Sichuan pepper and pepper are both common condiments and have high medicinal value. They both belong to the category of herbs that warm the middle jiao and dispel cold, and can be used to treat epigastric and abdominal cold pain, and diarrhea due to deficiency cold of the spleen and stomach. However, the two also have their differences.
Sichuan pepper
Also known as Shujiao or Chuanjiao, it is the dried mature pericarp of the Zanthoxylum bungeanum or Zanthoxylum schinifolium plant, a shrub or small tree in the Rutaceae family. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Sichuan pepper is warm in nature and pungent in taste, and enters the spleen and kidney meridians. In addition to its function of warming the middle jiao and dispelling cold, it also has the effects of killing parasites, relieving pain, and stopping itching.
When Sichuan pepper is stir-fried in hemp oil until slightly charred, it can be used to treat abdominal pain and vomiting caused by roundworms; when Sichuan pepper is boiled with vinegar into a soup and consumed, it can be used to treat biliary ascariasis; a decoction of Sichuan pepper can be used as an enema to treat enterobiasis, and as a mouthwash to treat toothache; a decoction of Sichuan pepper with Sophora flavescens and Kochia scoparia for fumigation and washing can be used for eczema and itching. It should be noted that people with bronchial asthma, diabetes, gout, cancer patients, and pregnant women should use it with caution.
Pepper
Also known as Guyue, Heichuan, or Baichuan, it is the fruit of the Piper nigrum plant, a vine in the Piperaceae family. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that pepper is hot in nature and pungent in taste, and enters the stomach and large intestine meridians. In addition to its function of warming the middle jiao and dispelling cold, it also has the effects of stimulating the appetite, promoting digestion, stopping diarrhea, and detoxification.
When crucian carp is decocted into a soup, adding a little pepper can be used to treat poor appetite and indigestion due to weakness of the spleen and stomach; placing pepper powder in a plaster and applying it to the navel can be used to treat diarrhea caused by cold exposure; soaking white pepper in an appropriate amount of white wine for 7 days and then applying it externally to chilblain areas has a very good effect; taking an appropriate amount of pepper to make a decoction for oral administration can be used to treat abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by poisoning from fish, crab, turtle, or mushrooms. It should be noted that people with high blood pressure, eye diseases, pregnant women, and those with yin deficiency and internal fire should avoid it.