Sichuan Pepper Nutrition

Sichuan pepper contains many different minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients that the body requires to properly function. Some of the most important components include potassium, vitamin A, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and phosphorous. This is in addition to a wide variety of phytosterols, terpenes, and carotenes.


Benefits of sichuan pepper are as follows:

Stimulate Circulation
If you have ever felt lethargic, lightheaded or weak without any real explanation, you may have been suffering from anemia. Otherwise known as iron deficiency, anemia is one of the most common health problems. Fortunately, the high levels of iron found in sichuan pepper will help ensure that there is enough hemoglobin in your body to oxygenate your red blood cells and stimulate the circulatory system.

Reduce Pain
Although people associate peppers with spice and heat, most pepper varietals actually function as analgesic substances. Chemicals found in sichuan peppers can occupy pain receptors, thus eliminating the nervous system from generating discomfort or pain. This isn’t a cure for pain, but it is a wonderful treatment. This applies to topical applications as well.

Improve Immunity
High levels of zinc found in sichuan peppers mean that this potent spice is important for the strength of the immune system. Many people overlook zinc and ignore its impressive effects in boosting our immune system. There are also few signs of zinc deficiency, so it can easily go unnoticed. The volatile oil of sichuan pepper is also packed with antioxidants and other chemicals that have anti-fungal and antiviral qualities, making this pepper variety particularly effective.

Aid in Appetite
If you are recovering from an injury or illness, it can often be difficult to get your appetite back on track. However, when your body is healing and repairing, that is when you need nutrients the most! Various compounds within sichuan pepper will stimulate the appetite and improve the speed of the metabolism, meaning that you will derive energy and nutrients from the food you eat even faster.

Strengthen the Bones
There are quite a few important minerals found in trace amounts within sichuan pepper, including phosphorus, manganese, copper, and iron, all of which are necessary to build strong bones and prevent age-related conditions like osteoporosis. Our body’s bone mineral density decreases as we age, so it is important to supplement our mineral intake whenever possible; sichuan peppers are very helpful in that department.

Eliminate Inflammation
The various antioxidants and organic acids in sichuan pepper, including phytosterols and terpenes, have certain anti-inflammatory effects throughout the body. Inflammation results from oxidative stress, which in turn is caused by free radical activity in the body. The compounds found in sichuan pepper can neutralize these free radicals and stop inflammation at the root. It is also an effective remedy for existing inflammation issues, such as arthritis and gout.

Protect the Stomach
When it comes to digestive health, sichuan peppers can stimulate the process and speed it up, while reducing inflammation in the gut and stimulating the metabolism. The various compounds in sichuan pepper can prevent cramping, bloating, and constipation, which can prevent more serious conditions, such as gastric ulcers.

Lower Blood Pressure
The significant levels of potassium found in sichuan pepper make this spice an excellent booster for cardiovascular health. Potassium functions as a vasodilator, causing blood vessels and arteries to relax, preventing high blood pressure and lowering the potential effect of blood clots of cholesterol. By lowering blood pressure, sichuan pepper is able to protect against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.

Vision Health
There are a number of antioxidants and vitamins found in sichuan pepper that can improve human health, and when it comes to our vision, few things are as powerful as beta-carotene. This powerful antioxidant can reduce oxidative stress in the ocular system and keep the retina healthy, while also reducing your risk of macular degeneration and vision loss.


How to-
Suggest lightly toasting the tiny seed pods, then crushing them before adding them to food as spice.
** Store in a cool & dry place.

산초, 천초, 제피

초피나무(제피나무)의 열매로 어린잎과 열매는 식재료로, 껍질은 주로 향신료로 쓰이며 특유의 맛과 향이 있습니다.
한국에서는 주로 민물고기의 냄새를 없애는데 주로 쓰입니다.
산초, 초피, 계피를 헷갈리는 경우도 있는데, 초피는 산초의 일종으로 열매이며 산초가 조금 옅은 매운 맛이 나는 한편 초피는 씹어보면 대번에 입이 마비되는 강렬한 맛이 있으며, 계피(시나몬)는 나무 껍데기를 먹는 것입니다.
또한 후추와는 다른게 후추는 열매를 갈아쓰지만 초피는 껍질을 갈아씁니다.
그걸 모르는 사람들이 초피열매를 선물받고는 껍질은 버리고 열매만 갈아서 요리에 쓰고는 맛이 없다고 하는 경우도 있습니다.

산초는 지루성 두피염에도 탁월한 효과가 있으며 탈모예방에도 좋은 성분을 가지고 있습니다.
동의보감에서는 산초를 진초라고 하며, 그 유래와 효능을 이렇게 설명하고 있습니다.
"진나라 땅에서 나기 때문에 진초라고 합니다.
사전성에서 나는것을 촉초, 천초 라고 하고 (초피나무를 의미함), 관중, 협서에서 나는것을 진초라고 합니다.
효능은 따뜻하며 맛은 맥고 독이 있습니다.
문둥병으로 감각이 아주 없는 것을 낫게 하며 이빨을 튼튼하게 하고 머리털을 빠지지 않게 합니다.
눈을 밝게 하고 냉으로 오는 복통과 이질을 낫게 합니다.
또한 동의보감에서 구충과 살균작용, 소화불량에 효능이 있다고 알려져 있습니다.

산초 효능
-면역력 향상
-살균, 해독작용
-신경쇠약
-두통
-노폐물 배출
-진통효과
-소화촉진
-피부염증

산초의 영어 이름은 china pepper입니다. 쉐프가 추천하는 향신료 54선에도 이름이 올려져있습니다.
산초를 먹는 방법은,
-어린싹을 나물로 무쳐먹거나 김치를 담가 먹기도 합니다.
-생선 조리시에 비린내를 잡기 위해 넣기도 합니다.
-산초가루는 후추처럼 양념으로 사용하며 대표적으로 추어탕에 넣습니다.
-산초기름을 내러 부침이나 나물 무침에 사용하거나 약용으로 쓰이기도 합니다.
-어린산초 열매를 간장 장아찌로 담아 먹기도 합니다.
-그외에도 산초술, 산초차로도 먹습니다.