Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine cultivated for its fruit, known as a peppercorn, which is dried and used as a spice and seasoning. Black pepper is the most traded spice and is one of the most common spices added to cuisines around the World.

Ceylon Black Pepper is particularly high in its piperine content. As a result, the taste of Ceylon black pepper is richly aromatic and has a strong pungency. Therefore Ceylon Black Pepper (from Sri Lanka) has a high demand and fetches a premium price worldwide.

Spicer Ceylon black pepper is harvested when berries have turned green and slightly immature. A berry is about 5 mm (0.20 in) in diameter and contains a single seed. Then it’s briefly boiled or blanched and sun-dried for 3-4 days under hygienical conditions taking utmost care preserving its quality and safety. Due to sun drying, the berries turn into black color due to oxidation that occurs during drying.

Apart from its primary use as a food seasoning or a flavoring agent research has been done on the medicinal value of Black Pepper and accordingly Black Pepper:

is a high source of anti-oxidants
has anti-inflammatory properties
maybe good for the brain cells
may improve blood sugar control
may reduce Cholesterol levels
may contain cancer-fighting properties
boosts absorption of nutrition
may promote gut health
may reduce appetite(Courtesy: Healthline)
In Ayurveda, it is administered to patients who suffered from diarrhea, constipation, arthritis, insect bites, and pulmonary and cardiovascular troubles.
In boosting the absorption of Nutrition black pepper is often used in combination with other spices since Piperine increases the bio-availability of many nutrients (such as Calcium, vitamins A and C) and plant compounds such as Curcumin. Therefore it is always recommended to add a pinch of black pepper in turmeric preparation to better absorb the curcumin in Turmeric.
In Chinese Traditional Medicine, pepper is identified as a spice capable of warming the body, used to fight cold and dissolve phlegm. In combination with other warming spices like ginger and cinnamon, it can be used in infusions to treat cold and flu.