Herb of the Week: Pepper Elder

Pepper Elder (Peperomia pellucida) is also known as Shining Bush, Silverbush, Rat-ear, Man-to-man, Clearweed, Clearweed, Crab Claw Herb. This herb has been used in many sub-tropical countries for things from arthritis to gout by many grandmas, aunties, etc. and that list includes fevers and digestive issues. This herb is has anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. Also, the berries from this plant can be used as substitutes for black pepper!

I use this herb in my Aligned Anti-Inflammatory tea and have found it to be really good to relieve arthritic or any joint pain/inflammation. I was introduced to this herb in a a most roundabout way but it's a pretty good story. My husband was having a procedure done at one of our local teaching hospitals and I was reading David Winston's book on Adaptogens. I put the book down on my husband's hospital tray right as his wonderful nurse came over to check his vitals. This nurse looks over at my book and I thought, "Oh no, here we go, someone from western medicine is going to lecture me..." but before I could finish that thought, he smiles at me and asks how I like the book. He goes on to say that he finds natural medicine absolutely fascinating and that western medicine would work so much better if they'd also use natural medicines. Then he told me about his Filipino grandma who used to use this herb for her gout and arthritis in the Philippines called "Batu" and it really worked. I came home that night and did some research and learned that we have this herb here as well and I found some to try it in a tea for my mom who was suffering at night with arthritis in her hips. It worked. So, if you suffer with arthritis or gout, give my tea a try with this herb!

In witchcraft, it's associated with emotional healing, harmony, adaptability, and prosperity. It's also linked to the element of water.