Black pepper is considered one of the great tonics in Chinese medicine for its warming, energizing, and stimulating properties. This is due to peppers ability to stimulate the sense and warm the body. It's recommended that one uses lack peppercorns in a decoction for poor circulation, cold, and low energy levels. Black pepper can also be applied directly to cuts to stem the bleeding.
A paste of ground peppercorns and honey is apparently a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for sore throat.
"the qualities of these bacteria, like the heat of the sun, electricity, or the qualities of metals, are part of the storehouse of knowledge of all men. They are manifestations of the laws of nature, free to all men and reserved exclusively to none." SCOTUS, Funk Bros. Seed Co. v. Kale Inoculant Co.