): Improves appetite, stimulates digestion,  destroys ama (toxins), expectorant, anthelmintic, reduces fevers Dosage: 1-5g/day

Black pepper is warming, drying and stimulating to the circulatory, digestive and respiratory systems.  It is a short-term bioavailability enhancer, increasing nutrient absorption.