All through historical past, spices have been attributed with powers past their culinary purposes. This is applicable to the pungent berries of the Piper nigrum plant, believed by some to own protecting and enhancing qualities in varied traditions. For instance, peppercorns is likely to be included in rituals supposed to thrust back negativity or to reinforce prosperity.
The perceived worth of those properties probably stems from the historic rarity and expense of imported spices. Their affiliation with far-off lands imbued them with an air of secrecy and energy. This, coupled with the stimulating and warming results of the spice itself, probably contributed to its symbolic significance in numerous cultures, showing in folks treatments and protecting charms.